SOUTH PORTLAND (AP) — The South Portland City Council has postponed action on an ordinance that would prohibit loading tar sands crude oil in bulk onto marine tank vessels in the city because of the huge public turnout.

The council was scheduled to vote on the proposal Monday but City Hall couldn’t accommodate all the people who came to the meeting, some who support the measure and many who oppose it.

Mayor Gerry Jalbert asked nonresidents to give up their seats to residents and offered an opportunity to watch the meeting on television in a nearby conference room. But that did little to alleviate the standing-room-only turnout and Jalbert said the large turnout was a safety issue.

The proposal will be taken up Wednesday at a location to be determined.