Portland council adopts zoning 'cleanup,' rejects expanding single‑family use across business zones

The Portland City Council on March 16 approved amendments to the city’s land‑use code and zoning map intended to correct mapping errors and clarify recode language, but adopted a council amendment to prevent single‑family dwellings from becoming an allowed use across the city’s business (B) zones.

City planning staff presented the package as a cleanup: four map corrections (including a small Hobart Street parcel and updates to the University of Southern Maine overlay) and text clarifications to replace outdated language and correct cross references, materials show. Director Kevin Kraft told the council the rules take effect 45 days after they are filed with the city clerk and said the planning board voted 6–0 to recommend adoption.

The most contested proposal would have re‑allowed single‑family dwellings in mixed‑use business zones. Public commenter George Roe urged the council not to change the code for the whole city because the zoning board of appeals had already granted a variance for a single parcel. “Why we need to change all the business zones for a person that’s already been taken care of is a little bit weird,” Roe said during public comment.

Councilor Sykes moved an amendment to remove the line in Table 6c that would permit single‑family dwellings in B1 through B6. Councilor Fournier seconded the amendment. Council discussion weighed alternatives — allowing the use only in the lowest‑density B1 zone was suggested — but members who spoke supported handling unique circumstances through variances rather than a broad code change. After a roll‑call vote the amendment passed, and the underlying order was approved as amended. The clerk recorded unanimous yes votes on the amended order.

Corporation counsel noted that code changes of this sort typically come after planning board consideration; staff and the board had reviewed alternatives before forwarding the package. Planning staff also explained that the B zones differ in density and that restoring single‑family use citywide could reduce the incentive for higher‑density housing in transit‑accessible corridors.

The council’s action corrects several technical map and text errors identified since adoption of recode and leaves decisions about individual residential conversions to variances and case‑by‑case review. The council did not adopt the version that would have broadly allowed single‑family dwellings across B1–B6.

The council recorded the vote on Orders 1452526 and 1462526 (zoning text and map amendments) after debate and adoption of the amendment. The planning board’s review and staff reports are included in the meeting backup materials.