PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Some Portland residents want to stop non-marine development along the working waterfront.

The Portland Press Herald reports that they filed initial paperwork on Friday to force a citywide vote on the topic.

The initiative would change the land-use rules for three parts of the waterfront, from Eastern Promenade to Veterans Memorial Bridge.

It would restrict development that does not need water access.

Resident Orlando Delogu said he is part of a “coalition of working waterfront people” drafting a proposal. He says offices, restaurants, hotels and condominiums on the waterfront are a “death knell for the fishing people” and others who need water access.

Developers and waterfront property owners say they need other uses of the waterfront to fund maintenance of the aging piers.
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Information from: Portland Press Herald, http://www.pressherald.com