GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN - UPDATE. A common rule of thumb is that plans should be evaluated every five years (and revised, if necessary), and thoroughly.

GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN - UPDATE

A common rule of thumb is that plans should be evaluated every five years (and revised, if necessary), and thoroughly updated every decade.

Using an outer limit of 10 years also makes sense because this is the length of the planning period as defined in statute, and most plans use that time frame in making projections and identifying issues. (Kittery Comprehensive Plan – 1999)

Beyond a decade, plans become particularly outdated, as projections, identified issues and proposed strategies become less accurate or relevant.

SPO PLANNING GUIDANCE MANUAL

Encourage orderly growth and development in appropriate areas of each community and region

Plan for, finance and develop an efficient system of public facilities and services

Promote an economic climate which increases job opportunities and overall economic well-being

Encourage and promote affordable, decent housing opportunities Protect the quality and manage the quantity of the water

resources  Protect other critical natural resources  Protect marine resources industry, ports and harbors  Safeguard agricultural and forest  Preserve historic and archeological resources  Promote and protect the availability of outdoor recreation

1. Population and DemographicsNot required.

2. Economy(1) Plan for, finance, and develop an efficient system of public facilities and services to accommodate anticipated growth and economic development.(2) Promote an economic climate that increases job opportunities and overall economic well-being.

3. HousingTo encourage and promote affordable, decent housing opportunities for all Maine citizens.

4. Transportation(1) To plan for, finance and develop an efficient system of public facilities and services to accommodate anticipated growth and economic development. (1) The transportation section must be developed in accordance with the Sensible Transportation Policy Act in order to be consistent with the Growth Management Act.

5. RecreationTo promote and protect the availability of outdoor recreation opportunities for all Maine citizens, including access to surface waters.

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6. Marine Resources(1) To protect the State's marine resources industry, ports and harbors from

incompatible development and to promote access to the shore for commercial fishermen and the public.

(2) For coastal towns, a local comprehensive plan address the state coastal management policies (38 MRS §1801).

7. Water ResourcesTo protect the quality and manage the quantity of the State's water resources,

including lakes, aquifers, great ponds, estuaries, rivers, and coastal areas.

8. Critical Natural ResourcesTo protect the State's other critical natural resources, including without

limitation, wetlands, wildlife and fisheries habitat, sand dunes, shorelands, scenic vistas, and unique natural areas.

9. Historic and Archaeological ResourcesTo preserve the State's historic and archaeological resources.

10. Agricultural and Forest ResourcesTo safeguard the State's agricultural and forest resources from development

which threatens those resources.

11. Public Facilities and ServicesTo plan for, finance and develop an efficient system of public facilities and

services to accommodate anticipated growth and economic development.

12. Fiscal Capacity and Capital Investment PlanTo plan for, finance and develop an efficient system of public facilities and services to

accommodate anticipated growth and economic development.

13. Existing Land UseTo encourage orderly growth and development in appropriate areas of each

community, while protecting the state's rural character, making efficient use of public services, and preventing development sprawl.

1. Maintaining Maine’s historic settlement pattern of compact villages and urban centers separated by rural countryside, and sustaining a unique sense of place in every community by respecting local cultural and natural features;

2. Targeting economic and residential growth to compact, mixed use centers in areas with existing or planned infrastructure and services at a scale appropriate for the community and region;

3. Preserving and creating mixed use, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods that incorporate open areas, landscaping and other amenities which enhance livability;

4. Investing public funds and providing incentives and disincentives consistent with principles 1, 2, and 3 above, as well as other principles below where applicable;

5. Providing choice in the mode of transportation, and ensuring that transportation options are integrated and consistent with land use objectives;

6. Protecting environmental quality and important natural and historic features of the State, and preserving large areas of unfragmented wildlife habitat and undeveloped land;

7. Encouraging and strengthening agriculture, forestry, fishing and other natural resource-based enterprises, and minimizing conflicts of development with these industries;

8. Reinvesting in service centers and in downtowns and village areas, and supporting a diversity of viable business enterprises and housing opportunities in these areas; and

9. Establishing and maintaining coalitions with stakeholders, and engaging the public in the pursuit of smart growth solutions.

TOP OVERALL RECOMMENDATIONS Take a hard look at your existing planAggressively and creatively engage the publicShift emphasis from inventory to policyIncorporate performance measuresThink regionallyMeaningfully address housing needsThink neighborhoodTake strong steps to protect rural landsIncorporate Beginning With HabitatPlan for permanenceFocus on the fiscalAnticipate unintended consequencesIntegrate transportation planning considerationsStrengthen plan as an economic development tool

Principle Members

Council – 1 (Co-Chair)

School Committee – 1

Planning Board – 1

Board of Appeals – 1

Port Authority - 1

Citizens – 6 (Co-Chair)

Town Planner

Ex officio Members

Town Manager

School Superintendent

Water District Superintendent

Ancillary Participants – Staff

Fire Chief

Police Chief

Public Works Commissioner

Harbor Master

Sewer Superintendent

Recreation Director

Assessor

Ancillary Participants – Boards & Committees

Frisbee Revitalization Committee

Conservation Commission

Open Space Advisory Committee

Parks Commission

Rice Public Library

Energy Advisory Committee

Shellfish Conservation Committee

Other Boards/Committees, as necessary

 Ancillary Participants - Community

Spruce Creek Association

Kittery Historical Society

Kittery Land Trust

Friends of Fort McClary

Ancillary Participants - Regional

SMRPC

SPO

Eliot

York

South Berwick

Portsmouth

Newington

Milestone ONE – May– September 2010Orientation, Organization, Self Assessment, Data CollectionCompilation of Strawman Storyboard, Shortfalls & Deficiencies

Milestone TWO – September 2010- July 2011Topic SubCommittees, Support, Schedule & Expected ResultsCommunity Awareness Campaign – Vision CreationRegional Coordination Extension

Milestone THREE – July 2011- December 2011Goals Match – Council ReviewPublic Participation CampaignSubmission to SPO for CertificationTown Council for Adoption