2023.03.17--Falmouth Focus, Volume 5, Issue 6--Special Comp Plan Edition
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In This Issue |
Welcome to a special issue of The Falmouth Focus dedicated to Falmouth's Comprehensive Planning process.
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Comprehensive Plan Update |
The Town of Falmouth is updating its Comprehensive Plan to guide future growth and policy decisions for the Town for the next decade. This planning process will build upon the work completed during the Vision & Values initiative completed in early 2022. The six pillars (shown below), established through the Town's Vision and Values initiative, will be the foundation of the Plan and will guide the development of policy recommendations that will support the community values identified in the pillars. Like preceding Comprehensive Plans, this updated Plan will define a long-term vision and roadmap for Falmouth's future. It will guide Town decisions on managing growth and redevelopment, investing in capital improvements, and addressing community issues including affordable housing, economic development, and environmental protection.
Why Update the Plan?
A comprehensive plan is a document designed to guide the future actions of a community. It presents a vision for the future, long-range goals and objectives, and an implementation strategy for how to achieve the community's vision over time. Planning helps to ensure that future growth and policy decisions are consistent with the Town's vision and that the community is prepared to respond to potential changes, including economic shifts, environmental impacts, and technology innovations. Additionally, the state of Maine incentivizes communities to establish comprehensive plans through Maine’s Growth Management Act. Only communities that adopt a consistent comprehensive plan can take advantage of certain state initiatives, including grant and funding opportunities, and can enact zoning, impact fee, and rate of growth ordinances for their community. Learn more about Maine’s Growth Management Act here. In other words, to control growth on a local level, the State of Maine requires municipalities to develop a comprehensive plan.
The Planning Process
The Comprehensive Planning Update will be divided into three phases.
- The first is establishing the history and context of where we are as a community and how we got here. We will analyze background documentation and data, summarize existing conditions and challenges, seek community input, and develop a shared understanding of the history that brought us to this juncture today.
- In the second phase we will tackle recommendations for the future by engaging the community on policy and strategy ideas to achieve the Town's vision. We will draft a future land use plan and develop policy recommendations.
- Finally, we will develop a plan for implementation by engaging the community on implementation strategies. The final, updated plan will then be drafted, reviewed, revised, and, finally, presented to the community.
Who is working on this Plan?
The Town Council has established an ad hoc Comprehensive Plan Committee to provide oversight of the update process and serve as the Town’s “planning committee” under Title 30-A, Section 4324 of the Maine Revised Statutes. Councilors Asherman, Kuhn, and Trickett serve on this Committee. Find more information, including committee agendas, at: www.falmouthme.org/comprehensive-plan-update. In addition, the Town has contracted with BerryDunn to provide technical assistance and engagement strategies throughout the process.
Project Website |
To keep residents informed and encourage engagement, a new project website has been created which will outline opportunities to get involved and provide detailed information on the planning process as we move forward. Find the new website here. The website includes interactive elements such as a Vision Board, an Interactive Map, and a place to sign up for updates delivered via email.
Opportunities for Engagement |
We need you!
The Town of Falmouth recognizes the importance of a thoughtful and engaged community in developing and implementing a successful update to the Comprehensive Plan and is planning a robust engagement process to enlist community feedback. Your input is critical! Residents, business owners, community organizations, local leaders, regional agencies, and schools can all play a part. There will be multiple opportunities to be involved and provide input on the future of your community, including the newly developed engagement website, in-person events, and virtual meetings.The intent of this engagement process is to continue the community-wide conversation about the future of Falmouth that began during the Town's Vision & Values Project, and to provide opportunities for more thorough discussion of issues and challenges raised during the visioning process.
Kickoff Event, Tuesday, April 11
We will hold a Kickoff Event on Tuesday, April 11 from 7:00-8:30pm at the Falmouth Elementary School Cafeteria, 58 Woodville Road. Join us to learn more about the project and join the discussion.
Save These Dates!
Additional workshop dates have been set to explore specific topics in greater detail. All events will be held at the Elementary School Cafeteria, 58 Woodville Road. Mark your calendars and join us!
- May 3, 2023--Workshop 1: People & Community
- May 24, 2023--Workshop 2: The Natural Environment
- June 7, 2023--Workshop 3: The Built Environment
Town of Falmouth, 271 Falmouth Road, Falmouth, ME 04105 |
