Portland neighbors sue to halt or scale back Riverton housing project

Dispute over 50-unit Belfort Landing development highlights tensions between neighborhood resistance and city's housing goals

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A group of Portland residents, organized as Friends of Belfort, have filed a lawsuit to halt or scale back a 50-unit housing development called Belfort Landing in the city's Riverton neighborhood. The neighbors argue the project will be disruptive and out of place, while city officials say it aligns with zoning rules and state mandates to allow more housing density.

Why it matters

The legal challenge to the Belfort Landing project highlights an ongoing tension in Portland and across Maine between local resistance to new multi-family housing in single-family neighborhoods and broader goals to increase housing supply and affordability. The dispute also underscores the challenges cities face in balancing neighborhood concerns with state-level policies aimed at boosting housing production.

The details

The Belfort Landing development was approved by Portland's Planning Board in July 2025, but a group of neighbors have filed an appeal and several civil claims against the city and developer Acre Properties. The neighbors argue the 50-unit project, with two buildings on a narrow strip of land, will be too disruptive and out of place for the area. The developer says the project meets zoning rules and addresses the need for more housing, including 13 'workforce' units for renters at 80% of the area median income.

  • The Planning Board approved the Belfort Landing project in July 2025.
  • The neighbors filed an appeal and civil claims against the city and developer after the approval.

The players

Friends of Belfort

A group of Portland residents organized to oppose the Belfort Landing housing development.

Acre Properties

The developer behind the proposed 50-unit Belfort Landing project.

Leroy Doucette

A Portland resident who lives near the proposed Belfort Landing development and is concerned about the impact of the access road on his property.

Kate Sykes

A Portland city councilor who represents the Riverton neighborhood where the Belfort Landing project is proposed.

Alex Coupe

The project developer for Belfort Landing.

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What they’re saying

“It seems a bit excessive. It's kind of a maximalist approach to a problem that maybe doesn't require a maximalist response.”

— Leroy Doucette, Portland resident

“The project addresses the need for housing, it offers workforce units, it's in a suitable location for transportation and it meets the zoning to a tee.”

— Alex Coupe, Project developer

“These are decisions that were made through a public, democratic process, by the state legislature and a council that was elected to represent the city as a whole. I think it's important to honor that process, even when it leads to hard conversations in specific neighborhoods.”

— Kate Sykes, Portland city councilor

“We love the idea of putting some homes back there, but to destroy the community in the process doesn't make sense.”

— Liz Berg, Belfort Street resident

What’s next

The Friends of Belfort group is waiting for a court ruling on their request for a preliminary injunction to pause the Belfort Landing project until their lawsuit is decided.

The takeaway

The dispute over the Belfort Landing development highlights the ongoing tensions in Portland and across Maine between neighborhood resistance to new multi-family housing and the broader push to increase housing supply and affordability. As cities like Portland update zoning rules to encourage more density, they will likely continue to face legal challenges from residents concerned about the impacts on their communities.