PORTLAND (WGME) – While wages aren’t on the ballot in Portland this fall, changes to how short-term rentals are regulated are.
On Monday evening, Portland City Council approved a proposal to limit the number of non-owner-occupied rental apartments to 1.5 percent of the rental housing stock.
The city’s current cap is 400 rental units. If the proposal passes, that number will drop to about 270.
However, councillors say current landlords will not lose their licence.
Voters will have the final say on this issue in November.
Another project that will be pushed forward after Monday night’s city council meeting is a proposal for more affordable housing.
The Portland Housing Authority plans to demolish four multi-family buildings on Boyd and Mayo Streets and build a 55-unit apartment building in their place.
The agency said the current buildings were so dilapidated that residents had to move.
On Monday night, the City Council voted to provide tax breaks for the projects and approved a loan from the city’s housing fund to get the project underway.
Funding is still needed to move the project forward. Applications for funding can be submitted to the Maine Housing Authority until Tuesday.
The Portland City Council also voted to approve a liquor license for a proposed sports bar on Market Street.
The applicant, First Tracks Investments, LLC., says the concept for the sports bar also includes in-person sports betting.
However, the bar still needs to obtain permits to offer gambling on site.
These permits are issued by the state.
