PRELIMINARY RESEARCH & DRAFTING STAGE

Comprehensive Land Use Plan Revision

Last Updated: March 2008

Preliminary Research & Drafting

The Commission began research related to revision of the Plan in 2005. This work is summarized below. Some of the information generated during this phase is available on this website as audio or document files.

Topic-Specific Commission Panel Discussions

The Commission hosted a series of topic-specific panel discussions beginning in 2005. At these panel discussions, speakers were invited to share their thoughts on a variety of topics such as nature-based recreation, conservation easements, wildlife and fisheries resources, forest resources and land ownership, provision of public services to unorganized areas, economic development in rural areas, the perspectives of large landowners, and others. The goal of these panel discussions was to inform the Commission and staff about important issues affecting the jurisdiction.

Data Collection, Research, and Analysis

In 2005, the staff began collecting and analyzing information about the jurisdiction, including data on natural, cultural, and recreational resources, land ownership, the economy, and development trends.

A considerable amount of information about natural resources has become available for mapping and analysis using geographic information systems (computer-based mapping) over the past decade. Much of this information was not available to the Commission when the Plan was last revised in the 1990s. Similarly, many of the Commission’s permitting records have been digitized since the Plan was last revised. Collectively, these information advances have significantly expanded the staff’s ability to document natural resources and analyze development trends in the jurisdiction. Much of this new information is reflected in the “Public Workshop Draft” of the Plan.

Preparation of Preliminary Draft

Commission staff wrote a preliminary draft of the plan in sections over a period of time. These early drafts provided an opportunity for the Commission to discuss specific issues, raise questions for further research, and give feedback to the staff. The Commission compiled and released the complete Public Workshop Draft for public comment and discussion near the end of 2007. The purpose of having a preliminary draft is to engage the public in the comprehensive planning process. Information about how to review and comment on the Public Workshop Draft is available by clicking here.

“Meetings and Events” Table

The “Meetings and Events” table below describes the chronology of the Commission’s comprehensive planning activities during the preliminary research and drafting phase (2005 through 2007).

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REVISION

PRELIMINARY RESEARCH AND DRAFTING PHASE

CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF MEETINGS AND EVENTS, 2005 – 2007

Date

Event Description

11/16/2007

Release of Public Workshop Draft - Public Workshop Draft is released for public review and comment

10/09/2007 Commission Meeting - The Commission's staff will present a preliminary draft of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan:

09/05/2007
Commission Meeting- The Commission will host a discussion on Roads and Wildlife.

"The discussion on Roads and Wildlife was cancelled prior to the meeting and was not rescheduled.”

8/30/2007
Commission Meeting - The Commission's staff will present a preliminary draft of the Chapter 4, Development

8/1/2007
Governor's Wind Power Task Force, a briefing on the gorp's responsibilities and goals

Wind Power Forum a presentation on Maine's Energy Policy and the Development of Wind Power.

07/11/2007 Roads Providing Access to Development - a staff briefing on issue of road access to intensive development.

4/7/2007 Commission Meeting- The Commission staff will present information regarding Development Chapter 4, specifically public facilities and services.

3/7/2007
Commission Meeting- The Commission staff will present information regarding Development Chapter 4, specifically non-residential trends and patterns.

2/7/2007
Commission Meeting- The Commission staff will present information regarding Development Chapter 4, specifically residential trends and patterns.

10/04/2006 Commission Meeting - The Commission will host a panel discussion on rural economic development, including speakers with regional and state-wide experience.

09/06/2006

Commission Meeting - The Commission's staff will present a preliminary draft of the Coastal Resources section for discussion.

08/02/2006

Commission Meeting - The Commission will host a panel discussion on various aspects of the issue of affordable workforce housing, including defining housing affordability and varations in different parts of Maine, funding housing projects, and establishing regional approaches to address this issue.

07/12/2006 (D-PD) Planned Development Subdistrict - a review of the zone and the review process as an effective planning tool.

07/12/2006

Commission Meeting - The July 12, 2006, meeting will include discussion of several preliminary sections including Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Scenic Resources, Water Resources of the 2007 Comprehensive Land Use Plan:

06/06/2006

Commission Meeting - The June 6, 2006, meeting includes the following agenda items:

County services panel - The Commission will hear a panel of County Commissioners discuss county services provided to developments throughout the unorganized territories.

Preliminary drafts of 2007 Plan -The Commission's staff will present three preliminary drafts (Recreational Resources, Forest Resources, Plant and Animal Habitat) of the 2007 Comprehensive Land Use Plan related to natural resources.
Note: Discussion of the Plant and Animal Habitat draft may be pushed back to June 7th, if time does not allow a discussion on June 6th.

Patterns of Change Report - Planning Decisions, Inc., of South Portland was retained by the Commission's staff to analyze changes in land use and land ownership in the jurisdiction, as background for the 2007 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The findings of the consulting firm's research are summarized in a report entitled, "Patterns of Change: Three Decades of Change in LURC's Jurisdiction". There will not be a presentation or discussion of this report on June 6th. This report was provided to the Commission for reference and future discussion.

05/03/2006

Commission Meeting - The May 2006 meeting will include discussion of two preliminary drafts (Energy Resources, Recreational Resources) of the draft CLUP.

• Recreational Resources - Tabled to June 6, 2006, meeting.

04/05/2006

Commission Meeting - The April 2006 Commission meeting includes the following agenda items:

Exempt lots - The Commission's staff will present a report summarizing findings about the extent of unregulated land division activities within the unorganized territories in the past 20 years.

Aquatic invasive species - Roberta Hill, Director of the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program's Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants, will share her thoughts on LURC's regulatory role in addressing the issue of aquatic invasive species.

Energy resources/wind power panel - (follow-up to 12/07/2005 panel) The Commission's staff will share a draft guidance document on factors to consider for wind power developments. The Commission will also host a panel discussion on energy transmission and interconnection, how wind power fits into the New England power grid, an overview of the State's 2006 energy work plan, and other issues facing wind power.

Preliminary drafts of 2007 Plan -The Commission's staff will present two more preliminary drafts (Geologic Resources, Wetland Resources) of the 2007 Comprehensive Land Use Plan related to natural resources.

03/13/2006

Commission Meeting - After nearly two years of resesarch and discussion on a range of issues facing the Commission's jurisdiction, the planning staff will present to the Commission the first of a series of preliminary drafts sections of the 2007 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The meeting will include discussion of the initial draft of a vision statement and several drafts related to natural and cultural resources (Agricultural Resources, Air Resources, Cultural, Archaeological and Historical Resources).

03/01/2006

Commission Meeting - Hear Dave Soucy (Bureau of Parks and Lands) and Danny Martin (Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife) share their thoughts on the recreation resource issues facing the unorganized territories.

02/13/2006

Commission Meeting - Host a follow-up panel forum to December's policy discussion on LURC's potential future role with conservation easements.

01/23/2006

Commission Meeting - Host a forestry panel discussion focusing on the current status of Maine's forest resources, the future outlook for the forestry industry, and changing land ownership patterns in the North Woods and beyond.

01/04/2006

Commission Meeting - Host a consumptive water use panel discussion focusing on issues facing the future of water use in the Commission's jurisdiction; hear Arthur Spiess from the Maine Historic Preservation Commission share his thoughts regarding the historical, cultural and archaeological resources in the jurisdiction; and listen to Mark Stadler from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife give an overview of Maine's significant habitats, deer wintering areas and the Northern Landscape Planning Initiative.

12/07/2005

Commission Meeting - Present a proposed 2006 timeline for the CLUP revision process; host a panel discussion on wind energy resource issues; hear Jeff Pidot from the Office of the Attorney General share his knowledge and insights about conservation easements.

09/07/2005

Commission Meeting - Host a panel discussion about past, current and future issues surrounding the coastal islands in the unorganized territory; hear Bill Strauss of FutureMetrics LLC provide an overview of a 2005 survey of Monhegan Island residents and business owners.

07/06/2005

Commission Meeting - Commission staff and Alec Giffen, Director of the Maine Forest Service, continue last month's discussion of the Lake Management Program. This discussion item will focus on the program's history, implementation and policy efforts, and the need to revisit portions of the program as part of the CLUP revision.

06/01/2005

~~05/04/2005~~

Commission Meeting - Provide the Commission with an overview of the Commission's Lake Management Program, including a discussion on the purpose and review process of concept plans. Note: This item was tabled during the May 4th Commission meeting and has been tentatively re-scheduled for the June 1 meeting.

04/06/2005

Commission Meeting - Hear Paul Jacques, Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, share his thoughts on motorized recreation, the current and future outlook for the traditional sportsman, and the wildlife and fisheries resources in the North Woods. Representatives from the Somerset County Commission and the Jackman Planning Board will also share insights about the rising burden facing county services and land use planning efforts in the Town of Jackman.

03/02/2005

Commission Meeting - Host a panel discussion focusing on current and future challenges facing recreation industries and organizations that depend on the North Woods; hear the Millinocket town manager speak about current and emerging issues facing the Millinocket region.

02/02/2005

Commission Meeting - Debrief the Commission on the 01/12/2005 panel discussion; review the 1997 Plan implementation schedule; create a subcommittee to work on a vision statement for the 2007 Plan; hear the Greenville town manager's vision for the future of the Moosehead Lake region.

01/12/2005

Commission Meeting - Host a panel discussion focusing on the changing character of nature-based recreation in the North Woods.

12/08/2004

Commission Meeting - Provide the Commission with an overview of the 1997 Comprehensive Land Use Plan, in preparation for discussion on creating a vision statement for the 2007 Plan.

11/10/2004

Commission Meeting - Update the Commission on the 10/20/2004 staff brainstorming session; gather feedback on other issues of concern to the Commission; review preliminary timeline for the plan revision.

10/20/2004

Planning Staff Brainstorming Session - Generate a discussion of significant issues facing the jurisdiction today and over the next 10 years; expand upon the list of issues discussed during the June 2004 Commission meeting.

06/09/2004

Commission Meeting - Review process for plan update with Commission; seek preliminary feedback on nature and timing of next revision.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REVISION PRELIMINARY RESEARCH AND DRAFTING PHASE CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF MEETINGS AND EVENTS, 2005 – 2007
Date	Event Description
11/16/2007	Release of Public Workshop Draft - Public Workshop Draft is released for public review and comment
10/09/2007	Commission Meeting - The Commission's staff will present a preliminary draft of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan:
09/05/2007	Commission Meeting- The Commission will host a discussion on Roads and Wildlife. "The discussion on Roads and Wildlife was cancelled prior to the meeting and was not rescheduled.”
8/30/2007	Commission Meeting - The Commission's staff will present a preliminary draft of the Chapter 4, Development
8/1/2007	Governor's Wind Power Task Force, a briefing on the gorp's responsibilities and goals Wind Power Forum a presentation on Maine's Energy Policy and the Development of Wind Power.
07/11/2007	Roads Providing Access to Development - a staff briefing on issue of road access to intensive development.
4/7/2007	Commission Meeting- The Commission staff will present information regarding Development Chapter 4, specifically public facilities and services.
3/7/2007	Commission Meeting- The Commission staff will present information regarding Development Chapter 4, specifically non-residential trends and patterns.
2/7/2007	Commission Meeting- The Commission staff will present information regarding Development Chapter 4, specifically residential trends and patterns.
10/04/2006	Commission Meeting - The Commission will host a panel discussion on rural economic development, including speakers with regional and state-wide experience.
09/06/2006	Commission Meeting - The Commission's staff will present a preliminary draft of the Coastal Resources section for discussion.
08/02/2006	Commission Meeting - The Commission will host a panel discussion on various aspects of the issue of affordable workforce housing, including defining housing affordability and varations in different parts of Maine, funding housing projects, and establishing regional approaches to address this issue.
07/12/2006	(D-PD) Planned Development Subdistrict - a review of the zone and the review process as an effective planning tool.
07/12/2006	Commission Meeting - The July 12, 2006, meeting will include discussion of several preliminary sections including Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Scenic Resources, Water Resources of the 2007 Comprehensive Land Use Plan:
06/06/2006	Commission Meeting - The June 6, 2006, meeting includes the following agenda items: County services panel - The Commission will hear a panel of County Commissioners discuss county services provided to developments throughout the unorganized territories. Preliminary drafts of 2007 Plan -The Commission's staff will present three preliminary drafts (Recreational Resources, Forest Resources, Plant and Animal Habitat) of the 2007 Comprehensive Land Use Plan related to natural resources. Note: Discussion of the Plant and Animal Habitat draft may be pushed back to June 7th, if time does not allow a discussion on June 6th. Patterns of Change Report - Planning Decisions, Inc., of South Portland was retained by the Commission's staff to analyze changes in land use and land ownership in the jurisdiction, as background for the 2007 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The findings of the consulting firm's research are summarized in a report entitled, "Patterns of Change: Three Decades of Change in LURC's Jurisdiction". There will not be a presentation or discussion of this report on June 6th. This report was provided to the Commission for reference and future discussion.
05/03/2006	Commission Meeting - The May 2006 meeting will include discussion of two preliminary drafts (Energy Resources, Recreational Resources) of the draft CLUP. • Recreational Resources - Tabled to June 6, 2006, meeting.
04/05/2006	Commission Meeting - The April 2006 Commission meeting includes the following agenda items: Exempt lots - The Commission's staff will present a report summarizing findings about the extent of unregulated land division activities within the unorganized territories in the past 20 years. Aquatic invasive species - Roberta Hill, Director of the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program's Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants, will share her thoughts on LURC's regulatory role in addressing the issue of aquatic invasive species. Energy resources/wind power panel - (follow-up to 12/07/2005 panel) The Commission's staff will share a draft guidance document on factors to consider for wind power developments. The Commission will also host a panel discussion on energy transmission and interconnection, how wind power fits into the New England power grid, an overview of the State's 2006 energy work plan, and other issues facing wind power. Preliminary drafts of 2007 Plan -The Commission's staff will present two more preliminary drafts (Geologic Resources, Wetland Resources) of the 2007 Comprehensive Land Use Plan related to natural resources.
03/13/2006	Commission Meeting - After nearly two years of resesarch and discussion on a range of issues facing the Commission's jurisdiction, the planning staff will present to the Commission the first of a series of preliminary drafts sections of the 2007 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The meeting will include discussion of the initial draft of a vision statement and several drafts related to natural and cultural resources (Agricultural Resources, Air Resources, Cultural, Archaeological and Historical Resources).
03/01/2006	Commission Meeting - Hear Dave Soucy (Bureau of Parks and Lands) and Danny Martin (Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife) share their thoughts on the recreation resource issues facing the unorganized territories.
02/13/2006	Commission Meeting - Host a follow-up panel forum to December's policy discussion on LURC's potential future role with conservation easements.
01/23/2006	Commission Meeting - Host a forestry panel discussion focusing on the current status of Maine's forest resources, the future outlook for the forestry industry, and changing land ownership patterns in the North Woods and beyond.
01/04/2006	Commission Meeting - Host a consumptive water use panel discussion focusing on issues facing the future of water use in the Commission's jurisdiction; hear Arthur Spiess from the Maine Historic Preservation Commission share his thoughts regarding the historical, cultural and archaeological resources in the jurisdiction; and listen to Mark Stadler from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife give an overview of Maine's significant habitats, deer wintering areas and the Northern Landscape Planning Initiative.
12/07/2005	Commission Meeting - Present a proposed 2006 timeline for the CLUP revision process; host a panel discussion on wind energy resource issues; hear Jeff Pidot from the Office of the Attorney General share his knowledge and insights about conservation easements.
09/07/2005	Commission Meeting - Host a panel discussion about past, current and future issues surrounding the coastal islands in the unorganized territory; hear Bill Strauss of FutureMetrics LLC provide an overview of a 2005 survey of Monhegan Island residents and business owners.
07/06/2005	Commission Meeting - Commission staff and Alec Giffen, Director of the Maine Forest Service, continue last month's discussion of the Lake Management Program. This discussion item will focus on the program's history, implementation and policy efforts, and the need to revisit portions of the program as part of the CLUP revision.
06/01/2005 ~~05/04/2005~~	Commission Meeting - Provide the Commission with an overview of the Commission's Lake Management Program, including a discussion on the purpose and review process of concept plans. Note: This item was tabled during the May 4th Commission meeting and has been tentatively re-scheduled for the June 1 meeting.
04/06/2005	Commission Meeting - Hear Paul Jacques, Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, share his thoughts on motorized recreation, the current and future outlook for the traditional sportsman, and the wildlife and fisheries resources in the North Woods. Representatives from the Somerset County Commission and the Jackman Planning Board will also share insights about the rising burden facing county services and land use planning efforts in the Town of Jackman.
03/02/2005	Commission Meeting - Host a panel discussion focusing on current and future challenges facing recreation industries and organizations that depend on the North Woods; hear the Millinocket town manager speak about current and emerging issues facing the Millinocket region.
02/02/2005	Commission Meeting - Debrief the Commission on the 01/12/2005 panel discussion; review the 1997 Plan implementation schedule; create a subcommittee to work on a vision statement for the 2007 Plan; hear the Greenville town manager's vision for the future of the Moosehead Lake region.
01/12/2005	Commission Meeting - Host a panel discussion focusing on the changing character of nature-based recreation in the North Woods.
12/08/2004	Commission Meeting - Provide the Commission with an overview of the 1997 Comprehensive Land Use Plan, in preparation for discussion on creating a vision statement for the 2007 Plan.
11/10/2004	Commission Meeting - Update the Commission on the 10/20/2004 staff brainstorming session; gather feedback on other issues of concern to the Commission; review preliminary timeline for the plan revision.
10/20/2004	Planning Staff Brainstorming Session - Generate a discussion of significant issues facing the jurisdiction today and over the next 10 years; expand upon the list of issues discussed during the June 2004 Commission meeting.
06/09/2004	Commission Meeting - Review process for plan update with Commission; seek preliminary feedback on nature and timing of next revision.