Shoreland Zone Ordinance Changes
Although we made changes to our shoreland zone ordinance at the May 2009 town meeting that were approved by the DEP using the guidelines in effect at that time, we still have more work to do. On July 1, 2009 revised guidelines went in to effect and we have been advised by the DEP that our shoreland zone land use ordinances are no longer consistent with the guidelines, i.e. are no longer approved by the DEP. We have been working since last fall, in consulation with the Southern Maine DEP Assistant Shoreland Zoning Coordinator, to produce a proposal for ordinance changes to be considered at the May 2010 town meeting that will be approved by the DEP.
You will note that since we failed to meet the July 1, 2009 deadline for updating our shoreland zone ordinances to meet the May 2006 Guidelines the State will impose the Guidelines on us if we do not get our ordinances approved this year. Also, note that our current shoreland zone ordinances are in effect until the DEP formally notifies us that they are imposing the May 2006 Guidelines on us.
The following links can be used to view, and download, various documents related to the changes we are proposing.
Current Land Use Ordinance (Articles 2 Definitions, 4 Shoreland Zoning District Standards, 6.3 Expansion in the Shoreland Zone and portions of 13.5 Variances, constitute the text of our current shoreland zone ordinances.)
Article that appeared in the July 2009 issue of Maine Municipal Association publication, The Maine Townsman, related to the May 2006 Guidelines for Municipal Zoning Ordinances
Town MeetingWarrant articles 56-59 deal with changes the Planning Board is proposing to our Land Use Ordinance related to the Shoreland Zone. Click here to view the 2010 Town Report. The following document, because of its size, is not reproduced in the 2010 Town Report. Printed copies are available at Town Hall and will be available at town meeting. The text of the other changes the Planning Board is proposing are printed in the Town Report.
2010 Proposed Shoreland Zoning District Standards
So you can compare what is being proposed with what currently exists, here is a link to our current Land Use Ordinance. The Shoreland Zoning District Standards are Article 4 on page 29 of this document. Copies of the current Land Use Ordinance are available at Town Hall.
Current Land Use Ordinance
