Help us plan for the future of Damariscotta!
As we work to update our Comprehensive Plan, we want to hear from you!
A public draft of the plan is now available! Click the button below to view the document and provide feedback.
View the public draft of the Comprehensive Plan and provide feedback!
A public draft of the Comprehensive Plan is now available, and we need your feedback now more than ever. Click here to view and provide input. Help refine Goals & Implementation Strategies!
Upcoming Events
Public Plan Presentation
When: Saturday, June 15th at 10:00AM
Where: Great Salt Bay Community School
The public draft of the Comprehensive Plan will be presented for the first time during town meeting on June 15th. This is for informational purposes only, no votes will be taken on the Comprehensive Plan at this time. Please...
Public Plan Open House
When: Tuesday, June 18th at 6:00PM
Where: Town Office, 21 School Street
Your input is needed now more than ever! You’re invited to provide comment on the Plan before it moves on to the Planning Board for a public hearing in August/September 2024. Help refine Goals & Implementation Strategies!
Adopted Reports & Plans
The last Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2014, and much has changed since then. As we begin the task of updating the plan, we want to hear from you!
The update to the Comprehensive Plan will be an approximately two-year long process, ultimately culminating in a new, shared vision for the community and a record memorializing the decisions made and actions committed to during the planning process.
Project Timeline
Project Initiation
This phase included appointing a Comprehensive Plan Committee and various topic area subcommittees, as well as adopting a work plan for the project.
Review of Existing Conditions
This phase of the project included a review of existing policies and implementation strategies as outlined in the 2014 Comprehensive Plan and discussion of their continued relevance for the community, as well as the preparation and review of current data.
Community Visioning
This phase includes various public engagement strategies (both in-person and virtual events and options to gather input from the community) which will inform the plan.
Draft Plan
This phase will include drafting of the topic area components, Future Land Use Plan, and the implementation strategies associated with the goals identified during the community visioning phase.
Public Plan Review
During this phase, the plan will be presented to the public for review and comment. Then, the Comprehensive Plan Committee will meet to discuss any changes made necessary by public comments. Public hearings with the Planning Board and Selectboard are also required. Then, the plan will be sent to a Special Town Meeting for a vote by residents. Once adopted, the Plan will be provided to the State of Maine for their review.
Plan Implementation (Ongoing)
After final adoption, the next 10 years will be spent implementing the policy goals outlined in the plan.
Community Engagement Documents
Get Involved!
Interactive Map
Comments on the interactive map are now closed, but you can still view the comments left by others. Check back soon for additional ways to participate in the planning process!
FAQs
What is a Comprehensive Plan?
A municipality's Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) takes a long-range look at various policy areas that impact the community. The Comp Plan provides a shared vision for the community and produces a record memorializing the decisions made and actions committed to during the planning process.
How long will this process take?
A final draft of the Plan is anticipated to be available for the public to review in the Spring of 2024. We anticipate that it will be on the Town Meeting Warrant for the regular Town Meeting in June 2024.
What is included in a Comprehensive Plan?
The Comprehensive Plan will cover at least the following topic areas, required by the State of Maine:
- Population and Demographics
- Existing Land Use
- Natural & Water Resources
- Agricultural & Forest Resources
- Marine Resources
- Economy
- Housing
- Recreation
- Transportation
- Public Facilities & Services
- Historic and Archaeological Resources
- Future Land Use
- Fiscal Capacity & Capital Investment
What are the advantages of adopting a Comprehensive Plan?
Having a Comprehensive Plan that has been found consistent by the State of Maine provides protections for local regulation. Municipalities are authorized to do certain things if they have a certified-consistent Comprehensive Plan. These include expanding shoreland zoning, creating impact fees, and issuing specific kinds of permits, for example.
Additionally, having a certified-consistent Comprehensive Plan allows municipalities to apply for more than $80 million that is awarded annually through nearly 30 State grant and loan programs where having a Comp Plan is a requirement.
Where can I learn more?
Stay up-to-date by checking out the agendas of the Comprehensive Plan Committee, which can be found on the Town's website here.
Additionally, you can contact the Town Planner directly using the information provided below!
