After years of wrangling at City Hall, South Portland voters will decide whether to ban dogs at Willard Beach.

The South Portland City Council voted 6-0 to send a citizen initiative for limiting dogs at Willard Beach to a citywide ballot on Nov. 3.

The proposed ordinance change would prohibit dogs on Willard Beach for six months each year – between April 15 and Oct. 15 – and require dogs to be “on leash under owner’s control during park hours” between Oct. 16 and April 14.

The referendum drive was organized by City Council candidate Gary Crosby, who sat quietly in the audience, watching the Council vote.

“This has gone on for so long, that all of the people involved in this feel it would be best for the citizens to decide this,” said Crosby during the public comment period prior to the vote.

He also stated that only a few waterfront homeowners signed his petition to bring the ordinance change before the Council and to a citywide vote.

Crosby said he sees support for the change from residents throughout South Portland, although there is a perception that beachfront homeowners are pushing for the ban.

Sitting next to Crosby was Dan LaBrie, his chief supporter and a waterfront homeowner who has helped to lead opposition to allowing dogs to run on the beach year round.

No one from the South Portland Dog Owners Group, which opposes the change, spoke during the public comment period prior to the vote.

The group has argued that the six-month ban would cause stress at other open spaces in the city, as pet owners seek out other places to walk their dogs.

Dan Mooers, an attorney, was the only other resident to speak about the proposed partial ban of dogs at Willard Beach. He said he was not taking a position for or against the ban. But he supported the idea of a decision made at the ballot box.

“I appreciate the fact that Gary has brought this forward,” said Mooers. “I do not agree with Gary on very many issues, but he has done the right thing here.”

Mooers said he believes it is time for the divisiveness and “ill will” to end over whether dog walkers should be allowed year-round access to the popular shorefront.

Under current rules, dog walkers can bring their pets to the beach all year and walk them off leash, though they are restricted to early morning and evening during the summer months.

By voting 6-0 to send the issue to voters, the Council chose not to adopt the ordinance itself. Under city rule, members could pass the ordinance or place it on the ballot.

Councilors who voted to place the referendum on the ballot were Jim Hughes, Maxine Beecher, Tom Coward, Jim Soule, Linda Boudreau and Mayor Tom Blake. Councilor Patti Smith was absent for the vote.

Crosby and Save Willard Beach, the advocacy group he formed, collected roughly 1,000 signatures to bring the issue to a citywide vote.

“I couldn’t be happier that this is on the agenda,” said Councilor Linda Boudreau, who had suggested months ago that residents should decide.

“I think this is our one time to get a decisive and final decision on this,” she said.

“This is a fine example of the rights we have in America and what makes us great,” agreed Blake.