PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 22, 2022
Portland is moving ahead with a proposal to repeal restrictions aimed at addressing development concerns in the area around a new historic district on Munjoy Hill. On Tuesday the planning board voted 7-0 to recommend that it repeal the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District. “Given the change with the Green New Deal, the historic district, the economy, COVID and our housing crunch, I have no problem recommending we repeal this,” board Vice Chair Brandon Mazer said. Mike Hoover, a resident of Melbourne Street, urged the board to keep the overlay. He said the current development trends on Munjoy Hill are for large condos that are not architecturally compatible with the surrounding neighborhood and not affordable for most residents. Sarah Hansen, executive director of Greater Portland Landmarks, said, “Removing the only form of protection for historic structures on over half of Munjoy Hill will remove the opportunity for thoughtful review and analysis that is helping shape the future of the eastern peninsula.”