Zoning Board of Appeals
Regular MeetingPortland, ME · January 15, 2026
Minutes
CITY OF PORTLAND, MAINE
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Todd Morse, Chair
Andrew Weaver, Secretary
Dan Black
Nancy English
Nathanial Ferguson
\\\\\\\\\\ Ryan Lizanecz
Graham Louis
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
DECISION FROM JANUARY 15, 2026
To: City Clerk
From: Ann Machado, Zoning Administrator
Date: January 16, 2026
RE: Actions taken by the Zoning Board of Appeals on January 15, 2026 at a hybrid meeting
Attendance: Todd Morse (Chair), Andrew Weaver (Secretary), Nancy English, Dan Black,
Ryan Lizanecz, Nathaniel Ferguson and Graham Louis present.
1. New Business
A. Practical Difficulty Appeal (ZBA-003494-2025)
1 Willis ST, Johan Kinnucan & Amy Freedberg, owners, Tax Map 015,
Block C, Lot 014, RN-4 Residential Neighborhood Zone: The applicant is
seeking a Practical Difficulty Variance to reduce the minimum front yard
setback from the required 13’6” to 5’ [Table 7-A & Section 7-2, Figure
7-H] for the purpose of constructing a single family home. Representing
the appeal are the owners Johan Kinnucan & Amy Freedberg. The Board
voted 6-1 (Ferguson) to deny the variance.
B. Conditional Use Appeal (CU-003504-2025)
1476 Forest Avenue, Casco Bay Recovery, LLC, lessee. Tax Map 298,
Block B, Lot 023, RN-1 Residential Neighborhood Zone: The applicant
is seeking a Conditional Use approval under Section 14-6.5.2 to operate
a Residential Care Facility (Small). Representing the appeal is Beth
Coles, attorney. The Board voted 7-0 to grant the conditional use.
2. Adjournment . The meeting started at 6:00 pm and adjourned at 7:30 pm.
cc: Danielle West, City Manager
Kevin Kraft, Director Planning & Urban Development
City Councilors
Planning Board Members
Agenda
CITY OF PORTLAND, MAINE
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Todd Morse, Chair
Andrew Weaver, Secretary
Daniel Black
Nancy English
Ryan Lizanecz
APPEAL AGENDA
The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a hybrid Public Hearing on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at
6:00p.m. in Room 24 at Portland City Hall.
This meeting will be held using hybrid methods/technology in accordance with the requirements of 1
M.R.S. section 403-B and the Zoning Board of Appeal’s Remote Participation Policy. To participate
remotely, allow your computer to install the free Zoom app to get the best meeting experience. If you
are not able to attend live, a recording will be available following the meeting.
For remote public comment during the meeting, you will need to use the "raise your hand" feature.
To raise your hand via the telephone, please hit *9. You will be unmuted by the host when it is time
for public comment.
To submit written public comment on an agenda item, email zoning@portlandmaine.gov. Submissions
must be received by 12:00 pm the day before the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting to guarantee their
inclusion in the agenda packet. All submissions must include the commenter's name and legal address.
To help ensure your comment is submitted for the correct item, please include the name of the agenda
item (see below).
ZOOM MEETING INSTRUCTIONS:
You are invited to a Zoom webinar!
When: January 15, 2026 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Zoning Board of Appeals
Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
https://portlandmaine-gov.zoom.us/j/86735837996
Phone one-tap:
+16469313860,,86735837996# US
+19292056099,,86735837996# US (New York)
Join via audio:
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Webinar ID: 867 3583 7996
International numbers available: https://portlandmaine-gov.zoom.us/u/kkSwGf75S
1. New Business
A. Practical Difficulty Appeal (ZBA-003494-2025)
1 Willis ST, Johan Kinnucan & Amy Freedberg, owners, Tax Map 015, Block C, Lot
014, RN-4 Residential Neighborhood Zone: The applicant is seeking a Practical
Difficulty Variance to reduce the minimum front yard setback from the required 13’6”
to 5’ [Table 7-A & Section 7-2, Figure 7-H] for the purpose of constructing a single
family home. Representing the appeal are the owners Johan Kinnucan & Amy
Freedberg.
B. Conditional Use Appeal (CU-003504-2025)
1476 Forest Avenue, Casco Bay Recovery, LLC, lessee. Tax Map 298, Block B, Lot
023, RN-1 Residential Neighborhood Zone: The applicant is seeking a Conditional
Use approval under Section 14-6.5.2 to operate a Residential Care Facility (Small).
Representing the appeal is Beth Coles, attorney.
2. Adjournment
INSTRUCTIONS FOR VIEWING APPEAL APPLICATIONS:
Please find the appeal documents by following these steps:
1. Go to the following website: https://selfservice.portlandmaine.gov/EnerGov_Prod/SelfService#/home
2. Click on “Search Public Records”
3. Choose Plan in Search Box pull down
4. Type in Plan Number from agenda (Ex: ZBA-009999-2020) and click the “Search” button.
5. Click on the blue Plan Number. This will open the record.
6. Select the “Attachments” tab and all available documents will appear and can be downloaded.
Packet
CITY OF PORTLAND, MAINE
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
Todd Morse, Chair
Andrew Weaver, Secretary
Daniel Black
Nancy English
Ryan Lizanecz
APPEAL AGENDA
The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a hybrid Public Hearing on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at
6:00p.m. in Room 24 at Portland City Hall.
This meeting will be held using hybrid methods/technology in accordance with the requirements of 1
M.R.S. section 403-B and the Zoning Board of Appeal’s Remote Participation Policy. To participate
remotely, allow your computer to install the free Zoom app to get the best meeting experience. If you
are not able to attend live, a recording will be available following the meeting.
For remote public comment during the meeting, you will need to use the "raise your hand" feature.
To raise your hand via the telephone, please hit *9. You will be unmuted by the host when it is time
for public comment.
To submit written public comment on an agenda item, email zoning@portlandmaine.gov. Submissions
must be received by 12:00 pm the day before the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting to guarantee their
inclusion in the agenda packet. All submissions must include the commenter's name and legal address.
To help ensure your comment is submitted for the correct item, please include the name of the agenda
item (see below).
ZOOM MEETING INSTRUCTIONS:
You are invited to a Zoom webinar!
When: January 15, 2026 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Zoning Board of Appeals
Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
https://portlandmaine-gov.zoom.us/j/86735837996
Phone one-tap:
+16469313860,,86735837996# US
+19292056099,,86735837996# US (New York)
Join via audio:
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Webinar ID: 867 3583 7996
International numbers available: https://portlandmaine-gov.zoom.us/u/kkSwGf75S
1. New Business
A. Practical Difficulty Appeal (ZBA-003494-2025)
1 Willis ST, Johan Kinnucan & Amy Freedberg, owners, Tax Map 015, Block C, Lot
014, RN-4 Residential Neighborhood Zone: The applicant is seeking a Practical
Difficulty Variance to reduce the minimum front yard setback from the required 13’6”
to 5’ [Table 7-A & Section 7-2, Figure 7-H] for the purpose of constructing a single
family home. Representing the appeal are the owners Johan Kinnucan & Amy
Freedberg.
B. Conditional Use Appeal (CU-003504-2025)
1476 Forest Avenue, Casco Bay Recovery, LLC, lessee. Tax Map 298, Block B, Lot
023, RN-1 Residential Neighborhood Zone: The applicant is seeking a Conditional
Use approval under Section 14-6.5.2 to operate a Residential Care Facility (Small).
Representing the appeal is Beth Coles, attorney.
2. Adjournment
INSTRUCTIONS FOR VIEWING APPEAL APPLICATIONS:
Please find the appeal documents by following these steps:
1. Go to the following website: https://selfservice.portlandmaine.gov/EnerGov_Prod/SelfService#/home
2. Click on “Search Public Records”
3. Choose Plan in Search Box pull down
4. Type in Plan Number from agenda (Ex: ZBA-009999-2020) and click the “Search” button.
5. Click on the blue Plan Number. This will open the record.
6. Select the “Attachments” tab and all available documents will appear and can be downloaded.