Second Mount Desert Island town to have ongoing moratorium; plus, briefs and press releases.
Apr 30, 2026
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by the Bar Harbor Music Festival.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—The Southwest Harbor Select Board quickly extended its ban on tobacco specialty stores, April 29.
The November 4, 2025, retroactive ban began due to concerns about a lack of land use regulations in the town concerning any possible retail stores. Voters passed that ban 448-304.
“The moratorium referenced the need for land use ordinance updates as well as concerns regarding possible proximity to schools, potential adverse environmental and public health effects,” Town Manager Karen Reddersen said.
The original moratorium called for a review after six months.
“The work is ongoing,” Reddersen told Select Board members.
Select Board member Carolyn Ball asked how to make the changes move forward and how the Select Board can help the Planning Board with this work.
“We’re only going to have 180 more days,” Ball said.
Chair Noah Burby said that the town had received grants with the Musson Group. That locally owned firm will be helping the town overhaul its ordinances. They meet next week.
“With the transition and the CEO position, we’ve had some delays,” Reddersen said.
She also said the moratorium could be extended for another 180 days once this current moratorium is over.
Nearby Bar Harbor has extended its own moratorium on any new lodging—or extensive renovation of existing lodging—multiple times since 2024.
The Southwest Harbor motion passed 4-0 with one member (Natasha Johnson who is a co-owner of a marijuana retail store) recused. The end of the this moratorium is October 23.
There was no public comment.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Southwest Harbor Extends Tobacco Store Moratorium and Hires Musson Group to Help With Its Land Use Ordinance Updates.
RECENT PRESS RELEASES AND BRIEFS
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