The Town Council held a Special Meeting on Monday, March 24, 2025.  The following is a review of the agenda items.  Councilor Caitlin Harriman attended the meeting remotely, but was not present for all votes due to technical issues.

1. Item #45-2025 Motion to Enter into Executive Session to Consult with the Town Attorney Relating to Chapter 19 Town Center Zoning Amendments; Vote 6-0.

The Town Council voted to enter into executive session pursuant to 1 M.R.S. §405 6. E. to consult with the Town Attorney relating to Town Center Amendments in relation to the pending referendum called by the Citizen Petition to Send Town Center Amendments to Referendum.

The Town received an email on March 10, 2025 from James E. Belleau, Esq. regarding a Citizen Petition and Proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendments Related to HardyPond Development Company's Proposal in Town Center District.  On March 10, the Town Council tabled item #43-2025 relating to amendment to Chapter 19 Town Center Zoning Amendments proposed by HardyPond Development pending review with the Town Attorney.

2.  Motion to Exit Executive Session and Return to the Special Meeting Agenda: Vote 7-0

Councilors voted to exit from executive session, with no report or action coming out of the executive session.

3.  Public Hearing - Citizen Petition to Send Town Center Amendments to Referendum

No public comments were received during the public hearing and no action/votes were taken by the council regarding the Citizen Petition to Send Town Center Amendments to Referendum.  At a special meeting scheduled for Monday, April 7, the Town Council must consider (per Charter) designating the date for the referendum vote.

On February 24, 2025, a Citizen Petition entitled CAPE ELIZABETH CITIZEN PETITION TO SEND TOWN CENTER ZONING AMENDMENTS TO REFERENDUM was filed with the Town Clerk following a vote (5-2) of the Town Council on February 10, 2025 to approve amendments to Chapter 19 Zoning Ordinance to Town Center Amendments. A sufficient number of signatures were verified by the Town Clerk on February 27, to meet the requirement of the Charter to send to a referendum vote. A public hearing must be held within 30 days from the date of the filing of the petition. On March 10, the Town Council scheduled a public hearing for Monday, March 24.  Within 14 days after the public hearing, the council must designate the date of the vote.

4.  Public Hearing - School Board Recommendation for School Construction Referendum

The council received public comments both in person and via Zoom for approximately 90 minutes regarding the School Board recommendation for a School Construction Referendum.  No action/votes were taken by the council.  The council will consider designating the date for a referendum vote at a special meeting scheduled for Monday, April 7.  At the same meeting, the warrant for the June 10 election will be approved.  

The Cape Elizabeth School Board, on February 24, 2025, voted in support of: “Consideration of the resolution regarding the School Board recommendation to the Town Council for an $86,499,993 new construction and renovation referendum question and the $1,725,000 solar array referendum question”. School Department representatives presented an overview of the recommendation to the Town Council on March 10. On that same evening, the council scheduled a public hearing for Monday, March 24.

5. Motion to Adjourn; Vote 6-0

Agenda, Meeting Materials & Video Recording