Proposed Revisions to Site Plan Ordinance and Development Review Process

1/5/2010 - Proposed Revisions to Site Plan Ordinance and Development Review Process: The Planning Board is reviewing draft revisions to Article V of the City Code of Ordinances and to the City of Portland Technical Standards and Design Standards.

Site Plan and Development Review Updates

At the January 12, 2009 City Council workshop, the Council confirmed the Planning Division's priority to conduct a comprehensive update of the site plan ordinance and development review procedures. This initiative has multiple components, including:

• Revisions to Section 14-526(a) of the City Code, Site Plan Standards.
• Modifications to the development review process and procedures of Article V of the City Code.
• Revisions to the City of Portland Technical and Design Standards and Guidelines.
• Implementation of new development review tracking software.

The Planning Board is currently reviewing draft revisions to Article V of the City Code, the Site Plan Ordinance, and to the City of Portland Technical and Design Standards. The Board will then provide a recommendation to the City Council. Revisions to Article V of the City Code require City Council approval for adoption. Revisions to the Technical and Design Standards may be approved by the Planning Board at a public hearing.

April 27, 2010 Planning Board Public Hearing


Click below to view the complete April 2010 draft of the Site Plan Standards, Technical Manual and Design Manual

The Planning Board will be reviewing the following items at a Public Hearing on Tuesday April 27th (tentative start time 7:45 pm).Public comment will be taken at this meeting.

1. Proposed revisions to Article V. Site Plan. This is a comprehensive rewrite of this section of the Land Use Code.
2. Proposed amendments to the Land Use Code related to update of Article V Site Plan Ordinance. Updates to all applicable sections throughout the Land Use Code to correctly cross-reference with the draft revisions to Article V.
3. 2010 Technical Manual and 2010 Design Manual. At the hearing, the Board will be asked to adopt the revised Technical and Design Standards contingent on the City Council's adoption of the ordinance revisions.


Backup material from Planning Board Meetings:

· February 6 2009 - Staff provided an introduction to the scope of efforts underway and proposed a process with the Planning Board for a more detailed review of the revised Site Plan and Technical and Design Standards.

· June 9, 2009 - 1st workshop on proposed development review process and procedures.

· August 11, 2009 - 1st workshop on draft Transportation Standards.

· October 13, 2009 - 1st workshop on draft Environmental Quality Standards.

· October 27, 2009 - 1st workshop on draft Public Safety Standards.

· November 10, 2009 - 1st workshop on draft Site Design Standards.

· December 8, 2009 - 2nd workshop on Environmental Quality Standards and Public Safety Standards.

· January 12, 2010 - 1st workshop on Site Plan Procedures and Thresholds.

· January 26, 2010 - 2nd workshop on Site Plan Procedures and Thresholds.

· February 9, 2010 - 2nd workshop on Transportation Standards

· February 23, 2010 - 3rd workshop on Environmental Quality Standards.

· March 9, 2010 – 2nd workshop on Site Design Standards.

· April, 2010 – Public Hearing for proposed revisions to Article V- Site Plan and City of Portland Technical Manual and Design Manual.


There is an opportunity to provide public comment at all Planning Board meetings. Written public comment may also be submitted to Molly Casto, Senior Planner by email at mpc@portlandmaine.gov or by mail to:

City of Portland Planning Division
Attn: Molly Casto, Senior Planner
389 Congress Street
Portland, Maine 04101-3509