KENNEBUNKPORT – Kennebunkport has four questions on its town ballot this year. Below is the wording you’ll see regarding these proposed ordinance changes, and background information on the purpose behind the changes.
And, for more information on how and where to vote in the Kennebunks and Arundel, click here.
- Here’s how Question 1 reads on the Kennebunkport ballot:
Question 1: Amendment to Kennebunkport Land Use Ordinance Regarding Conditional Use Review
Shall an ordinance entitled “Amendment to Land Use Ordinance Regarding Conditional Use Review” be enacted? (A true copy of which is on file in the Town Clerk’s Office and is incorporated by reference.)
[Town Note of Explanation: This amendment removes Conditional Uses subject to the Zoning Board of Appeals review to instead be under review by the Planning Board or Code Enforcement Officer. It reforms the Zoning Board of Appeals voting requirements for majority of quorum present at a meeting.]
Selectmen recommend adoption of this article – Voted 5-0
Background: A conditional use is a land use that is not automatically allowed under a property’s current zoning – but may be permitted if it meets specific rules and gets approval from the town. Essentially, it is asking for approval to change how the land may be used.
A yes vote on this question moves approval of these exceptions from the Zoning Board of Appeals to either the Planning Board (which involves a multi-person board made up of volunteer residents and includes a public hearing) or the Code Enforcement Officer (a single staff individual, no public hearing). This is a change in the process of who handles what.
A yes vote also confirms the language regarding the number of people required at a Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting in order to make a decision (vote).
This ordinance change was requested by the Zoning Board of Appeals as they believe that the Planning Board is better able to handle these kinds of situations.
2. Here’s how Question 2 reads on the Kennebunkport ballot:
Question 2: Amendment to Kennebunkport Land Use Ordinance Regarding Home Occupations
Shall an ordinance entitled “Amendment to Land Use Ordinance Regarding Home Occupations” be enacted? (A true copy of which is on file in the Town Clerk’s Office and is incorporated by reference.)
[Town Note of Explanation: The proposed amendment splits Home Occupations to Home Occupation Type A (non-traffic generation use to residence) reviewed by the Code Enforcement Officer and Type B (traffic generation use to residence) reviewed by the Planning Board.]
Selectmen recommend adoption of this article – Voted 5-0.
Background: Question 2 changes the definition of home occupations, splitting them into Type A, occupations that do not generate traffic, for example a graphic designer, and Type B, occupations that generate traffic, for example a daycare, which would have more potential to affect neighbors. A Type A application would be reviewed by the Code Enforcement Officer, and a Type B application would be reviewed by the Planning Board, which as noted above, includes a board decision after a public hearing.
3. Here’s how Question 3 reads on the ballot:
Question 3: Amendment to the Special Events an Mass Gatherings Ordinance
Shall an ordinance entitled “Amendment to the Special Events and Mass Gatherings Ordinance” be enacted? (A true copy of which is on file in the Town Clerk’s Office and is incorporated by reference.)
[Note of Explanation: This amendment allows the Town to support municipal services for Fourth of July, Memorial Day and a portion of winter prelude. It also clarifies municipal service cost recovery for mass gathering events.]
Selectmen recommend adoption of this article – Voted 5-0.
Background: Voting yes to this question allows the town to legally provide funding for the events specified above. In practice, the town has already been doing so; voting yes clarifies the wording in the ordinance so the town can continue to do so. A yes vote clears the way going forward for the town to provide taxpayer funding for municipal services to support these events. A no vote means the town cannot provide funding to support these events.
Here’s is how Question 4 reads on the ballot:
Question 4: Funding for Winter Prelude 2026
Shall the Town appropriate $17,500 from undesignated funds to be used to fund municipal services related to one Dock Square tree lighting, one Cape Porpoise tree lighting, and one parade during winter prelude?
[Note of Explanation: Question 4 asks voters to appropriate $17,500 from undesignated funds to cover approximately 50% of the anticipated municipal cost with winter prelude.
This includes one Dock Square tree lighting, one Cape Porpoise tree lighting, and one parade during winter prelude 2026. The event organizer would be responsible for the remaining municipal service costs. A “Yes” vote authorizes the $17,500 appropriation. A “No” vote does not authorize the appropriation.]
Selectmen recommend adoption of this article – Voted 5-0. Budget Board recommendation – Voted 6-1
Background: A yes vote stipulates that the town will fund a total of $17,500 in town support services for this year’s (2026) Winter Prelude. Historically the town has funded approximately twice this amount. A no vote means the town will continue to provide these services in 2026 for Prelude, but the Kennebunkport Business Association will be required to reimburse the town for the full amount of services provided.
