Land Bank Commission

Meetings


The Land Bank Commission meets the second Wednesday of the month.
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
389 Congress Street, Council Chambers
Portland, Maine 04101

Agendas & Minutes


Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.
View All Agendas and Minutes

Commission Members

  • Pat Bailey, Chair,  At Large
  • Simon Rucker, Secretary, District 1
  • William Mann, District 5
  • Steve Morgenstein, V. Chair, At Large
  • Kara Wooldrik, At Large
  • Andrew Butcher, Treasurer, District 2
  • Councilor Justin Costa
  • Jon Kachmar, At Large
  • Patrick Rombalski, At Large

Staff Members

  • Ethan Hipple, Deputy Director of Parks, Recreation & Facilities
  • Doug Roncarati, Storm Water Program Coordinator, Public Works
  • Michael Goldman, Associate Corporate Counsel
  • Alli Carroll, Senior Administrative Officer

About the Commission


The Land Bank Commission is responsible for identifying and protecting open space resources within the City of Portland. The commission seeks to preserve a balance between development and conservation of open space important for wildlife, ecological, environmental, scenic, or outdoor recreational values.

The commission responsibilities include:
  • Working for the acquisition and conservation of open space within the city
  • Recommending to the City Council on a priority basis acquisition or conservation of significant properties
  • Pursuit of gifts and funds from private and public sources for the acquisition of open space as approved by the City Council
The commission has developed an inventory of open space resources within the city. It is engaged in an ongoing effort to proactively protect properties from development through easement, deed restriction, or acquisition.

The Land Bank Commission Engagement Fund

Starting in the Winter of 2019, The Portland Land Bank Commission (LBC) launched the Community Engagement Fund (CEF) to increase awareness of Landbank activities and resources; enhance capacity for education and stewardship among partners to assist with stewardship; and initiate strategic engagement with neighborhood partners in furtherance of strategic Landbank goals and objectives.

Goals of the Program are to: 

  1. Maximize relevance for Land Bank Strategic Objectives
  2. Increase community equity and benefit from Public investments in green space
  3. Elevate public awareness around open space preservation and ecosystem benefits

The CEF shall serve as a flexible pool of funds awarded by the LBC to be awarded in increments of $250 - $2500 to increase awareness of LBC activities, enhance community capacity for education and stewardship and advance LBC objectives for land preservation. 

Eligible Use of Funds: 

  1. To conduct stewardship, maintenance and upkeep of Land Bank properties
  2. To facilitate environmental awareness and public engagement advancing Land Bank goals

Eligible Organizations: Non-profit organizations, Community Associations, Block Groups, Schools, and the City of Portland Departments, Agencies and Authorities that are working to advance Land Bank goals and objectives. *Applicants must be able to describe/demonstrate community involvement.  

Eligible Locations: 

  • Land Bank assets or target acquisitions
  • Proximity to under-served communities (low access to green space as mapped by the 2016 Trust For Public Land Green Print) 
  • Areas of significance for stormwater and climate change mitigation

Timeframe:  Starting in the winter of 2019 grants will be offered quarterly. The program will be renewed annually depending upon budgetary allocation.  Grant funds must be used within one year of the award or the agreement. 

APPLICATION AND APPROVAL PROCESS

Applications are to be submitted via the online form.  

Paper applications available for pick up at the City of Portland Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department at 212 Canco Road, Ste A, Portland, Maine 04103. Grant applications are due at 3:00 PM on the last weekday of each month. All applications will be evaluated by The LBC Outreach Committee monthly with funding decisions made by the full Land Bank Commission in July, September, February, and May.  Please check with the City’s Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department with inquiries.  Reimbursements will be processed by the Portland Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department.

All questions, inquiries and supported documentation should be emailed to the Land Bank Commission at landbank@portlandmaine.gov

Land Bank Engagement Fund Documents

  1. LBC Community Engagement Fund Application
  2. LBC Frequently Asked Questions