Waterfront Port Development Zone

Proposed Text Amendment

Neighborhood Meeting
November 3, 2016
Presentation by
Bill Needelman, Waterfront Coordinator
Economic Development
City of Portland

Potential

Site History
1876, Birds Eye View of Portland

Site History

West Commercial Street in the late 1800s

West Commercial Street in the late 1930s

Current Policy
Following the 5-year moratorium initiated by
the 1987 waterfront referendum, the
Waterfront Alliance Report to the City of
Portland created the policy foundation that has
underpinned Portlands Waterfront resurgence

Eastern Waterfront
Western Waterfront
Deep-water
Marine Industry
Freight

Central Waterfront
Lighter Marine Industry
Mixed Use/Non-marine
Tourism

Marine Passenger
Mixed Use/Non-marine

Western Waterfront
Rail Interstate Highway Deep Water

The Western Waterfront is a regional

anchor, a state-wide resource, and our
link to international commerce

Cold Storage provides opportunities for export:

Agricultural Products
Processed food and beverage
Seafood

Other Industries have

opportunity for growth:
Boat Repair Service

New Opportunities need New Building Forms

The Proposed Text Amendment is promoted by a

proposal by Americold responding to a
Request for Proposals issued by the Maine Port
Authority. Cold Storage is a long-identified need for
the Port. The need for 70 in height is well described in the packet material supplied by Woodard and Curran

Options to consider

Option 1: Replace the maximum build height, 45

feet, with 70 feet.
Option 2: Retain the maximum building height, 45
feet. Draft exception for cold storage and warehouse
use to allow 70 feet for the specific use.
Option 3: Retain the maximum building height, 45
feet. Draft exception for cold storage and warehouse
use to allow 70 feet for the specific use only within a
specific geographic area between the extension of the
School Street right of way and the Casco Bay Bridge.

Additional Related Text Amendments:

Add a definition of cold storage is included
in Sec. 14-47 for clarity. Cold Storage
Facility: Refrigerated facility
used for the storage of perishable
freight awaiting shipment or wholesaling.
Add Cold Storage to the permitted use
section under Sec 14-319 (b)2.
Cold Storage, Warehousing and storage of
goods which are awaiting shipment via cargo
carriers

 Remove the Maximum Building Height

exceptions, which apply only to bulk storage
facilities
After discussions with Sprague Energy, We
understand that the current language as value
to current operators at the Merrill Marine
Terminal.
Economic Development staff will work with
Planning to develop language that retains
opportunities for current marine operators.

Option 4: ?

View Impacts

View Impacts

Option 4: ?

Questions?

Bill Needelman, Waterfront Coordinator

wbn@portlandmaine.gov