Tag: Rockport Town Meeting 2020

VOTE YES ON ARTICLE 4

Article 4 provides a means to responsibly limit downtown hotel construction, enabling more than one developer to benefit from Rockport’s historic harbor.

Article 4 to Limit Downtown Hotels to 20 Rooms

Citizen’s Petition, Article 4 – signed by 300 Rockport Residents; and 200 more on Change.org

You did it! With 599 residents voting, Article 4 passed 328 to 271.

  • Yes on Article 4 would reduce residents tax burden without necessitating an oversized, non-compliant (you decide here) building that overwhelms our historic downtown.
  • Article 4 would not require blocking the century old scenic harbor view or defacing the western wall of historic Shepherd Block.
  • Article 4 will preserve public parking for residents and other visitors to existing restaurants, galleries, concert series and the library.
  • Article 4 will allow for more than one true boutique hotel to prosper in our historic harbor.

Alternative future views from Central Street and Goodridge Park.

  • Central St. view, Proposed Hotel
    Proposed 26 two-room suite hotel …
    vote NO, definitely get this.
  • A 20 room alternative design retaining the scenic view and with architecture consistent with neighboring buildings.
    20-room hotel …
    Vote YES, hopefully get this.

A critical look at the timeline of events:

  • 20 Central, LLC purchased the property on July 22, 2016. No hotels were allowed in the downtown district at the time of purchase.
  • The Ordinance Review Committee, one member is the engineer for the developer, approved it’s 2017 work plan on October 11, 2016 including the number one priority, hotel use in the downtown district. The Planner’s Notes indicate “This maximum number of rooms recommended by the ORC to be allowed in the 913*zoning district is 40 (forty), to be permitted on a first-come, first-served basis.”
  • The PenBay Pilot noted in their January 2, 2017 article about proposed changes to the ordinance “The proposal to amend the town’s ordinance followed a request by Stuart and Marianne Smith, who purchased several Village lots and a building on Central Street in July 2016, to find a way that would allow them to construct a new hotel there.”
  • The April 18, 2017 Select Board meeting minutes state “Stuart Smith – about twenty to twenty-two sleeping rooms. 16 Bayview Street has twenty-one rooms and the Lord Camden has thirty-six rooms.” He never mentioned a restaurant or rooftop bar. You can watch and listen here at 34:53 in the recording: https://livestream.com/Rockportmaine/events/7198735/videos/154495579
  • The ordinance was changed to allow up to 4o hotel rooms in the district on June 13, 2017. Developer then submitted a plan up from “twenty rooms, twenty-two rooms” to 36 two-room suites and a ‘rooftop bar,’ eliminating potential for competitive hotels within the 40 room maximum.
  • At the June 11, 2020 Planning Board meeting Stuart Smith denies his comments from April 18, 2017 (above) “…We never talked about building a 20 room hotel. Our very first plan had 36 rooms….” You can watch and listen here at 1:58:10 in the recording: https://livestream.com/rockportmaine/events/9158089/videos/207330803

VOTE YES ON ARTICLE 3

Article 3 will require new development to require a traffic, parking, and safety study to be paid by developer, not taxpayers.

Article 3 to require an Independent traffic study by a qualified professional paid by developer, not taxpayers’ dollars.

Citizen’s Petition, Article 3 – signed by over 320 Legal Rockport Residents and another 200 on Change.org  

You did it! With 582 votes cast, Article 3 passed 332 to 250.

A “YES” vote on Article 3 would add new language to the Land Use Ordinance Section 803.1(3) as follows:

“No off-site or shared parking, or waiver of parking requirements, shall be approved unless it is supported by an independent traffic study prepared by a qualified professional, hired by the reviewing authority and paid for by the applicant, which establishes that the parking facility is adequate for the proposed use and any shared use(s), will not cause undue burdens on traffic or parking in the vicinity, and will not cause safety concerns.”

Why wouldn’t you want a traffic, parking and safety study done?

  • Rockport Police stated concern with the blind corner of Maine and Central with the consideration of a proposed hotel. Residents are already concerned with traffic, parking, pedestrian and cyclist safety on Central Street without the hotel. Two accidents have already occurred at blind uphill corner where hotel’s valet drivers to offsite parking and delivery trucks will be turning.
  • Parking and vehicle circulation impacts from development should be reviewed and studied by qualified and unbiased traffic engineers.
  • It is already difficult to park if you come into town for an evening event without a hotel.
  • Then director of planning and community development for the town, Jamie Francomano stated “…the Planning Board will have very wide discretion and waiving the number and customizing that…” of the parking requirements for hotels at the Select Board meeting on April 18, 2017. See here at 38:40 https://livestream.com/rockportmaine/events/7198735/videos/154495579
  • The adequacy of parking and safety concerns related to traffic caused by proposed development are long term and cumulative.
  • Parking and vehicle circulation impacts from development should be reviewed and studied by qualified and unbiased traffic engineers.

Will this impact traffic, parking, and pedestrian safety in the harbor?

Central St. view, Proposed Hotel

You decide. If yes, vote YES on Article 3.