Bangor Planning Board votes 4-3 to reject Ohio Street arterial reclassification

The Bangor Planning Board voted to recommend against a proposed code amendment that would reclassify Ohio Street as a major arterial street. Following more than an hour of public opposition, the board determined the street does not meet the statutory traffic volume or infrastructure criteria for the designation. The recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council, which would require a two-thirds vote to override the board's decision.

Key points

• Jonathan Boucher was elected chair of the Planning Board, and Janet Sanborn Jonas was elected vice chair.
• The board approved the minutes from the December 16, 2025 meeting and adopted findings for Map Lot R21-009 on Pushaw Road.
• Staff presented a proposal to remove Ohio Street from the minor arterial definition and add it to the major arterial definition to align with existing uses.
• Dozens of residents spoke in opposition, citing concerns about increased traffic, loss of residential character, and the street's failure to meet the 10,000 daily vehicle threshold.
• The board voted 4-3 to recommend the amendment ought not to pass, with members Brush, Huhn, Jonas, and Whitford voting no and Boucher, Hayes, and Hobson voting yes.
• Assistant City Solicitor Grace Innis provided training on due process, the Freedom of Access Act, and code of ethics for board members.

Next steps

• The City Council will review the Planning Board's recommendation at its next meeting on January 12, 2026.
• Staff will continue with the land development code update process, including a draft for public review.

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