Tag Archives: Election 2024

Welcome to the District Five Insider, a newsletter about the big decisions making their way through the City Council, what they mean for District Five, and how you can get involved. Enter your email and click subscribe to receive this newsletter in your mailbox.

Wednesday November 27, 2024

Defending Portland’s Green New Deal: Building a City That Works for Everyone

Portland’s Green New Deal (GND) is a bold initiative passed by voters in 2020 to tackle the housing crisis, advance environmental sustainability, and protect workers’ rights. At its core is a commitment to equity through inclusionary zoning, which ensures that new developments contribute to affordable housing. Yet, as predictable as the tides, some developers and business groups have criticized this policy, claiming it hinders progress. Let’s break down why these critiques miss the mark—and why the GND is essential for Portland’s future.

The Case for Inclusionary Zoning

Inclusionary zoning requires that developments with 10 or more units dedicate 25% to affordable housing, or contribute a fee to Portland’s Housing Trust Fund. Critics claim this discourages development, but since the GND’s enactment in 2020, Portland has approved and built more affordable housing units. Developers like Tom Landry argue that without these requirements, they “could have” built more. The question is, more of what?

Would it be more luxury condos with sky-high price tags that working families can’t afford? More second and third homes for the wealthy, that sit empty for half the year, while the people who make Portland run day-to-day are forced out of the city? The idea that simply building more market-rate housing will solve the housing crisis ignores reality. For years, we had development focused on high-end units, with the promise that affordability would eventually follow. It didn’t. Portland deserves better than the fantasy of “trickle-down” housing.

Incentives Aren’t the Problem

Some critics suggest that developers need more incentives to build affordable housing. Let’s be honest: the profit margins on luxury condos and high-end apartments are already incentive enough. Developers aren’t charities—they build where they can maximize returns. Inclusionary zoning makes them consider community impact. The suggestion from the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce to reverse these requirements rests on a flawed assumption: that developers will voluntarily create affordable housing. History has shown otherwise. Without regulations, the market skews toward high-end projects, leaving working families behind.

Addressing Hotels vs. Housing

Some critics have pointed out the imbalance in how Portland incentivizes hotels over housing, and they are right to do so. However, this issue is not an indictment of the Green New Deal itself. Hotel inclusionary zoning was never part of the GND and has not been updated to meet the higher standards set by it. The disparity lies in the fact that hotel impact fees remain much lower than those applied to residential developments, which creates an uneven playing field and encourages hotel construction over housing. The six-month hotel moratorium that Councilor Ali and I championed gives the Council the time to address this gap and align our policies to prioritize housing development.

Raising the Standards

Before the Green New Deal, Portland’s outdated building codes allowed developers to cut corners, producing cheaply constructed, energy-inefficient buildings. These homes burden working families with high heating bills and worsen our city’s carbon footprint. The GND changed that, mandating modern energy efficiency standards and better materials. These standards save families money, reduce emissions, and ensure new buildings align with Portland’s commitment to sustainability. Developers lament these additional costs, but we must ask: Who pays the price for substandard construction? It’s not them—it’s us.

A Nuanced Approach to Development

Critics who call for the GND to be repealed entirely reflect a reactionary stance rather than a constructive one. Sweeping statements like these overlook the nuance required to address Portland’s housing crisis. Portland’s growth is not a zero-sum game; thoughtful adjustments to the GND and complementary efforts like my proposal for a Mayoral Task Force on Social Housing, which will come before the Housing and Economic Development Committee in early 2025, can help us achieve a balanced, equitable, and sustainable city.

Rejecting False Choices

The media loves to frame these debates as “regulation versus growth” or “affordability versus progress.” But these false choices oversimplify a complex issue. The GND isn’t about choosing between housing or sustainability, between development or fairness—it’s about creating a system that balances these priorities.

Policies like inclusionary zoning, ReCode’s upzoning for density, and social housing aren’t competing solutions; they’re complementary tools in addressing Portland’s housing needs. By embracing nuance and rejecting black-and-white narratives, we can develop solutions that reflect the complexity of the challenges we face.

Defending Portland’s Vision

Make no mistake: a fight is coming. The champions of corporate greed are eyeing 2025 as the year to dismantle the Green New Deal. But they’ll have to contend with me—and with everyone who believes in a Portland that works for all of us. Now is not the time to turn back or abandon a framework that has already made real progress. Together, we’ve laid the foundation for a sustainable and equitable city. It’s up to all of us to protect that vision and keep building toward it.

ksykes@portlandmaine.gov 207-558-5764

Notice: Under Maine law, documents – including e-mails and text messages – in the possession of public officials or city employees about government business may be classified as public records. There are very few exceptions. As a result, please be advised that what is written in a text message or e-mail could be released to the public and/or the media if requested.

Welcome to the District Five Insider, a newsletter about the big decisions making their way through the City Council, what they mean for District Five, and how you can get involved. Enter your email and click subscribe to receive this newsletter in your mailbox.

Friday November 8, 2024

Building Community Power: Small Steps Toward a Stronger, United Portland

As we step into a new chapter after the 2024 election, Portland has an incredible opportunity to lead the way with a municipal green labor movement. With new labor allies Wes Pelletier and Ben Grant on the City Council, and with steadfast Portland representatives like Grayson Lookner elected to the state legislature, we’re uniquely positioned to make big gains for working people, to shape a future in Portland that values both workers and the environment.

The timing is crucial. With new zoning regulations adopted through ReCode this week, Portland is on the brink of a building boom that will bring a surge of jobs and an infusion of workers into our economy. Our strong environmental and regulatory standards mean that what we build in Portland will be sustainable, setting a precedent for what a green economy can look like. This is more than just growth; it’s an investment in a future where we prioritize both economic stability and environmental responsibility.

While national party politics distract with culture wars, leaving working people feeling desperate and hollow when promises aren’t kept, the labor movement remains rooted in solidarity and progress. We’re not interested in fighting symbolic battles. We’re here to organize around real, tangible improvements for Portland workers—better wages, safer work environments, and a sustainable more livable urban landscape.

Even against national headwinds, our unions have proven that standing together matters. Union-backed candidates and tireless organizers helped advance the pro-labor majority in the Maine Legislature. This shows that collective action brings real change and that Portland is primed to lead. Every workplace we organize, every fair contract we secure, and every sustainable building we construct strengthens our community.

Let’s harness this momentum by setting aside the divisions of identity politics and focusing on what truly unites us. Let’s listen to the real needs of our neighbors, and do the work to foster a community where everyone feels valued.

Start small: attend the District 5 neighborhood meeting on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 6:00 PM at Casco Bay High School. Child care will be provided to make sure everyone can participate. Bring your ideas, strike up conversations with neighbors, and listen to their concerns without judgment. Take part in local events that celebrate Portland’s progress, like the Pumpkin-Cycle at Payson Park tomorrow, Sat. 11/9 from 10AM-1PM. Bring your slumpin’ pumpkins to compost them! Last year you helped us divert 3,000 lbs of pumpkin waste from the landfill. This year we’ll have a smashing pumpkins section, and the Eighty-8 Donut truck will be there to sweeten the deal.

Every step we take in building a sustainable, fair economy brings us closer to a Portland where we all have a stake in the future. By focusing on what unites us, we can build a Portland where everyone feels heard and valued.

ksykes@portlandmaine.gov 207-558-5764

Notice: Under Maine law, documents – including e-mails and text messages – in the possession of public officials or city employees about government business may be classified as public records. There are very few exceptions. As a result, please be advised that what is written in a text message or e-mail could be released to the public and/or the media if requested.

Welcome to the District Five Insider, a newsletter about the big decisions making their way through the City Council, what they mean for District Five, and how you can get involved. Follow to subscribe, and receive this newsletter in your mailbox.

Friday, October 11, 2024

Question B: Council Initiated changes to Portland’s Short-Term Rental Registration Requirements

Voting has begun in Portland, and many people are asking me about Question B on the municipal ballot.

This amendment to our Short Term Rental (STR) ordinance was passed by the Council but must be ratified by voters. It complements a number of other changes to our STR regulations passed by the Council in August. .

What are the changes?

1. Tightens registration requirements for owner-occupied STRs by requiring proof that the unit is the host’s primary residence. Hosts must supply the city with a) proof that they qualify for Maine’s “Homestead Exemption” at the unit, or b) Federal Tax Return (with financial information redacted) showing primary residence at the unit.

Why does this matter? Portland strictly limits the number of non-owner occupied STR licenses we issue, but we do not limit owner-occupied licenses. Stronger registration requirements will decrease the number of STRs being falsely registered as “owner-occupied” to get around the limit.

2. Adds registration requirements for Peaks Island short-term rentals, and requires the City to verify whether a unit is seasonal or year-round.

Why does this matter? The Council has established a new cap on the lumber of Peaks Island short-term rentals licenses we issue. The cap does not apply to seasonal properties. Question B requires the City to verify if Peaks Island STRs are year-round or seasonal when registering them, so we know if they’re subject to the cap or not.

3. Requires hosts of STRs in condominiums to provide proof that use of the unit as a short-term rental is allowed under the condo association’s governing documents.

Why does this matter? Current documentation requirements are too weak to enforce this proactively.

You can review the full text of the changes here.

ksykes@portlandmaine.gov 207-558-5764

Notice: Under Maine law, documents – including e-mails and text messages – in the possession of public officials or city employees about government business may be classified as public records. There are very few exceptions. As a result, please be advised that what is written in a text message or e-mail could be released to the public and/or the media if requested.