Margaret O’Neil. Jim Vallette.
just now
Root Tensions of New Lodging on Housing Goals in the Comprehensive Plan
Two of the most important goals in our Comprehensive Plan are to preserve existing housing and to make the best use of the limited land available for new housing.
I would like to point out two specific concerns and suggest possible solutions.
1. Off-site parking is taking away existing homes
Under the current rules, a new lodging establishment can purchase nearby homes and convert the properties into off-street parking, as long as they are within 500 feet of the main building.
This means that homes can be purchased and demolished simply to create parking spaces.
For example, a hotel group on Cottage Street is currently trying to purchase homes on Summer Street because it does not have enough parking on its own property.
Proposed solution: Require lodging establishments to provide all required parking on the same property as the principal building. This would prevent existing homes from being lost to off-site hotel parking.
2. Hotels are competing with housing for limited land
Our community has a limited amount of land available for development. When hotels purchase that land, it is no longer available for housing. Increased competition for these properties can also drive up real estate prices, making it more difficult to create and preserve housing.
For example, we own a large lot on Roberts Avenue. Hotel groups offered us a substantial amount of money for the property, but we chose to use the land to build three homes instead.
We were fortunate to be in a position to make that choice. Without reasonable limits on lodging development, the next property owner may choose differently, and another opportunity for housing could be lost.
Proposed solution: Establish reasonable limits on the number of lodging establishments and rooms, and place a limit on the size of new hotels. This would help ensure that some of our limited developable land remains available for housing.
These changes would help the town pursue two of the goals already identified in the Comprehensive Plan: preserving existing housing and creating opportunities for additional housing.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Margaret O’Neil
Bar Harbor
Supporting Democracy through Community Forums — State Rep Candidates to Meet Voters at SWH Fire Station this Wednesday
Like other readers of the Bar Harbor Story, I am a big fan of democracy. Participation is key. This is why I have organized forums for Select Board candidates the past two years in Southwest Harbor, and why I have organized another forum this coming week.
On Wednesday, October 7, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at the Southwest Harbor Fire Station, the two candidates for State House District 15 will discuss important issues for our communities.
I decided to get this together after seeing no information about this race. I wanted the chance to learn where the candidates stand and share this opportunity with other voters in District 15.
The two candidates quickly agreed to the event, which will be moderated by Bar Harbor Story editor Carrie Jones. The candidates are Holly Eaton (D-Deer Isle) and Clifford Noyes (Unenrolled-Southwest Harbor). Holly is the incumbent and running for her third term in the State House. Clifford is a member of Southwest Harbor’s Pemetic School Board.
District 15 covers a wide expanse of coastal Maine, from Vinalhaven on the west, to Frenchboro to the east. Other District 15 towns include Swan’s Island, Tremont, Brooklin, and the Stonington area.
The forum also will be broadcast by Zoom, and attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions in person or by Zoom chat. To join by Zoom, here is the link:
The Fire Station is located at 250 Main Street in Southwest Harbor.
I hope voters from District 15 will join us and hear out the candidates, so we can all be well-informed as voting is already underway.
Jim Vallette
Southwest Harbor
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