The Portland Planning Board is reviewing a request to change the zoning on the western waterfront to allow the existing height limit of 45 feet raised to 70 feet.

The city of Portland is seeking this change to accommodate the proposed construction of a cold- and dry-storage facility for Americold Logistics. Also, the Icelandic steamship line Eimskip plans to lease a portion of the building to serve as its North American headquarters.

The proposed building would be similar in height to the Pierce Atwood building (which is 70 feet tall), and the Marriott Courtyard on Commercial Street (which is 65 feet tall).

The Portland waterfront has three distinct zones:

• The eastern zone at Ocean Gateway is designed to accommodate passenger ship traffic.

• The central zone hosts vessels for small commercial fishermen and water-dependent businesses.

• The western zone, which runs from the International Marine Terminal to the Veterans Bridge, is the last remaining industrial area in Portland Harbor that has deep-water ship access.

This western zone has always been industrial. How many readers remember the coal gasification plant near the old Million Dollar Bridge or the china clay dock on the Fore River in the railyard? It is important that the city allow our zoning laws to accommodate modern business needs.

When the Planning Board allows this change, the Americold building will benefit not only Portland but also the state and our entire region. A functional storage building with office windows and a good architectural outline can also become an attractive gateway to our city for anyone coming downtown on West Commercial Street.

Jerry Angier

member, Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce

Cape Elizabeth

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