Portland's City Council is looking at new development restrictions to the city's commercial waterfront in response to fishermen's fears that they are being crowded out by the city's rapid development. Willis Spear docks his lobster boat at a Portland pier. At a City Council meeting Monday night he said the wharves are designed to facilitate the loading and unloading of water-born cargo - commerce that simply cannot take place elsewhere.
"The wharf is not made for human occupation," Spear said. "The forefathers of Portland knew this and zoned and taxed accordingly. But developers and some wharf owners don't see the hazards of people living and working on a wharf with only one entrance and one exit when it's within a flood zone, and insists it's their right to change zoning so they can make a profit."
The new zoning would reduce the area on the water side of Commercial Street where some non-marine-related businesses, such as restaurants and retail stores, can be located. It would also eliminate opportunities for developers to petition for specific exceptions.
Pier owners say the new rule is too restrictive. The council agreed to take a final vote on the issue at its next meeting.