Frequently Asked Questions

A comprehensive plan is an official document that articulates a community’s vision for its future physical, social, and economic character. It identifies key issues and opportunities, sets long-term goals, and outlines strategies to achieve those goals. The plan guides decisions on public investment and capital improvements, ensuring they reflect the community’s values and priorities. It also serves as a legally defensible foundation for ordinances, policies, and land use regulations by providing a consistent and publicly supported framework for municipal action.

A comprehensive plan typically includes:

• Community Vision
• Public Engagement
• Data Inventory and Analysis
• Future Land Use
• Regional Coordination
• Implementation: Goals, Objectives, and Strategies

What are the benefits of a comprehensive plan? 

Communities complete Comprehensive Plans for a variety of reasons. At their most basic level, communities complete Comprehensive Plans to prepare for the future. A comprehensive review of community issues and policies promotes discussion among neighbors and can help communities avoid problems that sometimes occur when community decisions are made in a piecemeal fashion.

Municipalities in Maine are not required to adopt a Comprehensive Plan. However, a municipal comprehensive plan provides a legal basis for writing and enacting land use ordinances. Without a legal basis, land use ordinances can be challenged in court. 

Once accepted by the State, Comprehensive Plans are valid for 12 years. Once your plan hits the 10-year mark, consider launching a comprehensive plan update process as most comprehensive planning processes will take 1-2 years from start to finish.

Comprehensive planning is a community driven process requiring dedicated volunteers to serve on a comprehensive planning committee. It is typical for the process to take place over an 18 to 24 month period. 

Most municipalities work with a consultant to assist with the development of some or all elements of a Comprehensive Plan. The cost of developing a Comprehensive Plan varies depending on: 

• the size of the community,
• the complexity of community issues,
• the scope of services for which your community is hiring a consultant, and
• whether the town has an existing Comprehensive Plan or starting from scratch. 

 

There are several good resources available to assist citizen committees in developing Comprehensive Plans. The amount of work required to complete all the required elements for a Comprehensive Plan to be found consistent with the Growth Management Act is substantial and preparation of some of the required elements involves both technical skills (such as GIS mapping) and familiarity with applicable state laws.

In Maine, a comprehensive plan is not mandatory for a municipality. However, choosing not to create or update a comprehensive plan results in specific limitations and potential drawbacks related to land use control and access to state funding. 

• Vulnerability of Land Use Ordinances: Without a state-accepted, consistent comprehensive plan, a municipality's land use ordinances (beyond the state minimum for shoreland zoning) can be legally challenged in court. 
• Limited Regulatory Power: A town cannot legally enact certain advanced land use controls, such as: 
  • Zoning ordinances that go beyond the state minimum for shoreland zoning.
  • Impact fee ordinances.
  • Rate of growth or building cap ordinances. 
• Reduced Access to State Grants and Loans: Many state grant and loan programs either require or give priority/incentives (e.g., priority points) to communities with a current, state-approved comprehensive plan. Municipalities may miss out on significant funding opportunities for major projects, such as capital investments, infrastructure projects, and conservation efforts. 
• Less Local Control: Municipalities with state-consistent plans generally have more control over how state agencies undertake projects within their town's boundaries. 
• Piecemeal Decision Making: The absence of a long-term, community-wide vision can lead to "piecemeal" decision-making on land use and development issues, potentially resulting in inefficient growth and unforeseen problems.

In essence, while not legally required, a comprehensive plan is a foundational document that provides the legal justification for local land use management and opens doors to various state resources and funding opportunities.