Portland expected to lengthen stay-at-home order, consider CDBG funding
Photo / Renee Cordes
Bard Coffee, at 185 Middle St. in Portland, is among many businesses that remain closed under a city stay-at-home order that could be extended until May 18.
The Portland City Council on Monday evening is expected to extend the city's emergency stay-at-home order until May 18 and vote on two amendments related to a ban on short-term residence rentals during the pandemic.
Under the current stay-at-home order in place since March 25, nonessential businesses in Maine's largest city are to remain closed through today, April 27. The state's executive order remains in effect until this Thursday.
Both are expected to be extended after the number of COVID-19 cases in Maine rose past 1,000 by Sunday morning, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention website. Of those, 532 patients have recovered. A total of 50 deaths statewide have been reported.
With 454 reported cases, southern Cumberland County has the highest concentration of all 16 counties.
At the council meeting, to be held via Zoom, councilor will vote on Mayor Kate Snyder's proposal to extend the emergency ban.
They will also vote on two amendments put forward by Councilor Kim Cook that propose a short-term registration for refunds and other provisions for individuals converting a short-term to a long-term rental.
Councilors are also set to vote on allowing the temporary licensing of existing testing facilities for adult-use marijuana after a second required reading of an amendment to the city code.
The measure is meant to be in place until the council can pass an ordinance fully addressing the licensing of all marijuana businesses.
Tonight's agenda notes that Portland has two of the only three potential testing facilities in the state, and that any facility able to get a temporary license under the proposed amendment will still have to go through the full licensing process once the city adopts its final licensing ordinance.
Other business at tonight's meeting allocations for more than $2 million in Community Development Block Grant money and a potential renewal of Definitive Brewing Co.'s license to sell beer and wine at its Portland brewing facility.
Mainebiz reported last week on the brewer's plans to open a tasting room in Kittery.
Tonight's meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m at Portland City Hall, 389 Congress St. Find the full agenda here.
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments