Bayside project opponents file lawsuit in Portland
Opponents of a massive development by The Federated Cos. in Portland’s Bayside neighborhood have filed a lawsuit to stall the project, including accusations that the city violated the state’s Freedom of Access Act by destroying and not properly keeping records of Planning Board meetings.
The Portland Press Herald reported the lawsuit from the group Keep Portland Liveable alleges the project also violated the city’s comprehensive plan, zoning standards and that the Planning Board operated against standard procedure in approving the project before a comprehensive stormwater drainage plan was submitted.
The paper reported the city’s senior planner confirmed meetings from late January through March were inadvertently deleted by the recording equipment used. The Planning Board had approved the project at an earlier meeting, on Jan. 14, the newspaper reported. Such audio recordings are not required by state law, though some form of meeting minutes are required, including who put forward a particular motion, who seconded the motion and how officials voted.
The mixed-use project comprises four towers to be built on Somerset Street over the next 10 years. The complex would include apartments, parking and around 100,000 square feet of retail space.
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