Weekly State Rulemaking Notices – 12/19/18

AGENCY: 01-672 – Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry (DACF), Maine Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC)
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Ch. 10,Land Use Subdistricts and Standards
PROPOSED RULE NUMBER: 2018-P277
BRIEF SUMMARY: The Maine Land Use Planning Commission is seeking public comment on proposed amendments to Ch. 10, Land Use Districts and Standards, related to the Commission’s policy for locating new development – called the adjacency principle. Today, single family homes can locate in most places in the Commission’s service area, but most subdivisions and commercial development need a rezoning. To get a rezoning, these subdivisions and commercial developments generally must be located within one mile by road of existing compatible development. The proposed changes would replace the one mile rule-of-thumb with a new system for locating most new development near existing communities and public roads to make the delivery of public services more cost-effective and reduce fragmentation of undeveloped areas. In addition, the proposal would allow commercial and residential development that is dependent on, or centered around, natural or recreational resources to locate near these resources in certain circumstances. Also included in the proposed amendment are revisions to the Commission’s subdivision layout and design standards. The proposed changes are intended to improve the subdivision layout and design standards for the area served by the Commission, incorporating more flexibility and allowing more design options, while improving protections for important natural and cultural resources.
PUBLIC HEARING: January 8, 2019 at 12 p.m., Jeff’s Catering, 15 Littlefield Way, Brewer, Maine. Snow cancellation date: January 10, 2019, 12 p.m. at Jeff’s Catering
COMMENT DEADLINE: Written comments must be submitted on or prior to January 22, 2019;.Written rebuttal comments must be submitted on or prior to January 29, 2019.
CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING / SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT INFORMATION: Ben Godsoe; 22 State House Station, Augusta, Maine, 04333. Telephone: (207) 287-2619. Email: Benjamin.Godsoe@Maine.gov .
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES:
STATUTORY AUTHORITY FOR THIS RULE: 12 MRS §685-A(1), (3) and (7-A)
SUBSTANTIVE STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BEING IMPLEMENTED (if different):
LUPC RULEMAKING WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dacf/lupc/laws_rules/proposed_rules/rules.shtml
LUPC WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dacf/lupc/
DACF RULEMAKING LIAISON: Mari.Wells@Maine.gov