Recreational Lodging Process Timeline

Last Updated: April 11, 2013

Process Timeline

Stakeholder Process: June/July 2012 Notify stakeholders and public, and develop interested parties list
August 2012 Select facilitator and schedule stakeholder input sessions

September through December 2012
(See below for specific dates)

Hold stakeholder input sessions
Formal Rule-making: March 2013 Develop final package of proposed rule changes for Commission initiation of formal rule-making process (public hearing and comment)
Late Winter/Early Spring 2013 Initiate formal rule-making process

Rule Making Process

The Commission conducted a Stakeholder process to brainstorm issues and possible solutions, which is summarized below. Based on that stakeholder feedback, the Commission has prepared draft rule revisions which must undergo a formal rule making process. The following is a summary of the formal rule making process.

Item
Location
Date
File(s)
Commission review of draft rule Jeff's Catering and Event Center
East/West Industrial Park,
15 Littlefield Way
Brewer, ME
March 1, 2013
 Materials:

Stakeholder Process

Item
Location
Date
File(s)
Background Information

Guiding Criteria
Statutory Guidance:
Documents and Maps
December Stakeholder Meeting Penobscot County Courthouse, (3rd Floor) 97 Hammond St., Bangor, ME
December 13, 2012
(1:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
brownbag lunch

Staff will be accepting written comments on this material through December 31, 2012.
October Stakeholder Meeting The Waterfront Center, 8 Prince St., Lincoln, ME
October 17, 2012
(9:30 AM - 3:30 PM)
brownbag lunch
September Stakeholder Meeting The Waterfront Center, 8 Prince St., Lincoln, ME
September 12, 2012
(9:30 AM - 3:30 PM)
brownbag lunch
Commission Meetings
April 6, 2012
Stakeholder Suggested Resources

Background

Over the past several years, the Maine Land Use Planning Commission ("LUPC" or "Commission") has recognized aspects of the Commission's rules which have not kept pace with the evolving recreational lodging industry. In response, the Commission has begun a process to review and evaluate how recreational lodging facilities are classified and permitted in the unorganized territories of Maine.

In this context recreational lodging facilities range from resorts to campsites, and include commercial sporting camps, youth camps and campgrounds among other uses. The Commission's statutory purpose and Comprehensive Land Use Plan both provide significant guidance in support of recreational uses. Policies within the Comprehensive Land Use Plan direct LURC to "Encourage diverse, non-intensive and nonexclusive use of recreational resources" and "Accommodate a range of recreational uses and facilities in appropriate locations, based on the level of use, size, scale and compatibility with existing recreational and non-recreational uses."

The Commission has confirmed that identifying and implementing solutions for recreational lodging issues is a priority and directed its staff to initiate a stakeholder process that focuses on solutions that maintain the character of the jurisdiction while providing flexibility to and opportunity for recreational enterprises

Issues this project will address include:

  • Commercial sporting camps – LUPC's current rules limit these facilities to not more than 10,000 square feet of floor area. While that limit was viewed as appropriate when adopted many years ago, sporting camp owners now face higher demand for more on-site amenities and more square footage per client. This trend appears to be true for other types of lodging facilities as well.
  • The Commission's rules do not clearly define or list several recreational lodging types such as "Youth or Group Camp", "Rental Cabin" and "Back-Country Hut."
  • Rezoning – Under the current rules, many recreational lodging uses require the site to be rezoned to a subdistrict that allows the use. Updated rules could eliminate this additional step for applicants.
  • Campgrounds – The Commission's rules regulate all campgrounds in the same manner, regardless of size or impacts. For example, a campground with 12 campsites is regulated in the same manner as a campground with 400 campsites, a camp store, 20,000 square foot recreation center and septic dumping station.
  • Conversion of use – Over time, some development converts to other uses (for example: commercial sporting camps and rental cabins are converted into condominiums). LUPC's rules do not clarify how and where conversions may occur in consideration of landowner equity, predictability, and appropriate resource protection.
  • Permit expiration – The Commission's timeline by which permits expire may not be appropriate for many commercial developments, including recreational lodging uses, which often require additional time to secure project funding or to complete multiple phases of construction.

Guiding Criteria

The LUPC statute (MRSA 12 §681-689), the Comprehensive Land Use Plan,and Chapter 10 Land Use Districts and Standards provide the statutory, policy and regulatory framework for the Commission's efforts to updates its rules on recreational lodging.

For more information, or to participate in this process, contact Tim Beaucage at (207) 287-4894 or Timothy.Beaucage@maine.gov or Hugh Coxe at (207) 287-2662 or Hugh.Coxe@maine.