The Town Council will hold a public hearing at the Monday, July 17, 2023 council meeting on the proposed amendments to Chapter 19 Zoning Ordinance.  The amendments aim to comply with LD 2003, "An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Commission to Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions" and to amend draft amendments to reduce the maximum square feet for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) from 1800 sq. ft. to 1100 sq. ft.    The council set the amendments to public hearing on June 12, with the anticipation that a vote would not occur at the same meeting.

Originally, LD 2003 required that all municipalities come into compliance by July 1, 2023.  However, with the signing of LD 1706  on June 16, a January 1, 2024 extension was granted to, "Municipalities for which ordinances may be enacted by municipal officers without further action or approval by the voters of the municipality."  

Following a public hearing for ordinance amendments, next steps may include referral back to committee (e.g. Ordinance, Planning Board), refer to Council workshop, schedule a vote for another meeting, schedule another public hearing.  

To view the agenda for the July 17 meeting or access documents pertaining to this agenda item, CLICK HERE.  To review the process by which the Town Council has followed since LD 2003 was enacted on April 27, 2022, please visit the Town's LD 2003 webpage.