The March City Council adoption of the Comprehensive Plan has refocused our department's work. Staff efforts and the bulk of Planning Board meeting time are now directed to implementation of the zoning ordinance amendments outlined in the plan.

The Planning Board completed its work on a major package of downtown-related amendments on June 22, which was scheduled for first reading by the City Council on August 1. See below for details. Infill development amendments for the residential zones surrounding the downtown are being reviewed by the Planning Board and are scheduled for an August 2 hearing. These include a new requirement for neighborhood meetings before applications for projects in residential neighborhoods.

We are also working with an historic preservation consultant who is completing an evaluation of the area between Main and Elm Streets, which was of such concern to the City Council last year. The Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Board will work with this information over the next few months.

Most of Downtown from Elm Street to Main Street including Pepperell Square, the Common Street area and Front Street are in the B-3 Zone, and have been for over 20 years. The west side of Elm Street and the Saco Valley Shopping Center area are in the B-1 Zone. A portion of Main Street from roughly Cutts Street to Beach Street, then along Beach Street to roughly James Street is in the B-7 zone.

The Comprehensive Plan proposes creating three new zones and revising the B-1 District to better reflect the City's vision for Downtown. The Planning Board developed draft zoning amendments that would achieve the changes proposed in the Comprehensive Plan. Both the Plan and the Board recognize changes to downtown zoning as being of interest to several groups. A special forum was held with residents of the area, and a public hearing was held on June 22 to solicit further input.

Main Street will remain in the B-3 District with a few minor adjustments to the zone boundary. The requirements of the B-3 zone remain unchanged. Other amendments included in this proposal:

• A new zone called the Downtown Residential Mixed-Use (MU-1) District would be created, and include the properties along the side streets between Main Street and Elm Street. Most of this area is currently in the B-3 District. The standards in the new MU-1 District will allow a mix of residential and non-residential uses but will limit the size of most non-residential uses to a maximum of 4,500 SF to maintain the character of the neighborhood.
• A second new zone called the Elm Street Gateway (MU-2) District would include the property on both sides of Elm Street from the river to Cutts Avenue. Currently the east side of Elm Street is in the B-3 District while the west side is in the B-1 District. The standards for the new MU-2 District will allow a mix of residential and non-residential uses, will limit auto-oriented uses to those lots that are currently used for that purpose, and will encourage a more downtown/village style than a highway strip pattern. Most non-residential uses will be limited to a maximum of 4,500 SF.
• A third new zone called the Front Street Waterfront (B-8) District will be created for the Front Street area along the river downstream of Pepperell Square. This area is also currently in the B-3 District. The requirements for new B-8 District focus on reserving this area primarily for public and marine-related uses similar to the current pattern. It also allows for limited non-marine commercial uses and residential uses on upper floors.
• The current B-1 District allows a wide range of uses, many of which are not appropriate in the Elm Street and shopping center area. The proposed amendments limit the types of uses allowed in the B-1 District. The Zoning Map will be revised to remove the residential properties on Temple and Spring Streets that are now zoned B-1 and put them in the existing R-3 zone.