UNDER THE CLOCK TOWER CITY OF PORTLAND DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER SUMMER, 2013 Jeff Levine, AICP, Director Department of Planning and Urban Development [email protected] The Department of Planning & Urban Development's mission is to strengthen and revitalize the City of Portland's neighborhoods and communities and to preserve and positively transform our physical, social and economic environment, while protecting the health, safety and welfare of our residents and visitors. In doing so, we will work collaboratively toward comprehensive and sustainable solutions, streamline systems and processes to be efficient and responsive, and engage the public through open communication and ready access to information. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments you may have. Housing and Community Development Division (207)756-8246 Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Inspections Division (207)874-8703 [email protected] Office Hours: Monday-Wednesday and Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Planning Division (207)874-8721 or (207)874-8719 Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pre-Application Meetings are held Inside this issue: every Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Room 209, Casco Bay Lines Terminal Renovation 2nd Floor of City Hall. To request a 30 minute meeting Portland Observatory fill out and submit electronically a Master Development Plan Pre-Application Request Form 91 State Street Adaptive Re-Use Analysis of Impediments of Fair Housing The Planning and Inspections Divisions are conducting Tenant Based Rental Assistance Electronic Plan Review of all submitted plans and drawings. 409 Cumberland Avenue Click the link to read more about What’s your sign? our Electronic Plan Review Requirements Hoa rding within the City of Portland Casco Bay Lines Terminal Renovation Project On June 5, the Planning Division approved a 3,000 sq. ft. expansion to the existing Casco Bay Island Transit District ferry terminal on the Maine State Pier. The terminal expansion will include a new waiting room, ticket office, freight office, and new restrooms, and ultimately provide an Scott Simons Architects improved passenger experience for the nearly one million people who use the facility annually. The approved site plan also includes improvements designed to allow pedestrians, buses, bicyclists, and motorists to more easily gain access to the terminal building. Work on the improvements is expected to begin in the fall. For more information contact Nell Donaldson ~ [email protected] Portland Observatory This year CDBG is helping to fund the refurbishment of one of Portland’s most unique landmarks, the Portland Observatory, a National Historic Landmark that is the only known remaining maritime signal tower in the country. Built in 1807 by Captain Lemuel Moody and located in the Munjoy Hill neighborhood, the Observatory was used to spot incoming ships through a telescope stationed in the lantern at the top of the tower’s 103 steps. Captain Moody would then signal a ship’s arrival by flying colorful flags from atop the Observatory. The City of Portland has owned the structure since the 1930s, and since 1982 Greater Portland Landmarks has operated the tower as a historic site, providing guided tours, educational programs, and exhibits, as well as an open house on Flag Day. In 2011, the Observatory welcomed over 10,000 visitors from Portland, the state of Maine, 47 other states, and 34 countries. CDBG funds will be used to repair or replace the 21 wooden windows in the Observatory, which are currently not watertight, causing the windows and frames to rot, puddles to form on the floor, and the potential for fungal growth and insect infestation. These repairs will help preserve this historic community landmark for residents, tourists, and schoolchildren to enjoy. For more information contact Amy Pulaski ~ [email protected] Master Development Plan The City of Portland is pleased to announce recent amendments to the Site Plan Ordinance, which enable large scale multi-phase projects to seek Planning Board approval for a Master Development Plan. The City Council unanimously adopted the Master Development Plan (MDP) amendments on April 22, 2013 and the amendments are now in effect. The intent of the MDP is to provide for a mix of land uses on larger parcels within the City to achieve a land development plan that is responsive to the assets of the site and is a well-integrated development. This option can be applied to sites with one acre or more of lot area that “…is designed as a cohesive and integral development program consisting of multiple buildings and associated site improvements built in phases over an extended timeframe.” It is applicable in the non-residential zones, such as the business and industrial zones, but it does not apply in residential zones, except for institutional uses. A Master Development Plan may include two (2) or more phases of development and each phase requires a Level III site plan review at the time the phase is ready to go forward. The content of the MDP application addresses the review criteria and includes the submission of a digital three-dimensional model accurately depicting the overall development. The review process for a MDP requires a neighborhood meeting that is separate from any required meeting for each phase of development and requires a workshop with the Planning Board prior to holding a public hearing. At the public hearing, the Planning Board may act upon the MDP application based upon the fourteen applicable review standards (Section 14-524-c). An approval of a Master Development Plan, establishes the general parameters to be adhered to for the development, which includes “…the supporting documentation for floor area ratio and/or residential density, general types of uses, building coverage, generalized open space plans and infrastructure systems.” The Board’s approval is not the final authorization of the development, but it does confer pending proceeding status upon the development, which has the effect of maintaining the applicability of regulations in place at the time of the review for the duration of the MDP approval. A Master Development Plan is valid for six (6) years. Prior to the expiration of an approval, a written request may be submitted for an extension. The Planning Authority may grant two (2) two-year extensions, provided that there have not been substantial changes to the underlying zoning or site plan standards. The Planning Authority may also condition an extension on complying with applicable standards, provided that the changes do not reduce the gross floor area of the building(s) shown on the approved MDP. The Planning Division is pleased to offer this new regulatory option, which allows for a comprehensive view and greater flexibility for large scale developments that will be accomplished in phases over a manageable time frame, while preserving the development entitlements in place at the time of MDP approval. For more information contact Barbara Barhydt ~ [email protected] For more information on Portland’s Land Use Code Or visit our city website at www.portlandmaine.gov 91 State Street - Adaptive Re-use The building at 91 State Street, built around 1900, is undergoing some exciting changes. Previously in the R-6 residential district, the property underwent a zoning map amendment to become an R-7 Compact Urban Residential Overlay Zone. The use was also changed from Mercy's McAuley Residence convalescent center with sanitarium to multi-family residential. The result will be ten market-rate apartments for people looking to live in the West End Historic District near downtown. Renovation work September 1st move in date. During the public will primarily be limited to the interior process for the project parking was raised as an with the historic exterior remaining the important concern for the neighborhood. The same except for the removal of external Planning Board responded to neighborhood fire stairs and new back stairways. The concerns and approved the site plan with the one and two-bedroom apartments range in condition that the applicant provide at least five size from 660 to 880 square feet. The off-site parking spaces for evenings, weekends, owner, Kevin Butterfield, hopes to and snow ban parking needs. complete the project in time for a For more information contact Caitlin Cameron ~ [email protected] Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing In accordance with the federal Fair Housing Act, about every five years the City of Portland performs a study of the impediments to fair housing choice that exist in the City, and recommends actions to address them. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development defines impediments to fair housing choice as any actions, omissions, or decisions taken because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or natural origin which restrict housing choices or the availability of housing choices. Impediments can also be any actions, omissions, or decisions which have the effect of restricting housing choices or the availability of housing choices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. After examining data from the U.S. Census, the American Community Survey, Maine Human Rights Commission, Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA), Portland zoning and land use policies, and interviews with local service providers, the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) found that the largest impediments to fair housing in Portland were: Geographic concentrations of race and poverty in certain neighborhoods of the city Landlords in need of information regarding fair housing/accommodations for persons with disabilities High cost of both rental and home ownership housing The actions recommended to address these issues were to: Actively pursue regional partnerships that work to widen the public transportation network and provide housing opportunities for a diversity of people throughout the region.