The comprehensive plan is a long-range planning document that identifies the goals and desires of the community over the next 10-20 years. It articulates and commits to a clear vision for the town and provides a blueprint for land use and community development by creating goals, policies, and strategies to guide decisions on public investment and capital improvements, ensuring they reflect the community’s values and priorities.

In Maine, a comprehensive plan is not mandatory for a municipality. However, choosing not to create or update a comprehensive plan results in specific limitations and potential drawbacks related to land use control and access to state funding. 

• Vulnerability of Land Use Ordinances: Without a state-accepted, consistent comprehensive plan, a municipality's land use ordinances (beyond the state minimum for shoreland zoning) can be legally challenged in court. 

• Limited Regulatory Power: A town cannot legally enact certain advanced land use controls, such as: 

  • Zoning ordinances that go beyond the state minimum for shoreland zoning.

  • Impact fee ordinances.

  • Rate of growth or building cap ordinances. 

• Reduced Access to State Grants and Loans: Many state grant and loan programs either require or give priority/incentives (e.g., priority points) to communities with a current, state-approved comprehensive plan. Municipalities may miss out on significant funding opportunities for major projects, such as capital investments, infrastructure projects, and conservation efforts. 

• Less Local Control: Municipalities with state-consistent plans generally have more control over how state agencies undertake projects within their town's boundaries. 

• Piecemeal Decision Making: The absence of a long-term, community-wide vision can lead to "piecemeal" decision-making on land use and development issues, potentially resulting in inefficient growth and unforeseen problems.

Essentially, while not legally required, a comprehensive plan is a foundational document that provides the legal justification for local land use management and opens doors to various state resources and funding opportunities.

The comprehensive plan is written for the community by the community. It analyzes past, present, and projected data trends to inform recommendations created through a broad range of public participation, which can help build consensus and support for future land use decisions.

At its heart, the comprehensive plan brings citizens with varying opinions together to find solutions for the future. While towns are not required to adopt a comprehensive plan, the comprehensive plan provides a legal basis for writing and enacting land use ordinances through defining areas appropriate for growth in development while also protecting the town’s rural areas and natural resources. Without a legal basis, land use ordinances can be challenged in court.

ONLY towns that adopt a consistent comprehensive plan can:

1. Enact legitimate local zoning standards, ASIDE from shoreland floodplain ordinances, and require State agencies to comply with these local zoning standards in accordance with Title 30-A M.R.S.A. §4352.2 & §4352.6.

2. Enact an Impact Fee or Rate of Growth ordinance for development in accordance with Title 30-A M.R.S.A. §4314.3.

3. Qualify for Site Location of Development Act exemptions for certain growth-area developments in accordance with Title 38 M.R.S.A. §488.14 & §488.19 and qualify for authority to issue Site Location of Development Act permits in accordance with Title 38 M.R.S.A. §489-A.

4. Qualify for authority to issue Natural Resource Protection Act (NRPA) permits in accordance with Title 38 M.R.S.A. §480-F.

5. Qualify for relaxed MDOT traffic permit standards for certain growth-related developments in accordance with Title 23 M.R.S.A. §704.A.2.D.

The comprehensive plan must go before the town at a Public Hearing for comment, and a Town Meeting for a vote on its adoption. Implementation of the recommendations within the comprehensive plan will require further action and review by town residents. All ordinance provisions must align with the goals and policies outlined in the plan regarding land use, environmental protection, and community growth to ensure that new development is consistent with the overall vision for the community, as defined in the comprehensive plan. The implementation strategies that are formed within the comprehensive plan must designate a timeframe and responsible party for each action, providing the framework for implementation.

Come to our meetings and have your voice heard!

The Comprehensive Planning Committee meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6pm in the Town Office conference room.