Framework for Next Comprehensive Plan Update (2030)
Comprehensive Plan Updates · 2 pages · 397 words · all documents · the town's PDF →
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2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028 Town Planner/GPCOG Energy
Ag Commission/MFT Agriculture Town Planner/GPCOG Economic
Development COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Planning Board/Town Planner PHASE 1:
PHASE 2:
Research Codification Future Land Use Plan
Visioning / Public Participation Policy Goals & Strategies Planning Board/Town Planner Housing Select Board/Consultant Community Facilities Cons Commission/GPCOG
STRATEGIC COORDINATION OF DURHAM PLANNING PROJECTS
Open Space JULY 2025
Memo: Strategic Vision for Durham’s Planning Process • Sand and gravel aquifer as potential semi-public water source.
This memo outlines a strategic planning vision for Durham’s • Limited residential developments.
upcoming two-phase Comprehensive Plan update. The plan • Aim to broaden the tax base and reduce burden on
integrates seven key planning tracks currently underway and aims residential/agricultural taxpayers.
to align community goals with state growth management
requirements: 4. Codification
1. Alternative Energy • The Land Use Plan will be revised in a digitized format with
technical updates to address errors & legal issues.
2. Agriculture
3. Economic Development • Fourteen minor policy issues will clarify & streamline existing
administrative processes.
4. Codification
5. Housing 5. Housing
6. Community Facilities • State mandates require higher-density zoning to improve
7. Open Space & Conservation housing affordability.
• The Town must reconsider its rural preservation goals tied to
Key Planning Initiatives large-lot zoning and low-density housing.
1. Alternative Energy 6. Community Facilities
• Performance standards recently enacted for solar farms and • Existing facilities are undersized, strained, and in need of
battery energy storage facilities. significant investment.
• Two major power corridors are available. • Growth and housing mandates will increase service demands.
• The Conservation Commission analyzed optimal facility 7. Open Space & Conservation
locations and revenue opportunities.
• State grant awarded for a resiliency and conservation plan.
2. Agriculture
• Goal to guide sustainable growth while protecting natural
• Agricultural Commission formed to modernize outdated resources and open space.
regulations.
• Focus on agritourism and innovative agricultural development. Coordinated Planning Process
Public participation in the 2026–2027 Comprehensive Plan phase
• Collaboration with Maine Farmland Trust and State
Department of Agriculture. will gather input from all these planning tracks. Findings will
inform the second phase of the Comprehensive Plan in 2027–
3. Economic Development 2028. Coordination ensures continuity, realistic goals, and
• Concept for a special economic development district combining alignment with community values and State growth management
agriculture and energy assets. requirements.
• Powerline access.
• Natural resource-based facilities.Source: strategic_planning_vision_durham_memo-1.pdf on durhammaine.gov. Text extracted with pdftotext; no wording has been corrected.