Zoning Board of Appeals
Regular MeetingPortland, ME · June 18, 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 JUNE 18, 2026
To: City Clerk
From: Ann Machado, Zoning Administrator
Date: June 23, 2026
RE: Actions taken by the Zoning Board of Appeals on June 18, 2026 at a hybrid meeting
Attendance: Todd Morse (Chair), Andrew Weaver (Secretary), Nancy English, Dan Black,
Ryan Lizanecz, and Nathaniel Ferguson present. Graham Louis absent.
1. Old Business
A. Administrative Appeal (ZBA-003573-2026)
Administrative Appeal: 570 Congress ST, Ralph H Pride Trustee, Owner, Tax
Map 037, Block G, Lot 009, B-3 Mixed-Use Zone & PAD Overlay: The applicant
is appealing a Notice of Violation and requesting relief from window standards
(8.5.2.B) and permitted uses on the ground floor (8.5.2.A) of the Pedestrian
Activities Overlay District (PAD). Representing the appeal is the owner, Ralph
Pride. Tabled to a future date at the request of the applicant.
B. Practical Difficulty Variance Appeal (ZBA-003587-2026)
279 Congress ST, St. Paul’s Anglican Church, owners, Tax Map 021, Block E,
Lot 007 & 008, IS-FBC India Street Form-Based Zone, UA Subdistrict: The
applicant is seeking a Practical Difficulty Variance to reduce the minimum rear
yard setback from the required 10’ to 5’ [Section 9.1.7.C] for an addition.
Representing the appeal is Reverend Andrew S. Faust. The Board first heard the
appeal on May 21, 2026. At the request of the applicant, the Board voted 5-0 to
table the appeal until the 6/18/26 meeting. The board voted 5-1 (Black) to
grant the appeal.
2. Adjournment: The meeting started at 6:00 pm and adjourned at 6:40 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
Graham Louis
Nathaniel Fefurguson
Daniel Black
Nancy English
Ryan Lizanecz
APPEAL AGENDA
The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a hybrid Public Hearing on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 6:00
p.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: Jun 18, 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/89518504084
Phone one-tap:
+13092053325,,89518504084# US
+13126266799,,89518504084# US (Chicago)
Join via audio:
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Webinar ID: 895 1850 4084
International numbers available: https://portlandmaine-gov.zoom.us/u/kbHqya8fpq
1. Old Business
A. Administrative Appeal (ZBA-003573-2026)
570 Congress ST, Ralph H Pride Trustee, Owner, Tax Map 037, Block G, Lot 009,
B-3 Mixed-Use Zone & PAD Overlay: The applicant is appealing a Notice of
Violation and requesting relief from window standards (8.5.2.B) and permitted uses on
the ground floor (8.5.2.A) of the Pedestrian Activities Overlay District (PAD).
Representing the appeal is the owner, Ralph Pride. Tabled to a future date at the
request of the applicant.
B. Difficulty Variance Appeal (ZBA-003587-2026)
279 Congress ST, St. Paul’s Anglican Church, owners, Tax Map 021, Block E, Lot 007
& 008, IS-FBC India Street Form-Based Zone, UN Subdistrict: The applicant is seeking
a Practical Difficulty Variance to reduce the minimum rear yard setback from the
required 10’ to 5’ [Section 9.1.7.A] for an addition. Representing the appeal is Reverend
Andrew S. Faust. The Board first heard the appeal on May 21, 2026. At the request of
the applicant, the Board voted 5-0 to table the appeal until the 6/18/26 meeting.
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
Graham Louis
Nathaniel Fefurguson
Daniel Black
Nancy English
Ryan Lizanecz
APPEAL AGENDA
The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a hybrid Public Hearing on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 6:00
p.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: Jun 18, 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/89518504084
Phone one-tap:
+13092053325,,89518504084# US
+13126266799,,89518504084# US (Chicago)
Join via audio:
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Webinar ID: 895 1850 4084
International numbers available: https://portlandmaine-gov.zoom.us/u/kbHqya8fpq
1. Old Business
A. Administrative Appeal (ZBA-003573-2026)
570 Congress ST, Ralph H Pride Trustee, Owner, Tax Map 037, Block G, Lot 009,
B-3 Mixed-Use Zone & PAD Overlay: The applicant is appealing a Notice of
Violation and requesting relief from window standards (8.5.2.B) and permitted uses on
the ground floor (8.5.2.A) of the Pedestrian Activities Overlay District (PAD).
Representing the appeal is the owner, Ralph Pride. Tabled to a future date at the
request of the applicant.
B. Difficulty Variance Appeal (ZBA-003587-2026)
279 Congress ST, St. Paul’s Anglican Church, owners, Tax Map 021, Block E, Lot 007
& 008, IS-FBC India Street Form-Based Zone, UN Subdistrict: The applicant is seeking
a Practical Difficulty Variance to reduce the minimum rear yard setback from the
required 10’ to 5’ [Section 9.1.7.A] for an addition. Representing the appeal is Reverend
Andrew S. Faust. The Board first heard the appeal on May 21, 2026. At the request of
the applicant, the Board voted 5-0 to table the appeal until the 6/18/26 meeting.
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.