Board: Lewiston City Council

Met: Tuesday night

Cell towers

Issue: Signals broadcast by cell phone towers can interfere with emergency radio broadcasts to police, fire and emergency vehicles.

The scoop: Proposed city ordinances would let the Planning Board review all new cell phone towers and communication facilities to make sure they don’t interfere with emergency signals. The Planning Board can also regulate the way towers look, making sure they don’t stand out too much.

Up next: Councilors tabled the motion, asking staff to broaden it to let the city deal with existing nuisance antennas and create design and screening rules.

Political signs

Issue: Zoning codes don’t allow political signs to be placed on public lands or in the rights of way. Maine Municipal Association legal interpretations say that could interfere with the right to free speech.

The scoop: A new zoning ordinance would allow political signs along street rights of way. They still wouldn’t be allowed in front of city buildings or schools and can only be up six weeks before an election and one week after. City staff can remove signs if they become a safety hazard.

Up next: Councilors approved it 7-0. They vote on it again at their next meeting.

Big retail

Issue: Legislators in 2007 approved the Informed Growth Act, which restricts retail development projects larger than 75,000 square feet. It requires developers to pay for an economic study showing what changes that kind of big-box development will have on the surrounding community. It also requires those developers be named. Developers feel it’s anti-development, and city officials say it takes away their home-rule authority.

The scoop: Cities and towns can opt out of the state’s requirements if they adopt economic reviews of their own as part of their own review process.

Up next: Councilors narrowly approved the plan 4-3, with Councilor Thomas Peters abstaining and Mayor Larry Gilbert casting the deciding yes vote. The city will create its own economic review process for new big retail developments. It also lets developers remain unnamed until they choose to reveal themselves. They’ll vote on it a final time at their next meeting.

Blue ribbons

Issue: Volunteers from Children’s Advocates will begin tying blue ribbons on trees along Main Street in honor of Child Abuse Prevention month. The ribbons will be removed in May.

The scoop: Ordinances require council approval for such things, and volunteers said the ribbons will be tied to trees – not nailed to them.

Liquor licenses

Issue: Local restaurants and bars must reapply for liquor licenses and amusement permits each year. Liquor licenses let them serve alcohol; amusement permits let them play music, have a DJ or karaoke, or have games on site.

The scoop: Councilors approved a liquor license for the Heartland Restaurant, 20 East Ave.

They approved a special amusement permits for Warden’s Bar and Grill, 703 Sabattus St., and Little Joe’s Bar and Grill, 740 Sabattus St.

Contact government reporter Scott Taylor via phone at 689-2846 or via E-mail at [email protected]