Planning Day 2022

October 26, 2022

Maine Vernal Pool Special Area Management Plan

The Maine Vernal Pool Special Area Management Plan is a voluntary mitigation option for projects impacting vernal pools in a specified Designated Development Area determined by the municipality and State Agencies. Learn how towns utilize third-party land conservation organizations to map these resources and conserve high-quality vernal poolscapes in the rural area identified in the municipality’s comprehensive plan from the development that impacts vernal pools in the Designated Development Area.

Presenters: Aram Calhoun, Professor Emerita of Wetlands Ecology at the University of Maine Orono; Rod Melanson, City of Bath Sustainability Director

Maine Vernal Pool Special Area Management Plan Slides (PDF)

Community Resilience Partnership Overview and Case Studies

Our regional Community Resilience Partnership coordinator will review the program's progress in our region. The session will include case studies in the towns of Carthage, Greenwood, and Jay, with a chance to hear from those town officials.

Presenters: Yvette Meunier, AVCOG Regional Resiliency Coordinator; Zach Gosselin, AVCOG Resilience and Environmental Planner, Shiloh LaFreniere Jay Town Manager; Kim Sparks, Greenwood Town Manager; Jan Hutchinson, Carthage Selectboard Chair

Community Resilience Partnership Overview and Case Studies (PDF)

Getting to know the State Fire Marshal Office

This session provides a brief overview of the Office of the State Fire Marshal divisions. Specific attention will be focused on what, where, and when permits are required per State of Maine statutes.

Presenter: Marc Veilleux, State of Maine Public Safety Inspector III

Getting to know the State Fire Marshal Office (PDF)

Solar Siting Guide for Maine Municipalities

Maine Farmland Trust presents an overview of “Balancing Solar Development and Farmland Protection: A Solar Siting Guide for Maine Towns,” a new resource that compiles planning strategies communities are using across the state to support balanced solar siting. This session includes a forum with representative(s) from some of the towns highlighted in the guide.

Presenters: Thatcher Carter, Municipal Policy Associate and Abby Farnham, Policy and Research Associate with Maine Farmland Trust; Victor Langelo, Topsham Conservation Commission Chair

Solar Siting Guide for Maine Municipalities (PDF)

Affordable Housing, LD 2003 and Case Law

Phil Saucier will provide an overview of the new law known as LD 2003, “An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Commission to Increase Housing Opportunities in May by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions” and its consequences on municipal zoning, home rule, and affordable housing initiatives from a practical perspective. Additional legal hot topics and case law will be covered by Natalie Burns.

Presenters: Philip Saucier, Bernstein Shur Attorney; Natalie Burns, Jensen Baird Attorney

Affordable Housing, LD 2003 and Case Law (PDF)