ROCKLAND — A Union Street building is the focus of a possible zoning change that comes before City Council this month.

As of Friday afternoon, March 31, no entity has submitted application paperwork to the Planning Office at City Hall indicating interest in renovating 11 Union Street (tax map 5-C-1), yet councilors are proactively considering allowing future residential use within the first floor of the two-story building.

The ordinance amendment would exempt the building from the requirement that at least 75% of the street level floor area be used for commercial purposes. That would allow opportunity for development of residential units in the space previously reserved for business.

The building is at the intersection of Union and Myrtle streets, and currently has a sign outside displaying the information for Community Action women, infants, and children program. Walgreens is to its right, Maine Behavioral Healthcare is across the street, and a house is to its left.

Council will vote on the measure (#12 Ch. 19, Sec. 19-206 DT Zone Regs; Residential Use) in Final Reading and Public Hearing on Monday, April 10. And, though no actions can be taken prior to Council vote, the ordinance amendment is also listed as the Planning Board’s only discussion item for the Board’s Tuesday, April 4, agenda.

Zillow lists the building as a single-family, three-bedroom, 3.5 bath, 4,464 square-foot space, built in 1985, with a lot size of 10,454 square feet. Spokeo lists it as three bedrooms, four baths, and 11 residents. 

Maine Community Action Agency, a part of the Maine State Housing Authority, lists its Rockland office as Penquis Community Action Program, 315 Main Street, Suite 205.

The Tuesday, April 4, 2023 Rockland Planning Board meeting begins at 5:15 p.m.; meetings are held in Rockland City Hall Council Chambers.

The Rockland City Council agenda-setting meeting will be held Monday, April 3, beginning at 5:30 p.m., in Rockland City Hall Council Chambers and can be viewed via live stream through the City website as well as Spectrum cable channel 1303.

The Rockland City Council meeting monthly voting meeting will be held Monday, April 10, at 6 p.m. 

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com