Planning Board discusses LD 2003, Shared Housing and Employee Work Quarters, 10 new cabins, and a four-room hotel or motel CARRIE JONES AUG 3, 2023 Share BAR HARBOR—The Bar Harbor Planning Board met August 2 with one new member, Cosmo Nims, who was quickly thrown into the world of land use ordinances, state mandates, and proposed projects, a world where a lot of changes could … Continue reading Changes May Be Afoot For Bar Harbor Zoning Rules
CARRIE JONES JUN 8, 2023 BAR HARBOR—According to studies created this year as part of the comprehensive planning process, Bar Harbor is going to need a lot of new dwellings by 2033 and it doesn’t have a lot of space to put them. At a February 3 Planning Board meeting, Glenon Friedmann, representing Bar Harbor Farm at 115 Gilbert Farm Road in the Town Hill … Continue reading Could Employee Living Quarters and Shared Accommodations Expansion Help Ease Bar Harbor’s Housing Woes?
MDI Residents and Organizations Band Together to Tackle Housing Shortage Carrie Jones and Shaun Farrar BAR HARBOR—Noel Musson knows firsthand about the housing crisis on Mount Desert Island. Born and raised on MDI, he did as so many do and moved away to attend college and get started on his life’s journey. About 18 years ago, he and his wife decided that they wanted to move back. … Continue reading From Crisis to Collaboration:
Some on Committee Hope For More Input BAR HARBOR—The Comprehensive Planning Committee met for two hours Thursday night, focusing on the recent housing study conclusions and how to share them with the public while also discussing an upcoming work session in March. The public is invited to watch the work session, but not participate. More opportunities to participate in the process will occur in the … Continue reading Bar Harbor is Far From Alone in Housing Crunch
Town Council agrees to hold public hearing on potential land use ordinance changes BAR HARBOR—In four separate unanimous votes, the Bar Harbor Town Council moved four potential land use amendments dealing with rules that regulate small aspects of development and housing to a public hearing, which is the next step legally necessary for the Planning Department-led proposals to be voted on at the June 23, … Continue reading Proposed Changes Could Increase Housing Development in Bar Harbor
Maine Supreme Court Backs Planning Board Approval of Acadia Apartments Plan for Seasonal Employee Housing BAR HARBOR—The town of Bar Harbor had a legal win October 27 when the Maine Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the Planning Board’s approval of the construction and renovation of seven multi-family dwellings on 25 West Street Extension, a 1.54-acre piece of land next to the Collier Family Trust property. Elizabeth … Continue reading Town Wins Lawsuit
Bar Harbor housing statistics and commuting facts BAR HARBOR— Gable roofs. Asphalt shingles. Greenified street spaces. That’s the vision for the proposed shared accommodations for the Witham Family Limited Partnership’s seasonal employees on Kebo Street in what might have been the first shared accommodation dwelling of its size in recent history, which could potentially alleviate a bit of stress for Bar Harbor’s housing pool. Town … Continue reading Kebo Street Seasonal Workers’ Housing Project Goes Before Planning Board
Planning Board Hears Campground Employee Housing Proposal BAR HARBOR—Employee housing has taken a slightly different twist in Bar Harbor as the KOA Terramor Campground moves through the Bar Harbor Planning Board process to reconfigure its employee living spaces. The KOA Terramor Employee Campsite reconfiguration would take the current employee area at 1453 State Highway 102 and involves: 1. Remodeling three existing trailers, 2. Adding two … Continue reading Elevated Trailers: Housing in Bar Harbor
Town Manager discussion focuses on Cruise Ship Plan: Town Planner Begins Housing Surveys BAR HARBOR—Town Manager Kevin Sutherland and Town Councilor Jill Goldthwait spoke with four members of the community during the new Manager Minutes open discussions that will be occurring Wednesdays throughout the fall. The first occurred at the Jesup Memorial Library’s periodicals room and focused mostly on the town’s cruise ship management plan … Continue reading New Town Manager Minutes Opens Access to Top Bar Harbor Staff and Officials
