FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOut Door Room

February 6, 2008

CONTACT: James Fisher
Hancock County Planning Commission
395 State Street
Ellsworth, ME 04605
jfisher@hcpcme.org
667-7131 (Voice)
667-2099 (Fax)

Hancock County Workshop: Linking Local Land Use and Transportation

Date: Monday, March 31, 2008 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Location: Ellsworth City Hall, 2nd floor

The Hancock County Planning Commission will host a workshop on local government strategies for linking economic development, land use and transportation. Persons attending will learn about new state programs and policies supporting better coordination between economic development, land use and transportation efficiency. Two speakers will lead off the evening.

Kat Fuller, Chief of Transportation System Planning, Bureau of Transportation System Planning, MaineDOT will unveil a new municipal guidebook for strategic transportation planning. The municipal guide, in draft form titled Good Moves or Good Move is available online at www.hcpcme.org/transportation/stpa. "This handbook has two purposes:

  1. Provide local planners with the information they need to prepare Transportation Plans that are consistent with the State’s Sensible Transportation Policy Act and rule and the transportation element of the State’s Growth Management Program; and
  2. Provide practical guidance to help municipalities prepare sound transportation standards and strategies that fit well with local zoning, subdivision, and site plan review ordinances." (Good Moves, 2008)

Stacy Benjamin, Land Use Program Director, Maine State Planning Office will provide an overview of recent changes to Maine's Growth Management laws. She will give a hands-on demonstration of the new Self-Assessment Checklist for comprehensive planning. This document provides towns with a clear list of considerations for comprehensive planning and land use ordinances.

There will be time at the end of the program for questions and answers. Light refreshments will be served. This workshop is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to hcpc@hcpcme.org so that we can prepare sufficient handouts.

Please contact James Fisher at jfisher@hcpcme.org or 667-7131 for more information.