📰BIDDEFORD | APPEAL DENIED | UNE PIER APPEAL

Have you ever had someone come up to you and question you about something, and rather than answer the question, you think, “who are you to even be asking me this?”... 

Well, in the most anecdotal fashion, that’s exactly what happened at tonight’s UNE Pier appeal hearing; according to the Zoning Board of Appeals and city procedure, the individuals who filed the appeal, can not legally be recognized (qualified) as appellants, therefore, the appeal was denied.

November 13, 2025, This evening, the City of Biddeford’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) held a long anticipated hearing to rule on a citizens appeal regarding the University of New England Pier approval process.

Members of the Zoning Board of Appeal listen to appellants speak

The meeting was held in the City Council Chambers at Biddeford City Hall, located at 205 Main Street at 6:00 PM, and was attended by the appellants, UNE representatives, City staff and other interested residents. Notably in the audience was Mayor-Elect Liam LaFountain.

What could have been an evening that ran long and passionate, instead, played out rather quickly with the appeal being denied by a unanimous vote of 3 to 0 early in the hearing.

Over the past several months, opponents of the pier approval have made numerous claims of bad actors and alleged illegal actions that allowed the University of New England to unlawfully obtain approval to build a pier in a specific place. 

In the simplest of terms, the opponents of the pier approval process, have repeatedly voiced that UNE and or other bad actors, did not follow the technical (legal) process to gain the pier approval.

Resident Matt Haas speaks to the Zoning Board of Appeals

After months of expressing their disdain for UNE allegedly not following a process lawfully to gain approval, the appellants had the chance to present their case to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

However, in a stunning turn of events, the appeal was not able to be formally recognized or accepted due to the filers themselves, not properly following the legal process put forth by the City when filing an appeal.

Have you ever had someone come up to you and question you about something, and rather than answer the question, you think, “who are you to even be asking me this?”... Well, in the most anecdotal fashion, that’s exactly what happened; according to the Zoning Board of Appeals and city procedure, the individuals who filed the appeal, can not legally be recognized (qualified) as appellants, therefore, the appeal was denied."

WATCH THE FULL HEARING HERE: https://biddefordme.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3141/media

Whether right or wrong, good or bad, UNE won this and it appeared to be an underhanded pitch, making for an easy home-run for the University.

Ron Schneider, General Counsel and Vice President of Legal Affairs, UNE

Following the ruling, a spokesperson for UNE stated, "We respect the Zoning Board of Appeals' decision to follow the requirements in the City Charter. These rules exist to ensure fairness and clarity in the appeals process. UNE looks forward to moving ahead with this important research facility that will benefit Maine's marine environment, economy, and students for generations to come. We remain committed to being good neighbors and responsible community partners.”

It is unclear at this time what opponents of the pier will seek as their next steps.