ROCKLAND — The Rockland City Council Monday night approved the final reading of a zoning amendment during its regular meeting at City Hall. The amendment passed 3-1-1, with Councilor Elizabeth Dickerson opposed and Councilor Eric Hebert absent.

Dickerson was at times critical of the amendment and even emotional as she argued for property rights, thinking her property was included in the zoning changes. When asked by Rockland Mayor Will Clayton if she would recuse herself from the voting, she replied with a firm, “absolutely not.”

As tensions grew, Clayton called for a five-minute recess to determine if Dickerson had a conflict of interest with the issue. The council was informed that Dickerson’s property was not part of the proposed rezoning, a point that had eluded Dickerson. She went on to focus on lot sizes, saying the minimum two-acre lot size requirement amounted to taking away property rights.

“The changes require a minimum of two acres for lots. This would prevent people from dividing up land either for sale or to pass down to a family member as has been done for centuries,” said Dickerson.

Councilor Larry Prichett said the changes would encourage farming and locally grown food. He also commented that the two-acre lot size had been adapted by other Midcoast communities and met with success.

“I think this is a positive, forward looking zoning amendment. Time will tell if this works or not, but I see it as forward thinking and being proactive. These things are never easy and I see this as an attempt at being balanced and thoughtful,” said Prichett.

In other business before the council, the city approved 4-0 to issue a bond, and then to place that bond on the November ballot, in the amount of $586,000 to finance construction of a new salt and sand shed.

Parking on Cottage Street, on the south side of Main and North Main streets, was banned, by a vote of 4-0-1.

Liquor and entertainment licenses were issued to The Waterworks Restaurant and Fog Bar and Café. A lodging house license was issued to Trade Winds Motor Inn and a license to operate a taxi company was issued to Joe’s Taxi, for eight taxicabs. 

To reach Chris Wolf, email news@penbaypilot.com.