What Might Be Changing in Bar Harbor? Planning Board Advances Rules on Housing, Lodging, and Growth

What Might Be Changing in Bar Harbor?

Planning Board Advances Rules on Housing, Lodging, and Growth Carrie Jones Jan 12, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Edward Jones Financial Advisor: Elise N. Frank BAR HARBOR—In what was mostly a standard meeting about fine-tuning and moving potential changes in Bar Harbor’s land use rules forward to the town council and voters, the Bar Harbor planning board took two forays during its January 7 … Continue reading What Might Be Changing in Bar Harbor?

Hotelier's Attorney Alleges Bar Harbor Misused Moratorium Process to Block Motel Reconstruction

Hotelier’s Attorney Alleges Bar Harbor Misused Moratorium Process to Block Motel Reconstruction

Carrie Jones Jan 05, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by the Maine Seacoast Mission. BAR HARBOR—In a four-page December 29 letter to the Bar Harbor Town Council, an attorney for Holiday Associates of Naples alleges that the town is “unlawfully using the moratorium process as a pretext to stop Holiday Associates’ renovation project of the Park Entrance Motel property.” The letter came on … Continue reading Hotelier’s Attorney Alleges Bar Harbor Misused Moratorium Process to Block Motel Reconstruction

Hemp-Derived THC Drinks Face Potential Problems in Southwest Harbor Intoxicating Hemp Products Could be Subject to Moratoriums in Southwest Harbor and other MDI Region Towns

Hemp-Derived THC Drinks Face Potential Problems in Southwest Harbor

Intoxicating Hemp Products Could be Subject to Moratoriums in Southwest Harbor and other MDI Region Towns Carrie Jones Jul 23, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by First National Bank. SOUTHWEST HARBOR—Right now, if you go to a convenience store or restaurant in Hancock County, you can buy a drink that contains hemp-derived THC, and at least one of those drinks says that it … Continue reading Hemp-Derived THC Drinks Face Potential Problems in Southwest Harbor

Lodging Moratorium Extended as Bar Harbor Continues to Collect Data Council Extends Lodging Freeze, Sparking Discussion on Development and Housing

Lodging Moratorium Extended as Bar Harbor Continues to Collect Data

Council Extends Lodging Freeze, Sparking Discussion on Development and Housing Carrie Jones Jul 02, 2025 Share The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Window Panes Home and Garden. BAR HARBOR—Bar Harbor’s moratorium on multiple lodging types has been extended for another 180 days. “I don’t think it is time to put a stop to the moratorium,” Councilor Joe Minutolo said during a Tuesday night town … Continue reading Lodging Moratorium Extended as Bar Harbor Continues to Collect Data

Will Bar Harbor's Lodging Moratorium Be Extended? Public hearing scheduled for July 1

Will Bar Harbor’s Lodging Moratorium Be Extended?

Public hearing scheduled for July 1 Carrie Jones Jun 19, 2025 Share The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Swan Agency Real Estate. BAR HARBOR—A lodging moratorium in Bar Harbor may be extended. Tuesday, June 17, the Bar Harbor Town Council scheduled a public hearing on that possible extension. The hearing will be July 1 at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers in the municipal … Continue reading Will Bar Harbor’s Lodging Moratorium Be Extended?

Trenton Voters Say No To Commercial Solar Farms Perreault and Sproule Tie for Select Board

Trenton Voters Say No To Commercial Solar Farms

Perreault and Sproule Tie for Select Board Carrie Jones and Shaun Farrar May 21, 2025 Share TRENTON—On Monday voters in Trenton resoundingly voted (164-46) to have solar only be an accessory use in their town. That vote means that people can still have solar panels to offset the energy needs of their home or businesses, but that the town will not permit large-scale commercial solar farms … Continue reading Trenton Voters Say No To Commercial Solar Farms

Hotelier Meets With Conners Emerson School Board To Discuss Concerns About Inn at Eden

Hotelier Meets With Conners Emerson School Board To Discuss Concerns About Inn at Eden

Carrie Jones Dec 03, 2024 Share BAR HARBOR—On Monday afternoon, local business man and hotelier Stephen Coston met with the Conners-Emerson School Board to discuss his proposed 24-room Inn at Eden Street that would abut the Conners-Emerson School and had caused concern among some residents and the school board about its location. He’d been invited to the meeting by School Board Chair Alexandra Simis. Because of Bar … Continue reading Hotelier Meets With Conners Emerson School Board To Discuss Concerns About Inn at Eden

"Enough is Enough" Bar Harbor Passes Emergency Moratorium on Multiple Lodging Types

“Enough is Enough”

Bar Harbor Passes Emergency Moratorium on Multiple Lodging Types Carrie Jones Nov 20, 2024 Share The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Window Panes Home and Garden. BAR HARBOR—The third time was the charm for supporters of a lodging moratorium in Bar Harbor, Tuesday night. This most recent effort, brought forward by Town Council Vice Chair and newly elected State Representative Gary Friedmann focuses on … Continue reading “Enough is Enough”

Letter From Our Readers

Letter From Our Readers

November 17 Nov 17, 2024 URGING A MORATORIUM Bar Harbor Town Council to discuss moratorium on Tuesday, Nov. 19 We strongly urge the council to enact a moratorium on new lodging (transient accommodations) at its meeting Tuesday, November 19. The dictionary defines an inflection point as a time of significant change in a situation, a turning point. We believe the town has reached a crisis/inflection … Continue reading Letter From Our Readers