BELFAST — The Belfast City Council will hold its regularly scheduled public meeting Tuesday, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m. and address an agenda that includes a presentation on the proposed amendments to Chapter 82 Shoreland and Chapter 102 Zoning regarding the regulation of adult-use marijuana facilities.

Following the presentation a public hearing will be held, after which the proposed amendments will be read for a second time. It is noted in City Manager Erin Herbig’s report that no city council action needs to be taken for this agenda item, as this is just a presentation.

“The Council will review five tiers of cultivation, testing, and manufacturing. Retail sales are not part of this ordinance amendment. Cultivation for Tiers 1, 2, and nursery are proposed in all rural zoning districts. Cultivation tiers 3 and 4 are proposed for Searsport Ave Commercial and Route 1 South Commercial zoning districts. The proposed ordinance amendment does include any district inside the bypass. Testing and Manufacturing activities would be allowed where cultivation is proposed,” according to Herbig’s report.

The Belfast Planning Board conducted five meetings between Sept. 1 and Nov. 17, in addition to a public hearing held Oct. 6. During that meeting, the Board received one comment from Origins Cannabis, a developer who has proposed creating a Tier 4 marijuana cultivation facility in the old Moss Tent building, according to the Proposed Ordinance Amendments. (page 44/218)

The City Council conducted the first reading of the proposed amendments at its meeting Dec. 7. It is noted that the Council, “following the December 21 second reading of the amendments, has the authority to adopt, reject, amend, or table the proposed amendments. 

Meetings begin with a roll call of Belfast Mayor Eric Sanders, and City Councilors Mary Mortier, Neal Harkness, Michael Hurley, Brenda Bonneville, Paul Dean, in addition to City Manager Erin Herbig, and Administrative Assistant Manda Cushing. 

Under the consent agenda, a number of requests will be heard, including a request for a Victualer License for Chris and Martha Nickerson, doing business as BakediNNmaine, located at 192 Northport Avenue Belfast. Rollie’s Bar & Grill is also requesting approval for four catering permits for different off-site functions, including several holiday parties. 

A second presentation is featured on the business agenda concerning proposed amendments to the City Code of Ordinances Chapter 82 Shoreland Zoning, section 392 Timber Harvesting following a recommendation from the Belfast Planning Board, according to the agenda. This will be followed by a public hearing and second reading of the proposed amendments. 

A request to appoint Leigh Wilcox as the Superintendent of the Belfast Cemetery Department will also be heard by the Council.

Downtown accessibility is another topic of discussion, along with a discussion with the Climate Crisis Committee regarding storm-water upgrades.

The Climate Committee is also requesting to relocate the Divirod water level sensor. The sensor is currently located at the upper end of the light pole at the end of the breakwater, according to Herbig’s report. It has since been determined that the viewpoint of that sensor is less than optimal, and the Climate Committee is requesting authorization to relocate the Divirod water level sensor to a light standard on the south side of Armistice Bridge, commonly known as the footbridge. 

The Council will also discuss moving City Council Meetings from Zoom to in-person meetings. This will be followed by a discussion about a possible vaccine mandate for new City of Belfast employees. 

The finance director is requesting the Council accept funds from the HHS Stimulus/Provider Relief Funding in the amount of $46,223.49. According to Herbig’s report, Belfast has received the funds to help with the loss of revenues for the ambulance service. It is noted that only the City Council can accept the funding on behalf of the City. 

Finance Director Theresa Butler is requesting that the funds be placed into the Ambulance Receivable budget line to offset a loss of revenues during the pandemic. 

Belfast City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. Meetings are conducted online using Zoom and can be streamed on the City of Belfast website. They also air live on BEL TV and on Belfast Community Radio at WBFY 100.9. 

Anyone wishing to comment at the December 21  hearing regarding the proposed amendments to the City Code of Ordinances can do so in several ways, including:

Submitting a comment via email in advance of the meetings. Emails can be sent to Bub Fournier, Director of Planning and Codes. This is noted as the preferred method of submitting a comment. 

A letter can also be submitted by 2 p.m. on Dec. 21, to the Planning and Codes Department at 131 Church Street in Belfast. 

Comments can also be submitted by emailing the Council during the Dec. 21 meeting. Comments will be presented to the Council.

An oral comment can also be submitted during the meeting via Zoom webinar. Information for this method can be found on the City website.

Information and documents related to this meeting are available on the City’s website. 

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com