Western Maine Region - Community Guided Planning and Zoning

Last Updated: May 31, 2016

In 2014 the Commission selected the Western Maine region to participate in a Community Guided Planning and Zoning (CGPZ) process in Franklin and Somerset Counties. Androscoggin Valley Council of Government (AVCOG), Kennebec Valley Council of Government (KVCOG), and Somerset Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) agreed to jointly undertake a CGPZ project encompassing U.T. lands in both counties.

The Western Maine planning region includes unorganized or deorganized areas in the northern portions of both counties. The region includes large tracts of industrial forest, mountains, rivers, lakes, and streams that all contribute significantly to an economy driven by a mix of natural resources, recreation, and tourism.

The Process

The planning process includes three distinct phases: Pre-planning, Land Use Planning, and Adoption & Implementation. The project is currently in the Land Use Planning Phase. The Pre-planning Phase included three workshops intended to investigate regional interest in a CGPZ project and to define the process by which such a project could move forward. Professional facilitators ran the workshops and helped coordinate the pre-planning process. The LUPC worked with AVCOG, KVGOC, SEDC, and a steering committee to develop a document that described the proposed planning process, reflected time and resources available for the project, and reflected the basic CGPZ principles outlined by the Commission.

The process document was approved by the AVCOG, KVCOG, and SEDC Executive Boards following the steering committee’s final meeting on October 6th, 2014. The process document was submitted to the LUPC for its review and approval at the November 12th, 2014 Commission meeting.

The Land Use Planning Phase is currently underway. The Planning Committee includes a broad cross-section of stakeholders. Two regional sub-committees meet monthly near the jurisdiction in either county, then report back to the Planning Committee which meets in a central location.

How can I participate?

If you would like more information and are located in Franklin County, please contact John Maloney at AVCOG: 783-9186 Ext. 224. If you are located in Somerset County, please contact Chris Huck at KVCOG: 453-4258 Ext. 222.

Phases & Event Meetings Additional Resources & Topics of Interest

Pre-planning

Land Use Planning
  1. January 26, 2015: Agenda
  2. February 23, 2015: Agenda, Minutes
  3. February 24, 2015: Agenda, Minutes
  4. March 23, 2015: Agenda, Minutes
  5. March 26, 2015: Agenda, Minutes
  6. April 28, 2015: Agenda, Minutes
  7. April 30, 2015: Agenda, Minutes
  8. May 26, 2015: Agenda, Minutes
  9. May 28, 2015: Agenda, Minutes
  10. June 23, 2015: Agenda, Minutes
  11. June 25, 2015: Agenda, Minutes
  12. July 28, 2015: Agenda, Minutes
  13. September 24, 2015: Minutes
  1. Topic: Region Map
  2. Topic: Chapter 10 Presentation, Roles Handout, CLUP Excerpts, Land Uses in the M-GN
  3. No Topic or Additional Resources
  4. No Topic or Additional Resources
  5. No Topic or Additional Resources
  6. No Topic or Additional Resources
  7. Topic: Somerset County Economic Development Plan (Handout)
  8. No Topic or Additional Resources
  9. Topic: Stage One Report
  10. Topic: CGPZ Handout (Handout)
  11. Topics: Recreational Support Businesses
  12. Topics: Common Themes

Adoption & Implementation

    

Background Information

  
  1. AVCOG, KVCOG, SEDC
  2. Rangeley Lakes Region Prospective Plan
  3. 2010 Comprehensive Land Use Plan
  4. Chapter 10 - Land Use Districts and Standards
  5. LUPC statute (M.R.S. 12 §681-689)