Ellsworth divided over condo proposal
Ellsworth City Council shot down a proposal by residents for a moratorium on some land development.
The City Council voted 6-1 on Dec. 14 not to pursue a moratorium as a way to stop or delay the development of a 11-condominium subdivision on Parcher Street, The Ellsworth American reported.
“I think there is enough latitude in the zoning ordinances and that we need to allow the planning board to utilize those,” said Councilor Steve Beathem.
Councilor Gary Fortier, who cast the lone dissenting vote, said he was not in favor of a moratorium, but wanted an opportunity for the council to further research the matter. You can listen to the Dec. 14 Ellsworth City Council meeting on the development starting about 9 minutes into this YouTube video.
The proposed condos would be in a residential neighborhood not far from Maine Coast Memorial Hospital.
Opponents of the condo project have voiced concerns about parking, pedestrian safety, stormwater runoff and the additional burden on water and sewer lines, the American reported. A moratorium would allow time to make changes to the zoning rules, they argued.
A moratorium initiated by citizens would require signatures from 20% of Ellsworth’s registered voters, or 1,110 people. It could be added to the ballot by June 2016.
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