Kittery council backs Rogers Park rezoning, splits on Route 1 housing change

The Kittery Town Council approved a zoning map amendment for the Rogers Park conservation area and, on a 4-1 vote, allowed single-family homes as a special exception use in a narrow part of the Commercial Zone 1 along Adams Drive and Ox Point Drive. Councilors also approved the November 3 election warrant, appointed election officials, and adopted the annual general assistance appendices. Residents of the Yankee Green mobile home park urged the council to begin drafting a permanent lot rent stabilization ordinance before the current moratorium expires.

Key points

• The council voted 5-0 to rezone Rogers Park from the residential RU district to a conservation designation, following a unanimous Planning Board recommendation.
• The council voted 4-1 to allow single-family dwellings as a special exception use in the C1 commercial zone on properties with frontage on Adams Drive and Ox Point Drive; Councilor Mason voted no, saying the change was rushed and conflicted with the town's density and affordable housing goals.
• Several Adams Drive residents spoke in favor, saying single-family homes would generate less traffic than apartments or townhouses; the Conservation Commission submitted a comment in opposition, arguing the commercial zone is the right place for denser housing and that single-family development means more driveways, impervious surface, and runoff into Spruce Creek.
• Planning Director Jason Garnum explained that special exception review sends a project to the Planning Board or Board of Appeals rather than directly to code enforcement, and that single-family use is an unusual candidate for that designation.
• Yankee Green residents asked the council to draft a permanent rent stabilization ordinance before the 180-day moratorium expires at the end of January, proposing a fixed 3 percent annual cap, a volunteer rent stabilization board, and an affordability threshold tied to 40 percent of median Social Security income.
• The council approved the November 3 general election warrant, appointed registrars, deputy registrars, a warden, and a deputy warden, and adopted the 2026-27 general assistance appendices, all by 5-0 votes.

Next steps

• The council will work on a permanent rent stabilization ordinance and update residents as it progresses; the moratorium expires at the end of January.
• The town manager's report noted the Freebie Barn closes for the season October 31, with donations accepted only through October 10, and the customer service center and town clerk's office close early October 1 for staff training.
• Upcoming meetings include an October 15 council meeting and an October 26 workshop on TIF districts at 5 p.m.
• The town is seeking a council representative for the USS Columbia welcoming committee and volunteers for Board of Appeals vacancies.

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