Aligning policy goals with planning outcomes: A client-based thesis in Portland, Maine

Abstract

In 2018, Portland, Maine began the process of rewriting its Land Use Code for the first time in over fifty years. A primary motivation for the ReCode effort was the opportunity to align the code with Portland’s Plan 2030, the city’s comprehensive plan adopted in 2017. With the initial phase of the ReCode complete, streamlining and simplifying the existing code, subsequent phases will evaluate existing zones and regulations for consistency with the comprehensive plan’s goals. This thesis complements that work through the analysis and envisioning of two sites in the city facing development pressure. It asks: how can zoning facilitate development aligned with broader planning goals, and what factors influence the likelihood of that development? First, I situate the sites in their present and historical contexts. Existing planning relevant to each site is then considered both for its broader themes and future implications. An economic assessment reveals the market factors and local/regional dynamics that influence development in the area. I then present plausible development scenarios for each site, and utilize case studies to illustrate alternative scenarios. I conclude with recommendations for the city to consider throughout its ReCode process.