Munjoy Hill News

Bill Needleman, city's senior planner, at a planning board meeting recently.

Setting the tone for the second and final forum on the waterfront central zone last night, was a comprehensive overview of the policies and the zoning process itself currently in place. The presentation was given by the city’s senior planner, Bill Needleman. Following his presentation, the 60 or so members of the public broke up into eight focus groups to express their opinions on the waterfronnt and its future.

In his introductory remarks, Needleman said, in part: that the comprehensive plan has not been reviewed since its inception in 1992. That fact combined with the application of the coalition of wharf owners for relief made this review timely.

Needlemen went on to say that the central waterfront is a mixed use area as it stands now. Fishing, marine tourism, retail, restaurants, marine research and environmental services are some of the interests already functioning in the central waterfront zone.

Generally, the current zoning ordinance functions to preserve the water’s edge for berthing, preserve property with direct water access and should be reserved exclusively for marine use, permit marine compatible uses on other property that does not interfere in any way with water dependent uses and promote public access and environmentally responsible practices.

The eight focus groups were asked to respond to the three following questions:

1. Curent policy protects working waterfront uses in the central waterfront: Have these policies helped or hindered economic viability for the district and the city?

2. The pier owner’s proposal would allow new development options in the central waterfront: How would significant non-marine development on the waterfront impacat the district and the city as a whole?

3. Portland has a unique mix of uses and assets along the central waerfront: What elements should be retained and what elements new elements can be added?

The results of these focus groups will be compiled and forwarded to the planning board. They will also be made available to the public on-line at some point.

Meanwhile, representatives of the wharf owners coalition will have an opportunity to present their proposal to the planning board on Tuesday, March 9th at 3:30 pm. Public comment will be taken then. The meeting is at the city hall, room 209, second floor.

Please visit Post # 404, dated March 3rd, for more background information on the subject.

By Carol McCracken (Post # 404)

The future of tourism, the fishing industry, the sustainability of wharves and the introduction of marine researach to the area were the focus of a sprawling presentation last night intended to assist the city’s planning board in deciding whether or not to make text amendments to the comprehensive plan for the Portland waterfront. The planning board hosted the event at the Merrill Auditorium Rehersal Hall on Myrtle Street which was well attended.

A review of the comprehensive plan was necessitated by the petitioning begun last October by three representatives of a coalition of eleven wharf owners to relax the city’s zoning ordinance to give them more leeway in renting policies in the waterfront central zone. (WCZ) The three representatives are Steve DiMillo, Charlie Poole and Dick Ingalls. The so-called text amendment has already been written by the city’s staff and was paid for by the wharf owners.

Burt Jogerden, general manager of the Portland Fish Exchange, said the future for the fishing industry is “bleak” here. The groundfishermen are going to Massachusetts where the financial incentives are better. It’s certain that the introduction of new fishing regulations by the government this spring will further deplete the number of fishermen in Portland – possibly by half. However, the lobster industry is very strong here. For the 2009 season, there was a record catch.

Charlie Poole whose family owns Union Wharf served on the panel as well – representing the interests of the 11 wharf owners. He said that the impression some may have garnered that wharf owners want to be able to rent to “recreational” boats is not accurate. So-called “yachts” would suffer far too much damage off his wharf were they to berth there.

Barbara Whitten, executive director of the Greater Portland Convention and Visitor Bureau said that public accessibility to the waterfront is vital to attract tourists. She cited DiMillo’s Floating Restaurant as a model for attracting tourists; access to the waterfront in a very pleasant setting. At the conclusion of the two hour forum, Dick Ingalls, reminded the planning board that the coalition was requesting only five specific changes. Chair Bill Hall responded that he understood, but it was necessary to go through this lengthy process. The three representatives have repeatedly expressed frustration at the slowness of the process since last fall.

Sam Davidson, owner of the Marine Trade Center said following the forum: “It’s hard to overlay a single policy on a waterfront that has different and diverse needs. As a member of the waterfront, I’m not looking for substantial changes – changes that will change the character and nature of the waterfront.”

The second forum will be held tonight at the Merrill Auditorium Rehearsal Hall from 7 pm – 9 pm.

Please visit post # 401, dated February 21, for more background information on the subject.

By Carol McCracken (Post # 403)

The green shack with yellow trim lit up at nightfall has finally been given a second life after years of non-use; it’s the shack that looks as though it should have blown over during the recent wind storm but somehow didn’t. Rather, it’s the new home for Skinny Cart BBQ. Noontime today was the opening day for Ron Gan’s newest creation – at 202 Washington Avenue.

A developer who has decided to wait out the economic downturn by pursuing another passion of his, cooking, Gan spent most of last year developing a product of which he’s very proud, he said earlier today at his start-up business. “It’s hard to start up a food cart and to develop a quality sandwich,” ‘Gan said. Since July, he’s been working with groups of food tasters who gave him feedback on the BBQ until Gan had it right. It didn’t all come together until the end of December.

The opening of his Skinny Cart coincided with the opening day of Maine Restaurant Week, although it was incidental. Gan didn’t plan it that way. His inspiration for barbequed beef came from his grandmother; Rebecca. She taught him all about barbequing back in Chicago where Gan is from. The ingredients are the best he could find and are all locally purchased. He gets rolls from Sorellas, Andeson Street, and beef from Pat’s Meat Market, Stevens Avenue. Add some cooked onions to Ronnie G’s Miracle (also secret!) Sauce – this is a sandwich destined to find a local and lasting niche as part of Portland’s reputation as a foodie town. (See above photograph of Ron Gan.)

On the wall facing his desk is a night photograph of a stunning, modern home Gan built in downtown Chicago for his family. Eventually he sold it. “That was an artistic endeavor and so is this enterprise,” he said referring to Skinny Cart. “This has been a lot about transferring skills. The methodology is similar.” Gan developed the Federal Street townhouses a few years ago.

The Skinny Cart BBQ is open Monday through Friday for lunch from 11 am to 2 pm. The beef sandwich is $5.95 and Gan also sells soda and chips. Customers can email Gan to place orders at skinnycartBBQ@gmail.com.

By Carol McCracken (Post # 402)

The people lost their power last night – and they got it back late this afternoon. That is, they lost their electric power and all that went with it. That meant heat specifically and hot coffee and a hot breakfast that so many expect on winter mornings. For others it may have meant a restless night because of the howling winds whistling around buildings on the Hill – with high gusts of wind approaching hurricane speeds – and the torrential rains that came in from all directions everywhere!

The Big Apple on Washingon Avenue did not lose its electricity and did a high volume of coffee business. Store manager and Hill resident Patrick said this morning that coffee business was definitely higher than normal. However, coffee giant Hilltop Coffee was closed all day due to the power failure. The Rosemont Market & Bakery next door did not open until around 4 pm – after the electricity was back on and the cash register was working.

Along the waterfront, Portland Yacht Services lost its power until late in the day according to Phin Sprague, Jr. A 30 ft. sailboat belong to PYS employee Rob Benson fell over onto the ground early this morning. It was placed back into its cradle by a crane later in the day. Probably the most extensive damage occurrred at 50 Portland Pier when a rubber roof became detached on one side and caved in due to the weight of the water. A team of trash removers was loading trucks full of debris to be hauled away. “I’ll probably be here all night tonight doing this,” said one of the workers. The red brick office building is about 20 years old.

The nearby DiMillo’s Floating Restaurant & Marina had minor internal water damage. Some of the shrink wrap covering the yachts also had to be replaced because of damage to them. Back up on Newbury Street, Mark Moran was concerned about his apartment building that had developed a leak in the foundation. “I just want the power back. I can’t fix the problem until I have the power back,” he said. His building is next to the Abyssinain Meetinghouse.

Marshall Hebert, substations’ technician for Cenral Maine Power was directing the repair work on Fore Street about 2 pm this afternoon. “I’m surprised we didn’t have more damage considering the strong winds we had last night,” he said. He’s been with CMP almost 39 years. (See above photograph.)

However, it wasn’t until late this afternoon that MHN learned from Ed King, editor of the West End News that power had returned to residents of the Hill. King, who lives on the Hill was relaxing in front of the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization office, “MHNO,” on Congress Street. (Ed was pleased that his bi-weekly free newspaper is now into its tenth year of publication; congratulations Ed!)

Dominic White, a resident of the Hill, said that the power failure kept him from “not being on my computer for the day. It helped me get some chores done,” he said laughing.