Downtown floor area ratio removal
Summary
The 4.0 floor-area-ratio limit downtown is outdated and blocks infill projects — including one developer's plan to add stories to an existing building. Councilors debated whether a height limit should replace it; Chair Carson wants more data plus input from the Fire Department and the airport before deciding.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 5
- Last 30 days
- 5
Rising — discussed at 5 meetings since Oct 5, 2026, up from 0 in the two months before.
Impact analysis
No direct cost to the city; the change could unlock private investment and more downtown housing.
Downtown property owners and developers — and future residents of new downtown housing.
Some downtown residents worry taller buildings could block sunlight in parts of downtown.
Mentions & discussions (5)
City Council (Regular) - Oct 26, 2026
Removing the FAR cap downtown lets developers build bigger buildings and encourages infill housing — aligned with the comprehensive plan's goal of downtown growth.
Planning Board (Regular) - Oct 20, 2026
Bangor's downtown has an old rule capping how much floor area buildings can have relative to lot size. It's blocking infill housing and commercial development, and the board is recommending the council scrap it. Historic and façade districts already protect downtown character.
City Council (Regular) - Oct 14, 2026
A proposed change to downtown zoning would remove floor-area-ratio limits, potentially enabling larger downtown development. Next stop is the Planning Board.
Planning Board (Regular) - Oct 6, 2026
Bangor wants to scrap an old rule that caps how much floor space downtown buildings can have, partly to make room for new development and housing. Board members liked the idea but want height limits and design standards considered in the bigger code rewrite.
Business & Economic Development Committee (Regular) - Oct 5, 2026
The 4.0 floor-area-ratio limit downtown is outdated and blocks infill projects — including one developer's plan to add stories to an existing building. Councilors debated whether a height limit should replace it; Chair Carson wants more data plus input from the Fire Department and the airport before deciding.
Related development
Removal of FAR from Downtown Development District
This clears the way for more downtown housing and infill development — height is handled by other review processes, and most downtown changes also go through the Historic Preservation Commission.
Ordinance 26-293 — Removal of Floor Area Ratio, Downtown Development District
Removes a height/bulk limit that blocked some downtown development; older landmark buildings already exceeded it.
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