Comprehensive Planning
What is Comprehensive Planning?
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
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 typically recommended for the process to take place over an 18 to 24 month period.
Most municipalities in Hancock County 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.
Municipalities can and do develop a Comprehensive Plan wholly or mostly on their own. There are a number of good resources available to assist citizen committees in developing Comprehensive Plans. The amount of work required to complete all of 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.
Comprehensive Planning Workshop (October 2023)
Overview of Comprehensive Planning in Maine. Hosted by the Hancock County Planning Commission and presented by Tom Miragliuolo, Municipal Planning Assistance Program, Jim Fisher, Town of Deer Isle and HCPC Executive Board, Averi Varney, HCPC, and Kathleen Billings, Town of Stonington.
