Portland Assessment Board Clears 28 Meadow Avenue Appeal; Housing and Development Items Dominate Busy Agenda Week
Assessment appeal for 28 Meadow Avenue ruled timely
The only confirmed decisions from the past two weeks came from the Portland Board of Assessment Review on June 23. The board determined that the property assessment appeal for 28 Meadow Avenue was timely, voting 3-0. The board also ruled 3-0 that ongoing communications about an onsite inspection implied the abatement process was still active, allowing the appeal to proceed. A future hearing date will be set by email. The board approved its March 17, 2026 minutes 2-0 and adjourned 3-0.
The same board met again June 30 to consider two additional assessment appeals from 217 Read & Quarry Streets LLC for 217 Read Street and 40/70 Quarry Road Condo A. Minutes from that meeting have not yet been published.
City Council reviews Midtown Properties RFP
The City Council held a workshop June 29 to review a Request for Proposal for the Midtown Properties development, followed by councilor feedback and Q&A. No votes were scheduled. The council also held a June 22 remote workshop limited to an executive session, closed to the public, to review the City Manager's employment contract under 1 M.R.S. section 405(6)(A). Minutes for both meetings have not yet been published.
Planning Board takes up three housing proposals
The Planning Board scheduled public hearings June 23 on three multifamily housing site plans. The largest is 1871 Forest Avenue, a proposed four-story, 28,000-square-foot building with 33 affordable dwelling units. Two previously tabled projects were also on the agenda: 0 Dalton Street and 16 Purington Way, each proposing eight new dwelling units across two lots in the RN-3 zone. The board also received an update on Portland in Motion, the city's transportation plan. Minutes are not yet published.
Rent Board fields increase applications for multiple properties
The Portland Rent Board met June 24 to take public comment on rent increase applications for 72 William St (3 units, owner Wilbur Cheever), 76 William St (3 units, owner Wilbur Cheever), and 963 Washington Ave (4 units, owner Meloon George H Inc). The agenda also included conditional approval of a rent increase for 23 Pembroke St (3 units, owner GOODDEEDS9922 LLC), a completeness review for 22 South Grafton St, election of a vice chair, and discussion of the annual report. Minutes are not yet published.
Housing committee reviews affordable housing TIF requests
The Housing & Economic Development Committee met June 30 to hear public comment on removing the 100-foot buffer requirement for entertainment venues from City Code Chapter 14, Section 6. The committee also reviewed tax increment financing and credit enhancement agreement requests for three affordable housing projects: The Prime at 197 Oxford St, Dashaway Commons at 15-19 Cedar St, and an amendment to 42 Atlantic Street. A discussion on amending the Jill C. Duson Housing Trust Fund ordinance to fund eviction prevention and security deposit assistance was also scheduled. Minutes are not yet published.
Fish Pier Authority considers $29,775 compressor replacement
The Portland Fish Pier Authority Board met July 1 to discuss and vote on spending up to $29,775 to replace Compressor A at the Portland Fish Exchange, based on a quote from Miller Refrigeration Company. The meeting outcome is not yet available.
Other meetings
The Peaks Island Council discussed appointing a representative for the Portland in Motion transportation plan and sending letters about the Needs-Based Ticket Program to PITEA and the CBL Board of Directors. The Historic Preservation Board held a workshop on new construction at 57 St. Lawrence Street and reported a unanimous June 3 approval of new construction at 8 Garrison Street Extension. The Ethics Commission continued drafting an ethics code focused on conflict of interest provisions. The CDBG Priority Setting Task Force reviewed scoring language for grant applications. The Creative Portland Corporation was scheduled to vote on its FY27 Work Plan & Budget. The Legislative/Nominating Committee discussed a pesticide waiver review and a seasonal outdoor dining amendment.
Coming up
- **July 8 — Sustainability and Transportation Committee:** Vote on adding parking spaces on Fore Street; discussion of red light enforcement cameras under Vision Zero; update on the Reimagining Franklin Street project.
- **July 8 — Social Housing Task Force:** Discussion with City of Portland Bond Counsel on potential financing mechanisms for social housing.
- **July 8 — Rent Board:** Rent increase applications covering 54 units at 204-206 Spring St, 286-288 State St, 137 Neal St, and 78 Danforth St; election of vice chair.
- **July 9 — Civil Service Employment Subcommittee:** Consideration of a temporary rule allowing promotion of police lieutenants from an eligibility list with fewer than three names, per City Code Sec. 2-60.4(e).
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.