YORK - When voters head to the polls on May 17, they will vote on every proposed ordinance and budget article except the rezone of York Beach.

That was the Board of Selectmen's decision after two public hearings on March 24 and 31 based on the consensus that the plan is not ready for a public vote.

Ultimately the selectmen voted 4 to 1 not to put the York Beach Zoning Ordinance on the ballot with Chairman Mike Estes cast the only positive vote.

Prior to taking that vote, the board heard from members of the York Beach Renaissance Committee as well as the general public about the proposal.

Torbert Macdonald, Jr., was one resident who said he supports the revitalization idea, but that the plan but that it is not ready, pointing to such issues as a lack of design standards.

He referred to potential York's Wild Kingdom developer Oscar Plotkin, saying, "The 800-pound gorilla is out there lurking and has 200 acres under option... Everything from The Goldenrod to Route 1 could be under the control of one person, not from this town ... with no design standards."

Members of the York Beach Renaissance Committee disagreed, stressing the plan would not benefit any one particular developer or landowner, but the Beach area and the town as whole.

Ultimately, however, the majority of the selectmen said that while they support the Beach, the proposal is not ready for a vote.

Vice Chairman David Marshall and Selectman Dwight Bardwell applauded the work of the Renaissance Committee, but said they could not support the plan as presented.

Selectman Ted Little echoed their concerns, stating the unknown impacts are too great.

"What would 40-foot buildings entail? What would 100-percent lot coverage entail?" he questioned.

He, too, praised the residents on the committee for their work.

"The town owes the York Beach area a definite commitment to move forward" as part of the five-year capital improvement plan, he said, adding, "I think we need to proceed with vigor as far as getting this done at York Beach."

Selectwoman Kinley Gregg voiced concerns about Plotkin as well as drainage and sidewalk issues in the beach.

Estes, however, said the plan should move forward.

"York Beach is not what it used to be. It is not the family destination that we had. It is falling into disrepair in a lot of areas," he said, adding, "We can push it forward. This is a very small piece of what the Renaissance Committee did that can move forward and keep this process going."

One week earlier, at the board's March 24 meeting, a public hearing on the proposed ordinance amendment lasted for approximately two hours.

Among those who spoke was Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cathy Goodwin, who told the board the Renaissance Committee was "very disappointed and very dismayed" at the prior decision to remove a substantial amount of the proposed York Beach zoning under consideration for the May ballot.

She said the committee has been "trying to make York Beach the best that it can be" and that such requests as an addition five feet in building height limits have been included in the hope of a return to York Beach's Victorian-era heyday.

Residents from across town voiced opinions on both sides of the issue. Many of those in favor of the proposal said that while it might not be a perfect plan, it should move forward to the voters. Others said the plan is not ready and the town should wait until November.

Although the York Beach rezone is on hold, the selectmen voted unanimously in favor of the other zoning requests for the ballot, which include creating a demolition delay provision for historic buildings, designating the Town Farm property as historic, adopting LEED certification for municipal buildings and establishing a Residential Growth Ordinance lottery for long-time property owners in town.

On the budget side of the town warrant, the board gave unanimous preference votes in favor of all requests except for Article 69, the five-year capital plan, which had four selectmen in favor of it and Gregg abstaining due to concerns about transparency in the process.

Among the budget items the board spoke about were the Town Hall project, York High School music instructional space addition and the request from the York Land Trust for the town to assist in the purchase of Highland Farm.

The selectmen spoke of the benefit of preserving Highland Farm from development and said the time has come for both a new municipal complex and classroom space to support the music programs at York High School.

Estes noted the Board of Selectmen will hold a public hearing on the Town Hall at its next meeting, scheduled for April 14, and all are welcome to attend and express their views on the $6.475 million proposal. Selectmen's meetings begin at 7 p.m. at the York Public Library.