DACF Home → Bureaus & Programs → Municipal Planning Assistance Program → Technical Assistance → Planning Webinars
Planning Webinars for Maine Communities
The Maine Planning Basics Webinar Series
Co-initiated by the Bureau of Resource Information and Land Use Planning at DACF, Maine’s Regional Councils, and the Maine Association of Planners, is intended for those new to the profession and those new to planning in Maine. This program responds to a significant increase in new planners in the State. We aim to provide practitioners with an introductory understanding of land use planning legislation and regulations and the governance context in which planners function in Maine.
Webinar Event Calendar
Training sessions are scheduled for the first Friday of each month from 12 pm to 1:30 pm via Zoom. Meeting ID: 867 9164 0853 Passcode: 405503
| Session Name | Featured Speakers | Date |
|---|---|---|
| MaineDOT Local Roads Assistance Program | Peter Coughlan, P.E., Director, Maine Local Roads Center | Friday September 6, 2024, 12:00-1:30 pm |
| MaineDOT Community-Based Initiatives and Active Transportation Planning | Matt Drost, MaineDOT Regional Transportation Planner and Scenic Byways Coordinator Dakota Hewlett, MaineDOT Active Transportation Planner | Friday October 4, 2024, 12:00-1:30 pm |
| Sustainability and Resilience Planning | Abbie Sherwin, SMPDC Resilience Division Director Karina Graeter, SMPDC Sustainability Division Director |
Friday November 1, 2024, 12:00-1:30 pm |
| TBD | TBD | Friday December 6, 2024, 12:00-1:30 pm |
| Friday January 3, 2025, CANCELED due to the holiday | ||
| TBD | TBD | Friday February 7, 2024, 12:00-1:30 pm |
Webinar Archive
Best Practices for Comprehensive Planning, 8/2/2024
Comprehensive Planning Best Practices. Hosted by Hancock County Planning Commission and presented by Jay Kamm, Senior Planner with the Northern Maine Development Commission, and Ashley Gamache, Planner II with the Municipal Planning Assistance Program. Presentation available as PowerPoint and PDF.
Lessons Learned from New Planners, 6/7/2024
Listen to a panel discussion with new planners who reflect on their experience working as planners in Maine. Hosted by Hancock County Planning Commission.
Site Plan Review Presentation, 5/3/2024
Learn about the importance of site plan review and its relationship with other reviews, such as subdivision. Hosted by Hancock County Planning Commission and presented by Leah Rachin, an attorney with Drummond Woodsum. Presentation available as PowerPoint and PDF.
Maine DEP Shoreland Zoning Presentation, 3/1/2024
Maine DEP Shoreland Zoning overview presentation. Hosted by Hancock County Planning Commission and presented by Colin Clark, Shoreland Zoning Coordinator, Maine DEP. Presentation available as PowerPoint and PDF.
MaineHousing Presentation, 2/2/2024
MaineHousing overview presentation. Hosted by Hancock County Planning Commission and presented by Dan Brennan, Director of MaineHousing. Presentation available as PowerPoint and PDF.
Subdivision Presentation, 11/3/2023
Maine Subdivision overview presentation. Hosted by Hancock County Planning Commission and presented by Lee Jay Feldman, Director of Land Use and Planning at the Southern Maine Planning & Development Commision. Presentation available as PowerPoint and PDF.
Growth Management Law Presentation, 10/6/2023
Overview presentation of Maine's Growth Managment Law. Hosted by Hancock County Planning Commission and presented by Judy East, Bureau Director, Resource Information and Land Use Planning at DACF. Presentation available as PowerPoint and PDF.
Low Impact Development - It Works Better and Can Cost Less
November 1, 2011
Presented by LaMarr Clannon, Non-Point Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO)
Presentation: NEMO Low Impact Development slide presentation
Background Information:
Taking action to protect clean water and cut expenses can become a win-win situation with Low Impact Development (LID) techniques such as green streets, infiltration areas, porous pavement and gravel wetlands. This webinar presents data from the University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center on the effectiveness of various treatment techniques in cold climates, and economic case studies on the use of LID techniques in watersheds, both nearby and across the nation.
Developing Resilient Local Communities in a Changing Climate
December 15, 2010
Presented by Malcolm Burson, Associate Director, Policy Services and Climate Adaptation Program Manager, Maine Department of Environmental Protection
Presentation: Developing Resilient Local Communities in a Changing Climate
Background Information:
The webinar introduced the concept of 'resilience' as a lens for assessment and planning and was intended to allow local officials to learn more about key consequences of a changing climate that they may not have considered yet. After a brief review of current information about observed and forecast climatic changes in Maine and potential local impacts, the webinar focused on the need to assess vulnerability and develop forward-looking responses in four critical areas:
- Public safety and emergency preparedness
- Public infrastructure, including transportation and drinking/waste/storm water management
- Public health
- Local housing and development
A 2009 University of Maine report, Maine's Climate Future has catalogued what we already know about how climate changes are affecting all parts of our state and all sectors of our economy. The 124th Maine legislature requested and, in 2010, received a report, People and Nature Adapting to a Changing Climate: Charting Maine's Course, that outlines initial steps Maine should be taking to build local and state-wide capacity to respond to these changes.
Optional Shoreland Zoning Standards for Areas Adjacent to Great Ponds
November 19, 2010
Presented by Bill LaFlamme, Coordinator, Nonpoint Source Training and Resource Center, Division of Watershed Management, Maine DEP
Presentation: Optional Shoreland Zoning Standards for Greater Protection of Areas Adjacent to Great Ponds
Supporting documents:
Optional Shoreland Zoning Standards For Areas Adjacent to Great Ponds Handout
Background Information: The NPS Training Center develops and implements training workshops; develops and maintains various publications and a video lending library; and acts as a clearinghouse for NPS and BMP information.
This Webinar provides information on what municipalities may wish to adopt to provide additional protection to Great Ponds. Unbeknownst to most municipal officials, current Shoreland Zoning requirements provide only a basic level of protection. These optional standards, many of which are based on DEP's LakeSmart program, are designed to better protect water quality by further minimizing polluted stormwater runoff. This will maintain existing recreational uses of great ponds as well as shorefront property values. The 19 standards promote the maintenance of large undisturbed buffers, the adoption of a phosphorus control ordinance, the use of non-phosphorus fertilizer, the use of erosion and sediment control practices on roads and pathways, and proper maintenance of septic systems. The webinar provides detailed information on each proposed standard and is also an opportunity to provide feedback before the standards are officially released.
Adaptation to Sea Level Rise in Saco Bay
June 17, 2010
Presented by Peter Slovinsky, Coastal Geologist, Maine Geological Survey and J.T. Lockman AICP, Planning Director, Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission
Presentation: Adaptation to Sea Level Rise in Saco Bay (best viewed with Windows Media Player)
Supporting documents:
- Adaptation to Sea Level Rise in Saco Bay, Peter Slovinsky
- Adaptation to Sea Level Rise in Saco Bay, J.T. Lockman AICP
For More Information Visit: MPAP's Climate Variability webpage.
Place-Based Maine & Form-Based Codes for Planners
May 27, 2010
Presented by: Alan S. Manoian, AICP, Director Planning and Community Development, Town of Bridgton, Maine
Presentation: Place-based Maine & Form-Based Codes for Planners
Background Information:
The following materials are referenced in this presentation:
- Form-Based Code Institute website
- Station Area Form-Based Code, Farmer's Branch, TX
- Pleasant Hill Bart Station Property Code, Regulating Plan and Architectural Standards, Waldon, CA
Place-based Maine & Form-Based Codes: An Introduction to Form Based Codes
April 22, 2010
Presented by: Alan S. Manoian AICP Director Planning and Community Development, Town of Bridgton, Maine
Presentation:
Place-Based Maine & Form-Based Codes (best viewed with Windows Media Player - presentation begins at 00:01:45)
Supporting documents:
Place-Based Maine & Form-Based Codes slide presentation
For More Information Visit: MPAP's Form-Based Codes webpage