Rockland public meetings in 2022
17 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council
The City Council approved several zoning and licensing updates, including a new comprehensive plan and a ban on electronic flavored tobacco. Voters approved three bond referendums for infrastructure, and the Council granted various business and lodging licenses.
- Approved $15M bond for roads and sidewalks (Voter approved)
- Approved $2.4M bond for landfill closure (Voter approved)
- Approved $15M bond for stormwater projects (Voter approved)
- Adopted updated 2022 Comprehensive Plan (5-0)
- Passed ban on electronic flavored tobacco products (5-0)
- Granted 3-month lodging license to Aleksander Rose, LLC (3-2)
- Granted 1-month lodging license to Capt. Zadoc F. Brewster House (5-0)
- Approved $11,500 for Kiwanis Park fence repairs (5-0)
City Council
Rockland voters approved three bond referendums for infrastructure improvements. The City Council also updated short-term rental and lodging house definitions and approved several business licenses.
- Approved $15M bond for roads and sidewalks (Voter approved)
- Approved $2.4M bond for landfill closure (Voter approved)
- Approved $15M bond for stormwater projects (Voter approved)
- Passed updated short-term rental definitions and permitting authority (4-1)
- Passed updated Bed & Breakfast and Lodging House definitions (3-2)
- Granted 3-month lodging house license to Aleksander Rose, LLC (3-2)
- Granted 1-month lodging house license to Capt. Zadoc F. Brewster House (5-0)
- Approved $11,500 expenditure for Kiwanis Park fence repairs (5-0)
City Council
Rockland residents approved three bond referendums on November 8, 2022. The City Council also updated short-term rental (STR) permitting authority and adopted a new Comprehensive Plan.
- Approved $15M bond for roads and sidewalks (2,360 Yes, 736 No)
- Approved $2.4M bond for landfill closure (1,866 Yes, 1,158 No)
- Approved $15M bond for stormwater projects (2,275 Yes, 796 No)
- Adopted updated 2022 Comprehensive Plan (5-0)
- Transferred permitting authority for STRs to the Code Enforcement Officer (4-1)
- Granted 3-month lodging house license to Aleksander Rose, LLC (3-2)
- Approved $67,500 MCCOG grant for police training simulator (5-0)
- Authorized $11,500 for Kiwanis Park fence repairs (5-0)
City Council
The City Council approved several zoning and licensing updates, including a new comprehensive plan and a restructured Economic Development Advisory Committee. Voters approved three bond referendums for infrastructure, and the Council designated the MidCoast Regional Housing Trust as a partner for affordable housing.
- Approved $15M road and sidewalk bond (Voter approved)
- Approved $2.4M landfill closure bond (Voter approved)
- Approved $15M stormwater project bond (Voter approved)
- Adopted updated 2022 Comprehensive Plan (5-0)
- Designated MidCoast Regional Housing Trust as affordable housing partner (5-0)
- Approved $67,500 grant for Police Department training simulator (5-0)
- Granted 3-month lodging house license to Aleksander Rose, LLC (3-2)
- Postponed indefinitely ordinances regarding non-owner occupied short-term rentals (4-1)
City Council
Rockland voters approved three bond referendums on November 8, 2022, for roads and sidewalks, landfill closure, and stormwater management. The City Council also updated short-term rental (STR) definitions and permitting authority, and approved several business licenses.
- Approved $15M bond for roads and sidewalks (2,360 Yes, 736 No)
- Approved $2.4M bond for landfill closure (1,866 Yes, 1,158 No)
- Approved $15M bond for stormwater projects (2,275 Yes, 796 No)
- Passed amended STR ordinance shifting permitting authority to Code Enforcement Officer (4-1)
- Granted 3-month lodging house license to Aleksander Rose, LLC (3-2)
- Approved $11,500 expenditure for Kiwanis Park fence repairs (5-0)
- Approved $67,500 grant for Police Department training simulator (5-0)
- Granted Adult Use Marijuana Retail License to Sweet Dirt (5-0)
City Council
The City Council will consider several business license applications, including adult-use marijuana retail and cultivation. The body will also hold public hearings on ordinances regarding accessory apartments and parking prohibitions on Amesbury St.
- Adult Use Marijuana licenses for Belvidere Farms, LLC, Belvidere Farmacy, LLC, and Botany, Inc.
- Liquor and entertainment licenses for Rock Harbor Brewing, Rock Harbor Pub, and Trackside Station Restaurant
- Public hearing on Ordinance #17 regarding accessory apartment definitions
- Public hearing on Ordinance #18 regarding parking prohibitions on Amesbury St.
- Expenditure of reserve funds for landfill closure
City Council
The City Council is reviewing several ordinance amendments regarding lot areas for residential and transitional business zones. The agenda also includes authorizing various street closures and fee waivers related to the Lobster Festival and Summer Solstice Celebration.
- Ordinance #9: Lot area standards for Residential Zone B
- Ordinance #10: Lot area standards for Transitional Business 1, 2 & 3 Zones
- Ordinance #38: Inclusionary Zoning
- Order #25B & #26B: Fee waivers for the Lobster Festival Parade and Festival
- Order #34: Street closures for Lobster Festival Road Races
City Council
The City Council will meet to present the FY 2023 Municipal Budget and discuss Police Department employee retention. The agenda also includes several ordinance readings and various liquor license applications.
- Presentation of FY 2023 Municipal Budget
- Discussion regarding Police Department Employee Retention
- Ordinance #9: Chapter 19, Section 19-304 Lot Area; Res. B Zone
- Ordinance #38: Chapter 19, Section 19-303A Inclusionary Zoning
- Order #33: Authorizing CDBG Grant Acceptance — Home Repair Network
City Council
The City Council is deciding on several funding authorizations, including a major grant for the commercial fish pier and signage for the Harbor Trail. The body is also reviewing multiple zoning and fence ordinances and scheduling a budget validation referendum for June 14, 2022.
- Order #30: Acceptance and expenditure of up to $1,500,000 for Rockland commercial fish pier rehabilitation
- Order #29: $1,500 expenditure from Downtown TIF Account for Harbor Trail signage
- Order #28: Setting June 14, 2022, as the date for the RSU #13 Budget Validation Referendum
- Order #24: Temporary closure of Main Street from Park Street to Talbot Avenue for the Blues Festival Club Crawl
- Ordinances #9, #10, #42, #13: Proposed changes to lot area dwellings, minimum floor area, and C2 Zone front setbacks
City Council
The City Council will meet to set the agenda for the upcoming regular meeting on April 11. The agenda includes various liquor and entertainment licenses, ordinance readings, and several city orders.
- Liquor & Entertainment Licenses: Archers on the Pier, Fog Bar & Café/Lulu’s Ice Cream, and R & K Hospitality
- Ordinance reading regarding Lot Area Dwellings (Ch. 19, Sec. 19-304)
- Order authorizing TIF Fund Expenditure for Harbor Trail Signage
- Order authorizing street closure for the Blues Festival Club Crawl
- Order authorizing use of property and alcohol service for the Lobster Festival
City Council
The City Council will consider several zoning and parking ordinances, including conditional zoning for 75 Mechanic Street. The body is also reviewing liquor and lodging licenses for multiple local businesses and discussing expenditures for traffic calming and landfill closure.
- Liquor licenses for Clan MacLaren, Roselyn Thai Fine Cuisine, Home Kitchen Café, The Landings Restaurant, and Primo Restaurant
- Lodging and liquor licenses for 250 Main Hotel and Ripples Inn
- Accepting donation of land at 239 Rankin Street
- Proposed ordinances for parking on Amesbury St. and food vendor season at Harbor Park
- Expenditures for traffic calming on Cedar Street and landfill closure
City Council
The City Council is holding a special meeting to discuss a resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The body will also set the agenda for the March 14 regular meeting.
- Resolve #10 Supporting the People of Ukraine
- Liquor license applications for Clan MacLaren, Roselyn Thai Fine Cuisine, Home Kitchen Café, The Landings Restaurant, and Primo Restaurant
- Liquor, Entertainment & Lodging House licenses for 250 Main Hotel
- Lodging House license for Ripples Inn
- Agenda setting for the 03/14/2022 Regular Meeting
City Council
The City Council will meet to consider participation in the Maine Community Resilience Partnership. The council is also considering an order to apply for up to $50,000 in grant funds for downtown waterfront engineering.
- Resolve #10: Participation in the Maine Community Resilience Partnership
- Order #15: Application for up to $50,000 in Community Action Grant Funds for waterfront engineering
- Discussion regarding Downtown Summer 2022
- Code Office enforcement issues discussion
- Short Term Rentals discussion
City Council
The City Council is reviewing several items including a partnership with Georges River Land Trust to protect the Rockland Bog. The agenda also includes accepting pedestrian safety grant funds and adopting 2022 council goals.
- Partnership with Georges River Land Trust for land protection in the Rockland Bog
- Acceptance of up to $160,000 grant for flashing pedestrian beacons
- Acceptance of up to $72,000 grant for Maverick Street and Camden Street intersection improvements
- Adoption of 2022 City Council Goals
- Transfer of $1,220.00 in forfeited assets from State of Maine v. Darrin Upton
City Council
The City Council will meet via Zoom to receive a presentation on the FY 2021 Municipal Audit. The council will also discuss establishing a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district for Old County Road.
- Presentation of FY 2021 Municipal Audit
- Discussion regarding establishing a TIF District at Old County Road
- Setting the agenda for the February 14, 2022 regular meeting
City Council
The City Council is meeting to discuss several ordinances, including minimum floor area for dwelling units and a contract zone amendment for 75 Mechanic Street. The body will also consider a license agreement with MDOT for a trail extension and the demolition of a building at 470 Main Street.
- License agreement with MDOT for a 240-foot Rockland Harbor Trail extension
- Ordinance #42 regarding Chapter 19, Article III Min. Floor Area; Dwelling Units
- Ordinance #44 amending Contract Zone at 75 Mechanic Street
- Order #5 authorizing demolition of building at 470 Main Street
- Acceptance of donations including $820 from First Universalist Church and $1,000 from Paul & Else Blum Private Foundation
City Council
The City Council will meet for a special session on January 8 followed by a regular meeting on January 10. The agenda includes various business license renewals, ordinance readings, and several city orders regarding committees and infrastructure.
- Liquor & Entertainment Licenses: Suzuki’s Sushi Bar
- Liquor License: Pizza Hut
- Taxi Company License: Joe’s Taxi (4 taxicabs)
- Ordinance: Amending Contract Zone — 75 Mechanic Street
- Order: Authorizing TIF Funds — Park Drive/Tillson Sidewalks/Lighting