Melanie Baillargeon

This document outlines the City of Augusta's goals for 2026, focusing on six key areas. The plan aims to increase housing availability and support residents, broaden the tax base through developer and entrepreneur attraction, and maintain organizational excellence with strong civic engagement. Additionally, it seeks to improve mobility and access to transportation, enhance the quality of life through community spaces and activities, and protect public assets with strategic infrastructure investments.

This document outlines the City's Council Goals for 2026, focusing on six key areas. The plan aims to increase housing through improved project viability and resident support, broaden the tax base by attracting developers and retaining small businesses, enhance organizational excellence and civic engagement, improve mobility and access via dependable and affordable transportation, elevate quality of life by enhancing community spaces and maintaining public order, and protect public assets through strategic infrastructure investments and maintenance.

The Planning Board held a meeting that included several public hearings and workshops. The first hearing concerned a Major Development application to convert the Burleigh Building at the Kennebec Arsenal into 15 residential apartments, which was ultimately approved with amendments regarding parking restrictions. The second hearing involved an application to increase residential apartment units from 35 to 46 in an existing building, which was approved contingent upon the applicant providing a surety bond for reconstruction and restoration work following unauthorized demolition activity on a portion of the structure. The third hearing approved an application for PURRSEW LLC to operate an educational services use with waivers for parking and other site requirements. The Board also held a workshop regarding Land Use Ordinance Text Amendments for Indoor Shooting Ranges and tabled a workshop concerning the Incorporation of LD 1829 into the Land Use Ordinance.

The meeting commenced with a presentation regarding the Lithgow Library's 130th Anniversary. Public hearings were held concerning an Adult Use Cannabis Retail Store License for Cannabis Haven Augusta and a Liquor License for Capital Bar & Grille, LLC. Under new business, the Council approved the retail cannabis license and the liquor license. Furthermore, an order was passed authorizing the refund of $3,100 in license application fees paid by massage establishments and therapists due to the absence of a specified fee schedule. A new fee schedule establishing a $50 licensing fee for massage establishments and therapists was adopted. In old business, the Council voted to amend Chapter 137 of the Code of Ordinances regarding the registration and fees for vacant or abandoned buildings, which included increasing the permit fees for commercial and residential entities.

The City of Augusta's 2026 Council Goals outline key priorities for the year. These goals focus on increasing housing options, expanding the tax base, enhancing organizational excellence and civic engagement, improving mobility and access, elevating the quality of life through community spaces and activities, and protecting public assets through strategic infrastructure investment.