Saco City Council Meeting – January 12, 2026

The Saco City Council held a joint workshop with the Planning Board on new state land use mandates, followed by a workshop on a wave gauge proposal to monitor the Army Corps jetty spur. The regular meeting included public comments from Blue Haven mobile home park residents requesting a 180-day moratorium and rent stabilization, approval of a CAD RMS MOU with Biddeford, and discussion of an EV charging pilot policy.

Workshop on State Land Use Law Changes

• Attorney Phil Saucier presented an overview of recent state legislation (LD 2003, LD 1829, and related bills) that mandates changes to municipal zoning, including increased density allowances, elimination of owner-occupancy rules for ADUs, reduction of parking requirements, and prohibition of growth caps in designated growth areas. He noted effective dates: some provisions took effect September 2025, others will apply to Saco in July 2026 because of its city council form of government.
• Councillor Nathan Johnston expressed strong frustration with the state mandates, stating that they benefit developers without guaranteeing affordability, undermine local planning efforts, and impose significant administrative burdens. He indicated interest in joining Scarborough in passing a resolution opposing the changes.
• Councillor Trisha Hewitt asked about the definition of affordable housing under the density bonus provisions. Attorney Saucier explained it is based on area median income. City staff will provide specific dollar amounts.
• Councillor Will Gale inquired about the purpose of a new data collection requirement for municipalities over 4,000 residents (LD 1184). Mr. Saucier said it will help measure progress toward statewide housing production goals.
• Planning Board member Jeff Brochou raised concerns about eliminating sewer and water capacity reviews, warning of potential system failures. He suggested deed restrictions as a possible tool to limit density and encouraged the Council to be proactive.
• Planning Board Chair Matt Preventsel asked about inclusionary zoning as a tool to require affordable units. Mr. Saucier confirmed municipalities can adopt such ordinances, noting Portland’s requirement as an example.
• Councillor Johnson reiterated that the state’s approach fails to account for local differences and that Saco has a history of progressive planning.

Workshop on Section 4-34 (Planning Board Membership)

• The Council discussed a grievance about the professional backgrounds of planning board members, particularly limiting real estate brokers from serving as chair or vice chair.
• Planning Board members unanimously opposed restricting membership based on profession, stating that current conflict-of-interest rules are adequate and that a diverse professional background strengthens the board’s ability to make sound, defensible decisions.

Workshop on Wave Gauge Proposal

• David Plav, Chair of the Saco Shoreline Commission, and Will Kaczynski, UNE Professor, presented a proposal to purchase two wave gauges (approximately $9,000 total) to monitor wave energy before and after construction of the Army Corps jetty spur. The gauges would be deployed on either side of the jetty to measure changes in wave height and validate Army Corps models.
• Key details: The gauges measure water pressure at 30 times per second, accurate to 0.3 mm. UNE will cover all deployment and analysis costs; the city pays only for the equipment. Data can be used to inform future beach management and erosion mitigation efforts.
• Councilmembers expressed support, noting that the data is essential for the city to make independent decisions about coastal management. The item will be brought back as an agenda item for formal approval.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sarah Gardner (17 Pinehaven St.) requested a 180-day moratorium and rent stabilization for Blue Haven mobile home park, citing financial disparity between residents and the park owner (worth $57.9 million) and a non-negotiable $660 lot rent increase. She raised questions about enforcement and fairness in mediation.
• Kathy Dobbins (28 Meserve Circle) detailed a timeline of mediation steps, noting that the owner presented a new mediator without mutual agreement and indicated that the $660 is non-negotiable. She also reported that Shady Oak residents were redistributed to Onyx Capital, suggesting possible circumvention of first-refusal laws.
• Brian LaRoach (19 Reserve Circle) cited a Maine Housing Authority report showing a 187% income increase needed to afford median-priced homes, and urged council to schedule a workshop on a rent cap ordinance, referencing Old Orchard Beach and Sanford’s models and the LD 1765 report.
• Lisa DeRocher (18 Pine Haven St.) asked for a 180-day moratorium and rent stabilization, stating that residents are fighting a “corporate warfare nightmare.”
• Daniel Richards (7 Pine Haven St.) spoke of neighbors on fixed incomes fearing eviction.
• Hope Lambert (14 Pheasant Road) noted that despite property tax decreases for the park in 2022 and 2025, residents did not receive any rent reduction.
• Donna Stevens (32 Pinehaven St.) described stump grinding done just before the contract deadline as a perceived threat, and reported that the owner could not provide records for a convenience fee refund from 2024.
• Rev. Robert Henry (24 Pheasant Road) recounted the community’s journey, noting the need for legal representation and asking for time to navigate the mediation process.
• Gail Janes (29 Pinehaven St.) thanked council for past support and asked for a 180-day extension of the moratorium to protect residents during mediation.

Discussion Items

• CAD RMS MOU (Action Item A): Councillor Parks presented a memorandum of understanding between Saco and Biddeford police departments for a shared public safety software system. Biddeford, as the PSAP for Saco, will sign the contract; Saco will pay 50% of costs. Approved 6-0.
• EV Charging Pilot Policy: Director Summers introduced a draft policy for a Level 2 charger at the community center, which is currently free. The policy would set a 3-hour parking limit and a fee of twice the standard electricity rate per kWh, effective July 1, 2026. The plan is reviewed annually. Council expressed support.
• Administrative Update: City Administrator Ryan Pelletier announced the Ward 3 special election on January 13, 2026; warming center hours at the Transportation Center; and the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday closure on January 19 (no trash/recycling impact).

Key Outcomes

• CAD RMS MOU: Approved unanimously (6-0).
• Wave Gauge Proposal: Council agreed to bring the item back as an agenda item for formal approval, with an MOU between the city and UNE to be drafted.
• Blue Haven Moratorium and Rent Stabilization: Councillor Johnston and Gale voiced strong support for extending the moratorium by 180 days and initiating a workshop on a rent cap ordinance. Council will need to schedule these before the current moratorium expires on February 13, 2026.
• Section 4-34: No formal action taken; direction was to maintain current membership rules.
• EV Charging Policy: Set for formal adoption during budget season.
• Executive Session: Council entered executive session (6-0) to discuss a real estate economic development credit enhancement agreement at 8:33 PM.