Shara Dee

This document outlines the 2026 Council Goals for South Portland. Key priorities include establishing an East-West connection for various modes of transport, pursuing a city building bond referendum, and initiating the implementation of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The goals also focus on enhancing Council effectiveness through staff collaboration, community outreach, and efficient committee utilization. Additionally, the plan aims to expand affordable and moderate-income housing, redevelop Portland Pipeline land, protect air quality, and implement environmental objectives from the One Climate Future initiative and other adopted city plans.

The City Council meeting addressed several administrative and regulatory items. Key agenda points included the postponement of 23 appointment items for various committees, such as the Transit Advisory Committee, Board of Assessment Review, and Planning Board, until the next scheduled meeting. Items passed on the Consent Calendar involved the approval of appointments to the Conservation Commission and Historic Preservation Committee, acceptance of a proposal for PFML Coverage contingent upon State approval, acceptance of Maine Department of Transportation funds, and acceptance of Criminal Forfeiture Funds. Under Public Hearings and Action, the Council passed an Ordinance amending Chapter 27 regarding Coal Storage. New business included the approval of an appointment to the Jetport Noise Advisory Committee, authorization to enter into an Administrative Consent Agreement concerning tree cutting violations at the Portland International Jetport, and acceptance of grants and donations. A proposed Ordinance establishing a Temporary Eviction Moratorium failed. The session concluded with a workshop discussion providing guidance on Mahoney/City Facilities matters.

This Smart Corridor Plan outlines a transportation and streetscape vision for a critical 7-mile roadway corridor connecting Portland and South Portland. The plan's primary goals are to encourage high-quality development, enhance safety across all travel modes, manage traffic access and congestion, and improve multimodal options including public transit, walking, and bicycling. It seeks to balance the needs of all roadway users and stakeholders to support economic development and desired land use outcomes.

The West End Neighborhood Master Plan aims to create and maintain a vibrant, safe, and livable neighborhood with a strong sense of community. It focuses on enhancing neighborhood connectivity and regional access for all transportation modes, ensuring a sustainable community through affordable housing and expanded local amenities, increasing recreation and open space opportunities, and redeveloping the neighborhood center.

This document presents a detailed audit of the City of South Portland's 2012 Comprehensive Plan, conducted between fall 2021 and winter 2022. It systematically reviews the plan's thirteen general elements and land use components, assessing the status and relevance of existing policies and implementation activities. The audit provides recommendations for each policy (carry forward, remove, or needs discussion) and identifies key takeaways to inform the development of a forthcoming Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new Comprehensive Plan. Strategic considerations highlighted include equity, community engagement, economic development, infrastructure, architectural design, implementation strategies, integration with the One Climate Future plan, and broader policy integration, aiming to guide future planning for the next 12 years.