The Bar Harbor Planning Department will hold a questions and answer session at the Jesup Memorial Library on May 13, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM on the three proposed housing related Articles (2, 3, and 4) on the June 11 ballot. Bar Harbor voters and the general public will have the opportunity to listen to the story behind why these housing  amendments are being proposed and the specific changes they include, as well as how these  initiatives fit in the overall housing strategy. 

This event is meant to provide information and other tools to ensure Bar Harbor voters know  where to get information on the proposed housing related changes. The Planning Department  envisions this event to help voters that may be unfamiliar or for the voters that want to learn  more. This in-person event is free with a Zoom option. 

The three housing related Articles are: 

• Article 2 – Employee Living Quarters-1 and Employee Living Quarters-2

• Article 3 – Shared Accommodations 

• Article 4 – Increased Housing Opportunities 

“We know that not every voter understands the Land Use Ordinance amendment process or  even the Land Use Ordinance itself. We also know it takes a lot of time and effort to be as  informed as possible, especially when it comes to understanding the legalese of the Land Use  Ordinance. Our department wants to demystify this technical and legal amendment process by  providing information and events that utilize everyday language that the voter understands,”  says Cali Martinez, Housing and Community Planner. “We are also aware that Articles 2, 3 , and  4 themselves do not speak to the Town’s overall housing strategy, which we feel provides a  helpful context to why these are coming forth now and how these changes complement and  build off of other housing efforts. In this same effort, we are trying to hold events at community  spaces, like the Jesup Library, to make a seemingly daunting and overwhelming process more  accessible and meaningful.” 

You can visit the Town’s website for more event and details on the proposed housing related  Articles, www.barharbormaine.gov/207/Land-Use-Information .