Bangor committee approves data center moratorium, parking committee changes

The Business and Economic Development Committee voted to send a 180-day moratorium on data centers to the full council for second reading. The group also approved changes to the Downtown Bangor Parking Committee structure and reviewed the Downtown Bangor Partnership's quarterly report.

Key points

• Committee members voted to forward a 180-day moratorium on data centers to the full council, with an effective date of April 13.
• Councilor Susan Deane requested a longer moratorium period, but City Manager Carollynn Lear noted state law limits the duration to 180 days.
• The committee approved an ordinance changing the Downtown Bangor Parking Committee chair role to a council liaison to align with other city committees.
• The Downtown Bangor Partnership reported healthy economic indicators, including a 2.4% commercial vacancy rate and strong restaurant retention rates.
• Councilor Wayne Mallar raised concerns about the Downtown Partnership's budget transparency and credit for city funding, which staff clarified is derived from special assessments rather than the general fund.
• The committee voted to enter executive session to discuss the potential sale of properties at 10 Hershey Avenue, 17 4th Street, and 75 4th Street to Back 40 Builders.

Next steps

• The full council will consider the data center moratorium ordinance at its April 13 meeting.
• Staff will send detailed lease information for city-owned properties to committee members.
• The city plans to hold a public open house for Community Development Block Grant programs on April 7.
• Staff will propose using enterprise fund money to outsource property management services for city-owned assets.

Read the full transcript