2015 Comprehensive Plan Update Town of Boothbay

Transcription

1 2015 Cmprehensive Plan Update Twn f Bthbay March 2, 2015

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Intrductin... i Chapter 1: Past Planning Activities...1 Chapter 2: Prfile f Recent Develpment...7 Chapter 3: Overview f Updated Inventries Chapter 4: Cmmunity Visin Chapter 5: Cmmunity Gals and Plicies Chapter 6: Land Use Gals and Plicies Chapter 7: Reginal Crdinatin Chapter 8: Implementatin Strategy Chapter 9: Capital Investment Strategy Appendix A: Updated Inventries Appendix B: Capital Imprvement Plan Appendix C: Summary f Public Invlvement Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update 2015

3 INTRODUCTION The Twn s current cmprehensive plan was adpted in 1989 fllwing a perid f smewhat rapid develpment and change in the cmmunity. The Twn has used the 1989 plan as the basis fr its zning fr almst 25 years. The passage f time and changes in the Twn and the Bthbay regin have made much f the plan ut-f-date and a less than useful guide in managing the future f Bthbay. Therefre the Twn has prepared this update f the Cmprehensive Plan t serve as a guide fr the decisins the Twn must make abut grwth, develpment, redevelpment, and change ver the cming decade. The 2015 Plan is a cmplete review f the plicy issues facing ur cmmunity and addresses emerging issues as well as prviding a fresh lk at nging issues. The 2015 Plan is divided int three parts. Sectin A presents backgrund infrmatin. Chapter 1 summarizes the key elements f the 1989 Plan and utlines sme recent planning activities that impact the Twn f Bthbay. Chapter 2 cntains a detailed prfile f the past nine plus years f residential develpment activity in Bthbay. Chapter 3 ffers summaries f the Plan s inventry sectins. Full versins f the inventries are cntained in Appendix A. Sectin B f the Plan sets ut the Cmprehensive Plan s visin, gals, and plicy recmmendatins. Chapter 4 sets ut the cmmunity s Visin fr its future what we want ur twn t be in ten r s years. Chapter 5 presents gals and plicies fr addressing issues facing the cmmunity related t all plan elements aside frm land use. Chapter 6 cntains gals and plicies fr land use, including a Future Land Use Plan and a visin and detailed summaries f preferred use and develpment patterns fr each land use designatin identified in the Future Land Use Plan. Sectin C lays ut the actins needed t achieve the gals and plicies prpsed in Sectin B. Chapter 7 addressed hw Bthbay shuld crdinate its planning activities with neighbring municipalities and reginal rganizatins. Chapter 8 sets ut a detailed prgram fr carrying ut the varius strategies, and assigns respnsibility fr the implementatin f each strategy t a particular department, bard, r agency. Chapter 9 identifies the capital investments needed t bth supprt future grwth and develpment and t enhance the cmmunity s quality f life. The appendices t the Plan include the full inventries fr the varius Plan elements, the Twn s capital spending plan, and a summary f public participatin in the develpment f the Plan. The Cmprehensive Plan is intended t cnfrm t the requirements f the State s Grwth Management Law fr cmprehensive plans. The state has established guidelines fr Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update 2015 i

4 cmprehensive plans t guide cmmunities in the develpment f lcal plans. The guidelines call fr the plan t be develped thrugh the active participatin f the cmmunity. They layut the recmmended cntents f a plan including inventries f a wide range f factrs abut the cmmunity, gal and plicies t address these varius tpics, a Future Land Use Plan t manage the anticipated grwth and develpment in the cmmunity, and an implementatin strategy setting ut hw the prpsals will be carried ut alng with cnsideratin f reginal cncerns and the capital spending necessary t implement the plan. The Table f Cntents fr this Plan reflects these requirements. While state apprval f the Twn s Cmprehensive Plan is nt required, there is a prcess fr the vluntary review f the plan by the state. If the Twn s plan is fund t be cnsistent with the state guidelines, there are sme benefits fr the Twn including preferential treatment fr sme state grant prgrams. In additin, as prvided by state law, the Cmprehensive Plan, when adpted by Twn Meeting, serves as the basis fr the Twn s zning and land use regulatins. Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update 2015 ii

5 Sectin A Backgrund Infrmatin Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update 2015

6 CHAPTER 1: PAST PLANNING ACTIVITIES The Twn s majr planning dcument is the Cmprehensive Plan that was prepared in the late 1980s. Since the preparatin f the 1989 Plan, the Twn has had limited invlvement in twnwide planning activities. In 2002, a cnsultant prepared a study f the Rute 27 crridr thrugh Edgecmb, Bthbay, and Bthbay Harbr. Recently there have been sme transprtatin studies dne by the Lincln Cunty planning ffice that include recmmendatins relative t the Twn. The Lincln Cunty Reginal Planning Cmmissin and the Maine Gelgical Survey cmpleted the Lincln Cunty Sea Level Rise Castal Hazard Study. The fllwing sectins prvide brief verviews f these plans and studies. In additin, the Bthbay Regin Water District, an independent public utility that serves the Twn, has develped a master plan fr its facilities. A Cmprehensive Plan The Twn s 1989 Cmprehensive Plan was develped by a vlunteer Cmprehensive Plan Cmmittee. The plan is a mix f lng-range planning cnsideratins and very specific rdinance type prpsals. As part f the planning prcess, the Cmmittee cnducted a survey f bth year-rund and seasnal residents with a very high rate f participatin (a ttal f 651 surveys were cmpleted with abut 60% frm year-rund residents and 40% frm seasnal residents). The results frm the survey are included in the plan. The plan includes the fllwing cnclusins frm the cmmunity survey: There is a remarkable degree f unanimity (lack f cntrversy) in the public pinin expressed in the survey. Bth residents and nn-residents felt strngly that the twn shuld prtect the grundwater frm cntaminatin (the mst strngly held pinin). Residents felt strngly (ranked third) that at least sme prtin f the shre land shuld be preserved fr marine-related activities, whereas nn-residents als agreed.... Nn-residents were much mre strngly in favr f prtecting residential areas frm nnresidential develpment.... The cntrversial issue was whether r nt the twn shuld prmte new turist facilities. Opinin amng residents was mixed, but the average pinin was negative, whereas amng nn-residents, the average pinin was psitive. The survey als included questins abut water supply. Respndents wh reprted getting their water frm drilled wells were asked a series f additinal questins. Here are a few highlights frm the results: Just under half (323 respndents) reprted getting their water frm a drilled well Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

7 Of the peple with a drilled well, just ver 5% reprted it had gne dry primarily in July and August Almst 7% reprted that they had had a well turn salty but this was spread ver a 30 year perid The 1989 Cmprehensive Plan included a set f Cmmunity Land Use Gals. These gals were established t guide the Twn in the develpment f its Cmprehensive Plan. The fllwing are the highlights f thse gals (see Pages in the Plan fr the full language). Fr each gal, the Plan lays ut appraches fr achieving that gal. A. Small Twn Character As the cmmunity grws, the Twn shuld assure that the small twn, rural character f Bthbay is maintained. B. Residential Uses The Twn shuld manage residential develpment in the cmmunity t assure that it is a psitive additin t the cmmunity and is in keeping with the rural character f the cmmunity. C. Marine Related Activities As change ccurs in Bthbay, the Twn shuld prmte the retentin f traditinal marine related activities such as fishing, shell fishing, bat building, and marine supply and service. D. Cmmercial and Industrial The Twn shuld allw the retentin, expansin and creatin f small scale cmmercial/industrial enterprises which wuld prvide year rund emplyment pprtunities fr lcal peple. E. Grundwater Prtectin As grwth ccurs, the Twn shuld assure that bth the quality and quantity f grundwater are prtected t assure adequate future water supplies. F. Envirnmental Prtectin The Twn shuld preserve the quality f life and Bthbay s envirnment. The Plan includes a review f varius land use management techniques and their applicability t Bthbay. It als includes recmmendatins fr the fllwing Ordinance administratin including the appintment f a Cde Enfrcement Officer General standards dealing with zning interpretatins and nn-cnfrmance Allwed uses in varius zning districts Regulatin f residential uses including density, pen space preservatin, quality f develpment, cnversin f seasnal prperty, hmes n under-sized lts, large-scale uses, mbile hmes, and grandfathered lts Develpment standards fr the varius residential znes including the General Residential District and Special Residential District The establishment f cmmercial/industrial znes including a cmmercialindustrial crridr alng Rute 27 including detailed prvisins fr site plan review Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

8 The management f shre lands including the creatin f a Shreland Prtectin District and a Resurce Prtectin District The treatment f cnditinal uses Prvisins fr cluster develpment Standards fr the apprval f subdivisins The current Cmprehensive Plan Cmmittee reviewed the 1989 Cmprehensive Plan. As a result f that review, the Cmmittee made the fllwing general bservatins abut the 1989 Plan: 1. In general, the gals and plicies are dated and many things have changed ver the past twenty-five years. Sme f the areas have been addressed (Cde Enfrcement, Fire Department facility, plice prtectin, island prtectin, etc.). 2. Sme f the recmmendatins are t specific fr a cmprehensive plan and are essentially rdinance language. 3. Sme f the recmmendatins are t cnditinal and d nt really prvide slid directin fr what the Twn shuld d. 4. Many f the recmmendatins are vague and dn t prvide much directin they were characterized as white nise. 5. The general sense frm the review is that the recmmendatins f the 1989 Plan prvide little direct plicy guidance that shuld be carried ver int discussins f the new plan. At the same time, the review f the 1989 Cmprehensive Plan identified a number f specific tpics r issues that need t be cnsidered in the new cmprehensive plan. The fllwing is a summary f thse tpics/issues: 1. The issue f residential lt sizes is a key area that needs t be addressed. The plan needs t balance envirnmental cnsideratins (grundwater prtectin, shreland, etc.) with husing affrdability. 2. Related t 1 is the questin f whether any type f cluster r pen space subdivisin prvisins makes sense t include in the new plan. 3. The whle area f water supply public and grundwater is an area n which the plan needs t fcus. This includes supply fr the public system, prtectin f the current surces, and prtectin f grundwater quality and quantity. Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

9 4. The shreland zning requirements with respect t standards such as setbacks vis-à-vis the state minimums needs attentin. 5. Land preservatin/pen space is an imprtant cncern but lking at private vs. public invlvement might be useful. 6. While there are limited histric prperties in the twn, lking at the verall questin f hw we keep the visual envirnment attractive is imprtant. Maintaining a New England village character is an issue. 7. Educatin is a pririty! 8. Management f the harbrs is an issue but the Prt Cmmittee and Harbrmaster are dealing with these issues. 9. As nted in 1 and 2, balancing residential develpment and the quality f life and envirnmental prtectin is a majr tpic that verlaps many f the ther tpics (grundwater prtectin, aging ppulatin, educatin, pen space, etc.) 10. Related t this is increasing the diversity f husing available in the cmmunity. 11. Hme ccupatins and what is r is nt apprpriate is an issue that the plan needs t address frm a plicy perspective. 12. Cmmercial grwth that is apprpriate fr Bthbay is a key issue this includes the treatment f and visin fr the Rute 27 crridr and the expansin f jb pprtunities in the cmmunity. 13. Licensed verbard discharges are a cncern that needs t be addressed. 14. The management f seasnal cnversins als needs t be addressed. B. State Rute 27 Crridr Study (2002) In 2002, Milne & MacBrm prepared a study f the Rute 27 crridr thrugh Edgecmb, Bthbay, and Bthbay Harbr. The study analyzed the existing cnditins in the crridr, explred alternative treatments fr varius areas f the crridr, and made recmmendatins fr land use strategies, general crridr imprvements, and specific transprtatin imprvements. Within the Twn f Bthbay, the study fcused n tw areas, the Railway Village area and the Cmmn. The study als reviewed the Twn s land use regulatins and fund tw areas in which the rdinances are lacking, parking requirements and site Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

10 develpment standards. The study als explred pssibilities fr imprved bicycle facilities including ff-rad trails. The study includes a series f land use recmmendatins including lcating parking behind the frnt wall f the building, limiting curb cuts and encuraging shared access, revising parking requirements, upgrading strmwater management requirements, enhancing landscaping and streetscape requirements, prviding pedestrian amenities, requiring better plans fr develpment prpsals, and imprving the regulatin f signs in the crridr. In terms f transprtatin imprvements, the study recmmends traffic patterns in the vicinity f the Cmmns be revised. The recmmendatins include cnstructing a rundabut at Back River Rad, realigning Back River Rad and Crey Lane, cnverting Cmmn Drive t a neway street, installing sidewalks and pedestrian crssings, and realigning the Chapel Street intersectin. C. Midcast Rute 27 Crridr Management Plan (2012) In 2012, the Lincln Cunty Reginal Planning Cmmissin prepared a management plan fr the Midcast Rute 27 Crridr. This plan has been endrsed by the Bthbay Bard f Selectmen. The Plan makes a number f recmmendatins t imprve mbility and safety in the Rute 27 crridr within the Twn f Bthbay. These recmmendatins include: Mdifying Cmmn Drive t make it ne-way and adding sidewalks and angled parking Cnducting a traffic study f Bthbay Center frm the Clipper Mart t the sutherly end f Cmmn Drive Adding turning lanes at Industrial Rad, Hardwick Rad, and River Rad Adding radside landscaping Realigning, regarding and imprving sight distance at the Hardwick Rad intersectin Imprving sight distance at Industrial Rad Reducing the width f the access at Dave s AG (nw T&D Variety) Widening the pavement fr bike and pedestrian use frm Bthbay Cmmn t Hardwick Rad Realigning and imprving the safety at bth Adams Rad intersectins These recmmendatins shuld be included in the new cmprehensive plan where apprpriate. Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

11 D. Bthbay-Bthbay Harbr Bicycle-Pedestrian Plan (2012) In 2012, the Bthbay-Bthbay Harbr Bicycle-Pedestrian Cmmittee prepared a bike/ped plan fr the tw cmmunities with assistance frm Rbert Faunce, the Lincln Cunty Planner. This plan was endrsed by the Bthbay Bard f Selectmen. The Plan makes a number f recmmendatins fr imprvements in the Twn f Bthbay. These include: Extending the sidewalk alng Rute 27 frm the YMCA t Bthbay Cmmn Cnstructing paved shulders n the prtins f Rute 96 between Rute 27 and East Bthbay that d nt currently have paved shulders Cnstructing paved shulders where pssible and prviding imprved signage n Rute 96 between East Bthbay and Ocean Pint Develping n ff-rad multiuse path fr pedestrians and bicyclists between the YMCA/schl cmplex n Rute 27 and the Castal Maine Btanical Gardens Installing pedestrian imprvements at the Bthbay Cmmn intersectin based upn a MeDOT traffic study and imprvement plan fr the entire Cmmns area Expanding the paved shulder n Rute 27 t a minimum f fur feet frm Bthbay Center t the Edgecmb twn line These recmmendatins shuld be included in the new cmprehensive plan where apprpriate. E. Lincln Cunty Sea Level Rise Castal Hazard Study (2013) The Lincln Cunty Reginal Planning Cmmissin and the Maine Gelgical Survey cnducted the Lincln Cunty Sea Level Rise Castal Hazard Study. The purpse f the study was t determine the ptential impacts f increasing sea level n the cunty s 450 miles f tidal shreland. The study mdeled the impacts f 10 different sea level rise scenaris ranging frm 1 ft ver highest annual tide (HAT) nw experienced t 6 feet ver HAT and scenaris cnsidering the additinal impacts with the histrical strm f recrd, the February 1987 strm which resulted in the highest Stillwater levels alng the Maine cast. The study prepared a series f maps shwing the areas f Bthbay (as well as ther cunty castal cmmunities) that wuld be inundated under the varius scenaris including the ptential depths f inundatin. The study identified tw areas, prtins f East Bthbay and the Samset Trail area, as being mst susceptible t pssible inundatin. The study als identifies the Twn s public facilities, primarily rads, that wuld be impacted under the varius scenaris f sea level rise. The infrmatin frm this study shuld be reviewed and used in the develpment f plicies and actins t address the pssibility f future sea level rise. Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

12 CHAPTER 2: PROFILE OF RECENT DEVELOPMENT This chapter prvides an verview f residential develpment activity in the Twn f Bthbay between 2005 and April 1 f This nine plus year perid cvers the timeframe in which the Twn has accurate recrds f develpment activity frm the assessr s database. Prir t 2005, the infrmatin n develpment is nt reliable. The 2005 t 2014 perid includes three phases f the ecnmic cycle: was the 3-year pre-recessin perid during which residential cnstructin was very active in Bthbay and thrughut the MidCast was 3-year perid f the ecnmic recessin during which residential cnstructin thrughut Maine declined dramatically was the 3+ year perid during which residential cnstructin in sme areas started t rebund A. Amunt f Residential Develpment Over this perid f 2005 t 2014, a ttal f 238 dwelling units were built in Bthbay. Mst f these units were single-family hmes but there were a few duplexes and ne 4-unit cnd prject built during this perid. Table 2-1 prvides a year-by-year breakdwn f the number f units built as well as the ttal assessed value and the average size f the units. In 2005 and 2006, 77 and 41 units were cnstructed respectively. These units added almst $33 millin t the Twn s tax base. Cnstructin drpped t a lw f 4 new units in Interestingly, the average size f new dwelling units increased significantly thrugh 2008 when the recessin hit the husing market and has drpped since then. Table 2-2 lks at the level f residential develpment based n the three 3-year perids discussed abve. During the pre-recessin perid, Bthbay was seeing an average f almst 44 new units added per year. During the recessin years f , the average drpped t abut 21 new units per year althugh 2008 saw significantly mre cnstructin than the fllwing tw years pssibly reflecting units that were in the pipeline as the husing market cllapsed. Interestingly, Bthbay has seen very limited cnstructin f new husing since 2011, except fr The average fr the 2011 t 2014 perid has been nly 13.5 units per year Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

13 Table 2-1 Yearly Residential Cnstructin Year Units Built Ttal Value f Imprvements (nt land) Ttal Square Feet Built (Living Area) $21,404, ,223 1, $11,271,500 80,817 1, $4,309,500 25,617 1, $8,534,500 60,232 2, $4,259,900 36,719 1, $3,791,300 26,757 1, $469,700 4,260 1, $5,680,200 44,795 1, $2,534,500 15,775 1, (part) 5 $636,400 6,724 1,345 Year Units Built Table 2-2 Residential Cnstructin by Perids Ttal Value f Imprvements (nt land) Ttal Square Feet Built (Living Area) $36,985, ,657 1, $16,585, ,708 1, $9,320,800 71,554 1,590 Avg. Sq. Ft per unit Avg. Sq. Ft per unit B. Pattern f Residential Develpment Figure 2-1 shws the lcatin f the 238 new dwelling units cnstructed in Bthbay between 2005 and April 1, 2014 by the three 3-year time perids. Tw things stand ut when lking at this figure: Residential develpment was dispersed thrughut the entire twn with n significant cncentratins f units in any ne area. Mst residential develpment appears t be ccurring n a lt-by-lt basis r in small subdivisins with little, if any, develpment is in larger subdivisins r ther residential develpments. Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

14 Figure 2-1 Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

15 CHAPTER 3: OVERVIEW OF UPDATED INVENTORIES Understanding the current situatin in Bthbay with respect t bth the natural and built envirnments is essential in planning fr the future f the cmmunity. Similarly, understanding hw the cmmunity has been changing ver the past years prvides a cntext within which t cnsider the future f Bthbay. Appendix A cntain thirteen inventries that lk at varius aspects f Bthbay ranging frm the Twn s demgraphic characteristics t its natural and marine resurces t the Twn s fiscal situatin. The inventries are intended t prvide a factual, bjective lk at the cmmunity t allw thughtful decisins t be made abut the future f Bthbay. This chapter prvides a brief verview f each f thse inventries and identifies issues and implicatins that need t be addressed in the gals and plicies f this plan. A. Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

16 Sectin B Gals and Plicies Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

17 CHAPTER 4: COMMUNITY VISION A key element f the Twn s Cmprehensive Plan is the Cmmunity Visin. The Visin sets ut a picture f what we want Bthbay t be in the future. The Visin is intended t set an verall directin fr the future f the cmmunity. The bjectives and actins f the Plan prvide the specific guidance fr what the Twn and larger cmmunity shuld be ding t mve in the directin f the Visin. The Cmprehensive Plan Cmmittee went thrugh a systematic prcess t develp the fllwing Visin fr Bthbay in The cmmittee brainstrmed the ideas that they thugh shuld be part f the visin. Based n thse ideas, the cmmittee develped a draft f a cmmunity visin that was rewrked and refined. In July f 2013, the cmmittee held a cmmunity frum that was attended by abut 45 residents. At the frum, the participants reviewed and critiqued the draft f the visin and prvided the cmmittee with substantial feedback. Based n that input, the cmmittee substantially revised the visin fr the future f ur cmmunity. Here is ur visin fr Bthbay in Our Visin fr Bthbay in 2025 Bthbay is an integral part f the Bthbay Regin, a grup f separate cmmunities that wrk tgether t develp and advance a shared visin fr the regin. While each f the varius cmmunities retains its wn character, the fur municipalities n the peninsula, tgether with the adjacent Rute One twns cllabrate with a gal f crdinated grwth and develpment and shared services. Bthbay cntinues t be a true castal Maine cmmunity that maintains its character by encuraging activities traditinal t the Bthbay regin as well as well-managed new develpment. Rute 27 remains an attractive, safe, rural gateway t the cmmunity. We welcme grwth and develpment and require that it be in keeping with the traditinal character f Bthbay. Grwth is balanced with the capacity f the natural resurces t supprt additinal develpment. Our lcal infrastructure supprts develpment in designated areas f the cmmunity while ur develpment regulatins balance prtectin f the character and envirnment f ur cmmunity with the desire fr sustainable grwth. These regulatins are clear and understandable and fster develpment that is a lng-term asset t the cmmunity. Bthbay is a diverse cmmunity bth scially and ecnmically. The Twn welcmes peple frm all walks f life. We are bth a year-rund and seasnal cmmunity in which peple wrk in a variety f ccupatins and industries. T encurage this diversity, the cmmunity ffers a range f husing bth in terms f price and type. Our spectacular natural resurces are an Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

18 integral part f the cmmunity s ecnmy and attract bth residents and visitrs t ur cmmunity. Grwing ecnmic pprtunities make it pssible fr mre peple t live and wrk in Bthbay. The Twn wrks in partnership with businesses and nn-prfit rganizatins t supprt sustainable ecnmic grwth in the cmmunity and the Bthbay Regin. The Bthbay schl system is a vibrant, innvative envirnment that allws all students t learn at the peak f their abilities. The schls inspire their students t excel and wrk t fster a relevant and meaningful educatin including vcatinal and experiential pprtunities fr all students. Bthbay ffers pprtunities fr a rewarding, engaging lifestyle. Bthbay ffers a wide range f cultural, recreatinal, and vlunteer pprtunities fr residents and visitrs. Cultural activities and the arts flurish making Bthbay and the Bthbay Regin a cultural destinatin. The existing neighbrhds within the Twn, as well as ther areas, have evlved as villages that may be accessed by a variety f mdes f transprtatin. Paths fr walking and biking and expanded public transit link these villages and destinatins thrughut the entire peninsula. This is ur visin fr the future f Bthbay. The visin is nt static and it is subject t updating and revisin as circumstances warrant. The key is that the visin is develped by and reflects the Bthbay cmmunity t guide cperative and inclusive interactin between the public, and ur elected fficials and appinted bards and cmmissins. Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

19 CHAPTER 5: COMMUNITY GOALS AND POLICIES The Cmprehensive Plan is designed t be a guide in directing grwth, develpment, and change in the Twn f Bthbay ver the cming decade and beynd. The bjectives and actins set frth in this chapter address the issues facing the Twn except fr the area f land use. Chapter Six addresses the Twn s land use bjectives and plicies. Fr each issue area, this chapter establishes recmmendatins fr the basic directin that the Twn shuld achieve thrugh its municipal prgrams, regulatins, and expenditures. Lcal bjectives and prpsed actins t achieve thse bjectives are established fr each f the areas cvered in the Inventry and Analysis sectins in the appendices. In sme cases, actins are repeated r referenced since they apply t mre than ne bjective r tpic. Fr each issue area, the relevant state gal r gals frm the state s Grwth Management Prgram that guides municipal cmprehensive planning is included. A. Ppulatin and Demgraphics Over the past twenty plus years, Bthbay has experienced steady grwth in its year-rund ppulatin frm 2,648 residents in 1990 t 3,120 in 2010 (see Appendix A). This grwth has been driven by in-migratin int the cmmunity. During this perid, the number f year-rund husehlds increased by almst a third while the size f the average husehld decreased by ver 10% t 2.25 peple per husehld. Over 70% f year-rund husehlds nw include nly ne r tw peple. Since 1990, the number f yung peple in the cmmunity under 25 has drpped by almst 15% while thse adults between 25 and 44 decreased by ver 30%. At the same time, Bthbay saw majr grwth in its ppulatin aged (75%) and 65 and ver (90%). As a result, the median age f Bthbay residents increased frm 38.1 years in 1990 t 51.7 years in State Gal: T encurage rderly grwth and develpment in apprpriate areas f each cmmunity, while prtecting the State s rural character, making efficient use f public services and preventing develpment sprawl. (Grwth Management Act) Pursuant t this gal, the Twn f Bthbay s lcal bjectives and related actins are: Objective A.1 Maintain the diversity f Bthbay s ppulatin Actin A.1-1. Revise the land use regulatins t allw the cnstructin f multi-unit husing in designated areas at apprpriate densities (see the Future Land use Plan in Chapter 6) t increase the range f husing available in the cmmunity. Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

20 Actin A.1-2. Increase the number f gd-quality, year-rund jbs in the cmmunity and Bthbay Regin (see the Lcal Ecnmy sectin fr the specific actins t accmplish this). Objective A.2 Increase the attractiveness f Bthbay as a place fr yunger peple and husehlds t live Actin A.2-1. Revise the land use regulatins t allw smaller lt sizes and higher densities fr residential units in areas that are r can be served by bth the public sewer system and the year-rund water system. Actin A.2-2. Supprt the prvisin f recreatinal facilities and prgrams fr children, families and adults (see Recreatin and Open Space fr additinal details). Actin A.2-3. Supprt effrts by the Bthbay-Bthbay Harbr schl system t prvide a vibrant, innvative envirnment that allws all students t learn at the peak f their abilities and t cntinue t adpt innvative educatinal appraches (see the Educatin sectin fr mre details). Actin A.2-4. Increase the number f gd-quality, year-rund jbs in the cmmunity and Bthbay Regin (see the Lcal Ecnmy sectin fr the specific actins t accmplish this). B. Lcal Ecnmy Bthbay has a very diverse ecnmy fr a cmmunity f its size. Accrding t data frm the State f Maine, all Bthbay businesses taken tgether emply a year-rund average f apprximately 750 peple with higher emplyment during the summer seasn. These jbs are spread acrss a number f industries including bat building, cmmercial fishing, marine services, marine research, hspitality, cnstructin, and supprt services fr summer residents. Bthbay is bth a jb center and a bedrm cmmunity. Less than a third f the jbs in Bthbay are held by Bthbay residents with the rest are filled by peple wh cmmute int twn while apprximately 80% f emplyed Bthbay residents cmmute ut f the Twn f Bthbay fr wrk. State Gal: T prmte an ecnmic climate that increases jb pprtunities and verall ecnmic well-being. (Grwth Management Act) Pursuant t this gal, the Twn f Bthbay s lcal bjectives and related actins are: Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

21 Objective B.1 Create an envirnment that allws private businesses t increase the number f gd-quality, year-rund jbs in the cmmunity and larger regin Actin B.1-1. Review and revise the land use regulatins as necessary t assure that there is an adequate supply f apprpriately lcated and serviced land t accmmdate cmmercial and industrial develpment (see the Future Land use Plan in Chapter 6). Actin B.1-2. Cperate with prperty wners, develpers, and the water and sewer districts t prvide year-rund public water service and sewer service t new r expanded develpments that will create new, gd-quality, year-rund jbs including seeking grants and ther funding frm utside surces. Actin B.1-3. Cntinue t use innvative financing appraches such as tax increment financing and impact fees t help pay fr the cst f infrastructure imprvements needed fr new r expanded develpments that will create new, gd-quality, yearrund jbs. Actin B.1-4. Actively participate with Bthbay Harbr and reginal ecnmic develpment rganizatins in reginal prgrams t attract jbs t the regin. Actin B.1-5. Explre creating a small business assistance prgram that wuld help grwing businesses with financing and with lcating in apprpriate business districts. Objective B.2 Accmmdate hme ccupatins and hme businesses while minimizing their impacts n neighbring prperties Actin B.2-1. Revise the land use regulatins t clarify the treatment f lw-intensity hme ccupatins (currently called hme ccupatins, hmemaker/ffice) and mre intensive hme businesses (currently called hme ccupatins, ther) including establishing standards fr each type f use, with clear, bjective criteria. These criteria shuld be different fr the tw types f activities and shuld be tied t the scale f the business use and the nature r scpe f the activity. Actin B.2-2. Revise the standards fr lw-intensity hme ccupatins that are carried n entirely within a structure n a residential prperty and have little r n impacts n adjacent prperties and allw this use in all areas f the cmmunity with a simple administrative review prcess. Actin B.2-3. Revise the standards fr mre intensive hme businesses that include activities that are carried n utside f a structure n a residential prperty r that generate nise r cmmercial traffic r similar impacts. These uses shuld be allwed thrugh a planning bard review prcess in which the wner f the hme business must demnstrate that it will meet standards with bjective criteria fr minimizing the Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

22 impacts n the adjacent neighbrhd including prviding apprpriate buffering and maintaining the visual character f the radscape. Actin B.2-4. Explre creating a small business assistance prgram that wuld help grwing businesses, including hme businesses and hme ccupatins, with financing and with lcating in apprpriate cmmercial/industrial districts when apprpriate. Objective B.3 Prmte traditinal and emerging marine-related uses Actin B.3-1. Maintain, imprve and increase the public access pints and facilities used by cmmercial fisherman, lbstermen, and ther cmmercial marine interests as well as by recreatinal users. Actin B.3-2. Wrk with the Bthbay Regin Land Trust t prtect existing marinerelated facilities and places f public access t the water as well as t prvide new facilities and access pints t assure their availability fr future marine use by bth cmmercial and recreatinal users. Actin B.3-3. Review and revise the zning requirements, if necessary, t assure that they d nt create unreasnable barriers fr the cntinuatin f traditinal marine uses including but nt limited t the strage f flats, bait, traps and ther fishing gear and the rutine strage and maintenance f vessels. Actin B.3-4. Wrk with the Twn f Bthbay Harbr t explre the creatin f an ffshre Marine Enterprise Zne. This zne wuld be a designated area t facilitate the grwth f aquaculture and ther marine industries. The zne wuld be an area that is apprpriate fr these types f uses and that has minimal land-based cnflicts. Within the zne, federal, state, and lcal apprvals fr these types f uses wuld be sught in advance t encurage private peratrs t establish cmmercial peratins. Objective B.4 Supprt the cntinued ecnmic health and evlutin f the turist industry Actin B.4-1. Wrk with service prviders and the ther municipalities t assure that current and future Infrmatin Services (IT) including high-quality cell phne and highspeed Internet access are available thrughut the peninsula. Actin B.4-2. Actively supprt effrts t increase the peninsula s attractiveness as a 21 st Century turist destinatin by upgrading pedestrian and bicycling facilities linking key destinatins, prviding alternative transprtatin and parking, and accmmdating natural resurce and recreatin-based turist facilities. Actin B.4-3. Aggressively supprt effrts t imprve vehicular access t the Bthbay peninsula by reducing the impact f the Wiscasset bttleneck. In additin t supprting Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

23 effrts t imprve traffic flw thrugh/arund Wiscasset, this shuld include supprting effrts t divert thrugh traffic that des nt have a Mid-Cast destinatin frm the Rute One crridr by encuraging the use f alternative rutes such as I-295 and Rute 3. This effrt shuld include prviding real time traffic infrmatin t mtrists at key decisin pints such as Tpsham/Brunswick and Belfast. Actin B.4-4. Imprve traffic flw within the Bthbay peninsula including imprving the traffic pattern in the vicinity f the Cmmn and assuring accessibility fr public safety and emergency services. C. Husing Over the past twenty plus years, almst all f the new year-rund husing units created in Bthbay have been new single-family hmes r the cnversin f seasnal units t year-rund use. Husing has becme less affrdable which creates an ecnmic barrier fr peple wh wrk in Bthbay living here as well as fr attracting/retaining yung families wh want t live in the cmmunity. Limited diversity in husing creates a barrier fr lder peple wh n lnger want t, r cannt, maintain a hme but wh wish t remain in Bthbay and be a part f the cmmunity. State Gal: T encurage and prmte affrdable, decent husing pprtunities fr all Maine citizens. (Grwth Management Act) Pursuant t this gal, the Twn f Bthbay s lcal bjectives and related actins are: Objective C.1 Create an envirnment in which the private sectr can expand the range f husing pprtunities available in Bthbay Actin C.1-1. Revise the land use regulatins t allw the cnstructin f multi-unit husing in designated areas at apprpriate densities (see the Future Land Use Plan in Chapter 6) t increase the range f husing available in the cmmunity. Actin C.1-2. Revise the land use regulatins t allw smaller lt sizes and higher densities fr residential units in designated areas that are r can be served by bth the public sewer system and the year-rund water system in accrdance with the Future Land Use Plan (see Chapter 6). Objective C.2 Increase the supply f husing in the Bthbay Regin that is affrdable t peple wh wrk n the peninsula Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

24 Actin C.2-1. Prvide leadership and encurage cperatin t develp a reginal strategy that creates husing that is affrdable t husehlds that wrk in the regin r have a mdest incme. This strategy shuld explre the full-range f ptins fr addressing this issue ranging frm new cnstructin f varius types f husing t better utilizatin f large, existing single-family hmes. This strategy shuld assure that each municipality assumes the respnsibility fr meeting a share f the regin s need fr lwer-cst husing in a way that is apprpriate t that cmmunity. D. Municipal Facilities The Twn wns a number f municipal facilities including the twn ffice, fire department facilities, parks and recreatin areas, dcks, bat launches, and ther facilities. Generally the Twn s facilities are in gd cnditin and are adequate t meet current and anticipated future needs. All f these facilities require nging maintenance and sme are reaching an age where they may require significant investment. State Gals: T plan fr, finance and develp an efficient system f public facilities and services t accmmdate anticipated grwth and ecnmic develpment. (Grwth Management Act) T encurage rderly grwth and develpment in apprpriate areas f each cmmunity, while prtecting the State s rural character, making efficient use f public services and preventing develpment sprawl. (Grwth Management Act) Pursuant t these gals, the Twn f Bthbay s lcal bjectives and related actins are: Objective D.1 Maintain the Twn s public buildings and facilities in gd cnditin Actin D.1-1. Plan fr the regular maintenance and upgrading f Twn buildings and ther facilities such as playgrunds, bat launches, and dcks as part f the Twn s capital planning and budgeting prcess. Actin D.1-2. Establish a Twn plicy f explring the ptential fr shared facilities, equipment, services, and persnnel with ther municipalities and agencies prir t undertaking any majr investments. Objective D.2 Increase the energy efficiency f the Twn s public buildings and facilities Actin D.2-1. Undertake energy audits f all Twn buildings and facilities and develp lng-term imprvement prgrams t increase each building s energy efficiency. Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

25 Actin D.2-2. Plan fr the implementatin f the identified energy imprvements as part f the Twn s capital planning and budgeting prcess. E. Recreatin and Open Space A majr asset f the cmmunity and the larger regin is the area s utstanding natural and scenic envirnment. This envirnment is created, in part, by the large amunt f prtected pen space, undevelped land, and scenic viewscapes thrughut the peninsula. Organizatins such as the Bthbay Regin Land Trust and the Castal Maine Btanical Gardens as well as state agencies have acted t preserve this envirnment by prtecting large tracts f land as pen space and prviding fr the lw-impact recreatinal use f these areas. The Twn wns recreatinal facilities and sme pen land. In additin t its recreatinal, habitat, and scenic value, this prtected pen space and undevelped land plays an imprtant rle in the recharge f the aquifers that serve as the surces f water fr much f the cmmunity. State Gal: T prmte and prtect the availability f utdr recreatin pprtunities fr all Maine citizens, including access t surface waters. (Grwth Management Act) Pursuant t this gal, the Twn f Bthbay s lcal bjectives and related actins are: Objective E.1 Develp a cmprehensive Twn plicy n the prtectin f pen space Actin E.1-1. Develp a cmprehensive pen space plan fr the cmmunity that evaluates the ptential fr expanding prtected pen space in the Twn as a means fr addressing the municipality s bjectives. This plan shuld assess the value f pen space fr a range f benefits including recreatinal use, retentin f scenic views, wildlife habitat prtectin, prtectin f grundwater quality and quantity, prtectin f the quality f surface waters including Adams Pnd and Knickerbcker Lake, and municipal parks. The pen space plan shuld ideally be crdinated with the plans f the Bthbay Regin Land Trust, the Bthbay Regin Water District, ther cnservatin rganizatins, ther peninsula twns, state agencies, and land wners and shuld prpse a crdinated pen space prtectin and management strategy fr the cmmunity. Actin E.1-2. Prvide infrmatin n the state s current use tax prgrams t the wners f large parcels f pen land and encurage them t cnsider enrlling their land in these prgrams even thugh this des nt prvide permanent prtectin fr the land. Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

26 Objective E.2 Expand the existing pedestrian netwrk and establish links between the existing pedestrian facilities and trails t increase the extent f the intercnnected pedestrian netwrk Actin E.2-1. Wrk with the Twns f Bthbay Harbr, Edgecmb, and Suthprt, the Bthbay Reginal Cmmunity Trails Partnership, Bthbay Regin Land Trust, the Lincln Cunty Reginal Planning Cmmissin, ther similar rganizatins, and prperty wners t develp a peninsula-wide trail and pedestrian facility plan. This plan shuld fcus n creating and maintaining cnnectins between majr activity centers where they d nt currently exist (such as frm the area f the YMCA and high schl t the Castal Maine Btanical Gardens) and n linking existing pedestrian facilities. Actin E.2-2. Develp a lcal pedestrian facility and trail imprvement and management plan fr the Twn based n the peninsula-wide plan. Objective E.3 Maintain and expand pprtunities fr public access t the water Actin E.3-1. Wrk with the Bthbay Regin Land Trust, ther rganizatins, and prperty wners t prtect existing marine-related facilities and places f public access t the water as well as t prvide new facilities and access pints t assure their availability fr future marine use by bth cmmercial and recreatinal users. Actin E.3-2. Wrk with the Bthbay Regin Water District t maintain the Twn s existing public access facility n Knickerbcker Lake t ensure cntinued public access fr recreatin and t ensure that public use des nt adversely affect the lake s water quality r nearshre envirnment. F. Infrastructure The majr elements f the cmmunity s infrastructure are its water supply systems, its prvisins fr sewage dispsal, and its transprtatin systems. This sectin addresses water supply and sewage dispsal. The Twn s transprtatin systems are addressed in Sectin G. Except fr a small area alng Rute 27 adjacent t Bthbay Harbr where public sewers are available, sewage dispsal is handled privately thrugh n-site dispsal systems which are regulated by the state. Water supply cmes frm either the public system perated by the Bthbay Regin Water District which has bth year-rund and seasnal service areas and/r private wells. Maintaining bth the quality and quantity f the supplies fr bth the public and private water supply systems is a key issue fr the cmmunity. The water district s primary water surces are surface waters in the Twn f Bthbay. In sme gegraphic areas f the cmmunity, there are existing cncerns abut bth the quality and the quantity f the grundwater available t supply private wells. Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

27 State Gals: T plan fr, finance and develp an efficient system f public facilities and services t accmmdate anticipated grwth and ecnmic develpment. (Grwth Management Act) T encurage rderly grwth and develpment in apprpriate areas f each cmmunity, while prtecting the State s rural character, making efficient use f public services and preventing develpment sprawl. (Grwth Management Act) Pursuant t these gals, the Twn f Bthbay s lcal bjectives and related actins are: Objective F.1 Increase prtectin fr the Bthbay regin s public water supply Actin F.1-1. Supprt effrts by the Bthbay Regin Water District t undertake a detailed study and characterizatin f the watersheds f Adams Pnd and Knickerbcker Lake t include the develpment f sund infrmatin n the mvement and distributin f the water, key habitats, surces f pint and nn-pint pllutin, tpgraphy, sils, existing land uses, and impervius cver as the basis fr future Twn rdinance revisins. Actin F.1-2. Wrk with the Bthbay Regin Water District t develp and adpt new perfrmance-based standards fr the Water Reservirs Prtectin District and the Watershed Overlay Zne t enhance the prtectin f Adams Pnd and Knickerbcker Lake based n the detailed study and characterizatin f the watersheds f the tw waterbdies. Actin F.1-3. Undertake a prgram t wrk with the Bthbay Regin Water District and the wners f develped prperty within the Water Reservirs Prtectin District and alng ther key drainage curses in the Adams Pnd and Knickerbcker Lake watersheds t imprve the management f strmwater n these lts cnsistent with the new standards (see Actin F.1-1) and Lw Impact Develpment (LID) Best Management Practices (BMPs). Actin F.1-4. Supprt the extensin f the public sewer system nrtherly alng Rute 27 t prvide sewer service t the develped prperties within the Water Reservirs Prtectin District as well as new develpment that may ccur in the adjacent Watershed Overlay Zne. This shuld include seeking utside funding t pay fr the cst f this extensin as well as the use f funding mechanisms such as tax increment financing and impact fees. Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

28 Actin F.1-5. Wrk with the Bthbay Regin Water District t develp plans and innvative slutins t address ptential pint surces f pllutin in the watersheds f Adams Pnd and Knickerbcker Lake including nsite sub-surface sewage dispsal systems and facilities that stre r use petrleum hydrcarbns and ther chemical pllutants. This shuld include a prgram fr mnitring sub-surface sewage dispsal systems, il and gas strage facilities, and ther users f ptentially txic chemicals. This actin shuld include seeking utside funding and grants t address ptential pint surce pllutin prblems. Actin F.1-6. Wrk with the Bthbay Regin Water District and ther apprpriate entities t encurage the use f innvative appraches fr wastewater dispsal within bth the Adams Pnd and Knickerbcker Lake watersheds. Actin F.1-7. Ensure that all radwrk within the Watershed Overlay District is dne in accrdance with the Best Management Practices (BMPs) fr ersin and sedimentatin cntrl. Actin F.1-8. Where significant strm water and runff issues are present, such as alng Adams Pnd Rad and Back River Rad, ensure that radways, culverts, ditches, plunge pls, and detentin pnds are apprpriately designed, cnstructed, and maintained t minimize impacts n Adams Pnd and Knickerbcker Lake. Actin F.1-9. Ensure that public prperty in the Watershed Overlay District is prperly maintained t minimize runff and ersin and that all wrk n public prperty is carried ut in accrdance with Twn rdinances gverning sil wrk, excavatin, and clearing f vegetatin, and with Best Management Practices (BMPs) fr ersin and sedimentatin cntrl. Actin F Require that all public wrks supervisrs be trained and certified by the Maine DEP in ersin and sedimentatin cntrl and maintain their certificatin cnsistent with DEP recmmendatins. Objective F.2 Prtect the quality and quantity f the grundwater that is the supply fr private wells Actin F.2-1. Undertake a cmprehensive grundwater study t identify issues with respect t the quality and quantity f the grundwater and establish a lng-term strategy fr addressing the identified issues. This study shuld fcus first n areas with knwn r suspected grundwater issues and may be cnducted in stages as funding allws. Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

29 Actin F.2-2. Cnsider the existing density f develpment and the apprpriate density f future develpment relative t the prtectin f the grundwater in the develpment f the Future Land Use Plan (see Chapter 6) and the Twn s zning regulatins especially in thse areas that are nt served by year-rund public water. Actin F.2-3. Implement a shrt-term grundwater prtectin prgram t prtect the quality and quantity f the grundwater until a detailed grundwater study can be cmpleted (see Actin F.2-1). The interim prtectin prgram shuld include the fllwing actins and remain in frce until the cmprehensive grundwater study is cmpleted and the recmmendatins f that study implemented: 1. Undertake a cmmunity-wide educatin prgram abut grundwater issues fcused n encuraging prperty wners t increase the amunt f strmwater runff frm their prperty that is recharged int the grund and t take steps t reduce their water use if they rely n well-water fr any part f the year. 2. Encurage the use f lw flw water fixtures and appliances fr all new r replacement plumbing installatins even if nt required by state rules. 3. Require new nn-residential buildings, new residential subdivisins, and ther new residential uses that will have a design sewage flw f mre than 800 gallns per day based n the State Plumbing Cde, and that will rely n grundwater fr their water supply fr any part f the year, t demnstrate thrugh an apprpriate analysis that the use f the grundwater will nt have an unreasnable impact n the quantity r quality f grundwater available t neighbring prperties. This requirement shuld als apply t the expansin f any existing use that is served by a well that increases the amunt f water use by mre than 800 gallns per day based n the design sewage flws f the State Plumbing Cde. 4. Require new nnresidential buildings, new residential subdivisins and ther new residential uses that will create mre than 5,000 square feet f impervius surface t utilize Lw Impact Develpment Best Management Practices (LID BMPs) fr strmwater management unless a state strmwater permit is required. This requirement t use LID BMPs shuld nt apply t single-family hmes n individual lts that are nt part f a new subdivisin. 5. Prvide resurces and infrmatin t enable prperty wners and develpers t understand and cmply with Lw Impact Develpment Best Management Practices (LID BMPs) fr strmwater management as well as t encurage new single-family hmes t utilize(lid BMPs) fr Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

30 strmwater management. 6. Require any expansin f existing nnresidential r residential buildings (including single-family hmes) that increases the amunt f impervius surface n the lt by mre than 5,000 square feet t utilize Lw Impact Develpment Best Management Practices fr strmwater management 7. Adpt maximum lt cverage r impervius surface limits in all zning districts nt just in the Shreland Zne (see Future Land Use Plan in Chapter 6). G. Transprtatin The primary transprtatin system in Bthbay is the private autmbile and the netwrk f state and lcal rads. This netwrk is essential fr mvement f peple and gds t and arund the cmmunity. It is als the way that mst turists and visitrs cme t the regin. Rute 27 and Rute 96 play key rles in this netwrk. The 2012 Rute 27 crridr study identified the need fr a variety f imprvements. The infrastructure fr pedestrian and bicycle mvement has been expanded and imprved but there are still many needed imprvements t this netwrk. The recent jint Bthbay-Bthbay Harbr Bicycle Pedestrian Plan identified a number f recmmended imprvements. There has als been grwing interest in alternative transprtatin fr the peninsula including bus, bat and train service t Wiscasset and trlley service n the peninsula. State Gal: T plan fr, finance and develp an efficient system f public facilities and services t accmmdate anticipated grwth and ecnmic develpment. (Grwth Management Act) Pursuant t this gal, the Twn f Bthbay s lcal bjectives and related actins are: Objective G.1 Imprve the accessibility f the Bthbay peninsula Actin G.1-1 (als Actin B.4-3). Aggressively supprt effrts t imprve vehicular access t the Bthbay peninsula by reducing the impact f the Wiscasset bttleneck. In additin t supprting effrts t imprve traffic flw thrugh/arund Wiscasset, this shuld include supprting effrts t divert thrugh traffic that des nt have a Mid- Cast destinatin frm the Rute One crridr by encuraging the use f alternative rutes such as I-295 and Rute 3. This shuld include prviding real time traffic infrmatin t mtrists at key decisin pints such as Tpsham/Brunswick and Belfast. Actin G.1-2. Encurage expanded bus and train service t Wiscasset and thrughut the Rute One crridr as demand warrants including enhanced prvisins fr passengers t bring bicycles n the bus and train. Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

31 Actin G.1-3. Encurage the Maine Department f Transprtatin t undertake a study f the feasibility f establishing ferry service between Bthbay Harbr and Prtland and between Bthbay, Wiscasset, and ther mid-cast prts t prvide turist with an alternative travel mde t the Bthbay regin. Objective G.2 Imprve traffic flw and safety in Rute 27 crridr Actin G.2-1. Wrk with the Maine Department f Transprtatin and the Bthbay cmmunity t develp and implement a cmprehensive traffic imprvement prgram t revise the traffic pattern in the vicinity f the Cmmn t imprve vehicular flw and safety and enhance the appearance and usability if the Cmmn. The prcess fr develping the imprvement prgram shuld invlve the public and stakehlders in cnsidering a variety f ptins fr this prject. These imprvements shuld include sidewalks and pedestrian crssings t make the Cmmn mre f a pedestrian envirnment. The Twn shuld cnsider using a TIF r ther financing mechanism t pay fr this prject. Actin G.2-2. Wrk with the Maine Department f Transprtatin t systematically cmplete the imprvements utlined in the 2012 Midcast Rute 27 Crridr Management Plan (see Chapter 1) including imprvements at the intersectins with Industrial Rad, Hardwick Rad, River Rad, and bth sectins f Adams Pnd Rad, widening the pavement t accmmdate pedestrian and bicycle use frm the Cmmn t Hardwick Rad, and imprving the management f curb cuts.. Objective G.3 (als E.2) Expand the existing pedestrian netwrk and establish links between existing pedestrian facilities and trails t increase the extent f the intercnnected pedestrian netwrk Actin G.3-1 (als E.2-1). Wrk with the Twns f Bthbay Harbr, Edgecmb, and Suthprt, the Bthbay Reginal Cmmunity Trails Partnership, Bthbay Regin Land Trust, the Lincln Cunty Reginal Planning Cmmissin, ther similar rganizatins, and prperty wners t develp a peninsula-wide trail and pedestrian facility plan. This plan shuld fcus n creating and maintaining cnnectins between majr activity centers where they d nt currently exist (such as frm the area f the YMCA and high schl t the Castal Maine Btanical Gardens) and n linking existing pedestrian facilities. Actin G.3-2 (als E.2-2). Develp and implement a lcal pedestrian facility and trail imprvement and management plan fr the Twn based n the peninsula-wide plan. Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

32 Objective G.4 Maintain and expand the sidewalk and pedestrian facility netwrk Actin G.4-1. Develp a priritized plan fr maintaining the existing pedestrian facilities in the Cmmn area and East Bthbay village and fr extending thse sidewalks and shulders t create a better pedestrian netwrk in these villages and alng Rute 27 as recmmended in the Bthbay-Bthbay Harbr Bicycle-Pedestrian Plan. Actin G.4-2. Create and regularly fund a pedestrian imprvements accunt as part f the Twn budget t be used fr implementing the pedestrian facilities plan. Objective G.5 Imprve the safety f pedestrians and bicyclists using the majr rads thrugh the cmmunity Actin G.5-1. Wrk with Maine Department f Transprtatin and the Twn f Bthbay Harbr t extend the sidewalk frm Cliffrd Park t the YMCA. Actin G.5-2. Wrk with Maine Department f Transprtatin t cnstruct paved shulders n the prtin f Rute 96 between Rute 27 and East Bthbay village. Actin G.5-3. Wrk with Maine Department f Transprtatin t explre imprvements t enhance the safety f pedestrians and bicyclists n the prtin f Rute 96 frm East Bthbay village t Ocean Pint including the cnstructin f paved shulders where pssible and the installatin f apprpriate signage. Actin G.5-4. Wrk with Maine Department f Transprtatin t expand the paved shulders n Rute 27 between Bthbay Center and the Edgecmb line t a minimum f fur feet in width. Objective G.6 Increase the pprtunities fr residents, visitrs, and turists t mve abut the peninsula withut using a car Actin G.6-1. In additin t the pedestrian, trail, and bicycle imprvements utlined abve (Objectives G.3, G.4, and G.5), explre the creatin f a lcal trlley r shuttle service in cperatin with the Twn f Bthbay Harbr and the lcal business cmmunity. In cnjunctin with this effrt, investigate the feasibility f a remte parking lt alng Rute 27 that wuld be served by the trlley/shuttle s that visitrs and wrkers d nt have t drive int and park in the harbr area. Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

33 H. Histric and Archelgical Resurces The Twn has a large number f identified histric and archelgical sites including the remains f early develpment n Damariscve Island and the sites f numerus shipwrecks. While the histrical significance f sme f the cmmunity s lder buildings has been dcumented, there are prbably ther buildings, structures, and sites that are lcally significant. State Gal: T preserve the State s histric and archaelgical resurces. (Grwth Management Act) Pursuant t this gal, the Twn f Bthbay s lcal bjective and related actins are: Objective H.1 Ensure that identified histric and archelgical resurces are cnsidered in develpment prpsals Actin H.1-1. Review and revise, if necessary, the submissin requirements fr prjects subject t subdivisin r site plan review t require that all state r lcally identified histrically r archaelgically significant resurces n r adjacent t the develpment parcel be identified in the applicatin and shwn n the plans. Actin H.1-2. Require applicants fr subdivisin r site plan review n parcels that cntain state r lcally identified histrically r archaelgically significant resurces t dcument hw the resurce will be incrprated int the develpment prpsal and any impacts mitigated r, if the resurce will nt be incrprated int the develpment, why that is necessary. Actin H.1-3. Wrk with the Bthbay Regin Histrical Sciety and the Maine State Histric Preservatin Office t identify and dcument any additinal buildings, structures, and sites that have statewide r lcal histric r archaelgical imprtance. I. Natural and Marine Resurces The Twn as well as the entire Bthbay peninsula is rted in its natural and marine resurces. The harbr and cast tgether created the ecnmic reasn fr the existence f the peninsula cmmunities and remain key drivers f the reginal ecnmy. Numerus farms existed in the interir f the cmmunity sme f which remain. While much f the Twn s natural character and scenic resurces have endured, cntinued develpment as well as changes in the natural envirnment, create stress n these resurces. It can als reduce the ability f traditinal marine activities t exist and limit access t the shrefrnt fr bth cmmercial and recreatinal use. Much f the gegraphic area f Bthbay relies n grundwater fr water supply at least a part f the year. Develpment has the ptential fr encraching n the cmmunity s resurces if nt wisely managed. The ptential fr sea level rise creates a new issue fr lw lying areas. Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

34 State Gals: T prtect the quality and manage the quantity f the State s water resurces, including lakes, aquifers, great pnds, estuaries, rivers and castal areas. (Grwth Management Act) T prtect the State s ther critical natural resurces, including withut limitatin, wetlands, wildlife and fisheries habitat, sand dunes, shrelands, scenic vistas and unique natural areas. (Grwth Management Act) T prtect the State s marine resurces industry, prts and harbrs frm incmpatible develpment and t prmte access t the shre fr cmmercial fishermen and the public. (Grwth Management Act) T prmte and prtect the availability f utdr recreatin pprtunities fr all Maine citizens, including access t surface waters. (Grwth Management Act) Pursuant t these gals, the Twn f Bthbay s lcal bjectives and related actins are: Objective I.1 Ensure that state and lcally imprtant natural resurces are cnsidered in develpment prpsals and negative impacts minimized Actin I.1-1. Review and revise, if necessary, the Twn s land use rdinance t assure that the submissin requirements fr prjects subject t subdivisin r site plan review t require that all state r lcally imprtant natural resurces n the parcel including, but nt limited t, wetlands, vernal pls, fldplains, wildlife habitats, and unique natural features r areas, be identified in the applicatin and shwn n the plans and that there are bjective criteria fr cnsidering these resurces in the develpment planning and fr prtecting them and/r mitigating any adverse impacts n them. Actin I.1-2. Encurage applicants fr subdivisin and site plan review t undertake a pre-applicatin site inventry and analysis prcess and use this analysis in the site design and layut f the develpment t minimize impacts n imprtant resurces. Objective I.2 Maintain the utstanding scenic quality f the cmmunity Actin I.2-1. Undertake a scenic inventry and assessment f the Twn t identify significant scenic features including radscapes, views, and vistas frm public prperty Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

35 including rads pen t public use and t identify appraches fr maintaining thse radscapes, views, and vistas. Actin I.2-2. Require that all lcally significant scenic features n r adjacent t the parcel be identified in the applicatin fr subdivisin r site plan review and shwn n the plans. Actin I.2-3. Establish bjective criteria fr cnsidering these resurces in develpment review and fr prtecting them and/r mitigating any adverse impacts n them. Actin I.2-4. Require that new r expanded prjects alng Rutes 27 and 96 maintain a landscaped r naturally vegetated buffer strip alng the rad right-f-way (see Chapter 6 Land Use fr additinal details) Objective I.3 Prtect the quality and quantity f the grundwater that is used t supply private wells (see Objective F.2 and related actins) Objective I.4 Imprve the quality f the Twn s surface waters Actin I.4-1. Revise the Twn s develpment standards t require that all prjects that create mre than 5,000 square feet f new impervius surface utilize strmwater Lw Impact Develpment Best Management Practices (LID BMPs) t minimize the amunt f strmwater runff frm the site and t imprve the quality f any runff frm the site. This requirement shuld nt apply t single-family hmes n individual lts that are utside f the watershed f Adams Pnd and Knickerbcker Lake. Objective I.5 Maintain and enhance access t castal waters fr bth cmmercial marine interests and recreatinal baters Actin I.5-1 (als Actin B.3-1). Maintain and imprve the public access pints and facilities used by cmmercial fisherman, lbstermen, recreatinal baters, and ther marine interests. Actin I.5-2 (als Actin B.3-2). Wrk with the Bthbay Regin Land Trust, ther cnservatin rganizatins, and prperty wners t prtect existing marine-related facilities as well as t prvide new facilities t assure their availability fr future marine use. Objective I.6 Minimize the impact f flding and pssible sea level rise n the cmmunity Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

36 J. Fiscal Actin I.6-1. Peridically review and update the Twn s fldplain management prvisins including adpting the mst up-t-date Fld Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and state/federal fldplain management requirements. Actin I.6-2. Develp a mitigatin plan fr dealing with sea level rise that assesses the ptential fr increased flding if sea level rise ccurs and develps a prgram fr minimizing the impact f any such flding n Twn facilities including public rads. An element f this plan shuld be cnsideratin f the need and prvisins fr evacuatin f areas subject t significant flding r that may be cut-ff by rad flding. The Twn has facilities that will need investment in the freseeable future t maintain and mdernize them. While the Twn has a prcess fr planning fr the replacement f capital equipment it des nt have a frmal prcess f lng-range planning fr needed capital investments in Twn buildings and ther municipal facilities. The Twn has used tax increment financing t supprt previus ecnmic develpment prjects and actively seeks utside funding t reduce the Twn-csts fr needed prjects. State Gal: T plan fr, finance and develp an efficient system f public facilities and services t accmmdate anticipated grwth and ecnmic develpment. (Grwth Management Act) Pursuant t this gal, the Twn f Bthbay s lcal bjectives and related actins are: Objective J.1 Maintain a reasnable tax burden while cntinuing t prvide high-quality services Actin J.1-1. Create an envirnment that encurages private investments that expand the tax base withut creating additinal csts fr the Twn that utweigh the new tax revenue. Objective J.2 Prvide funding fr maintaining the Twn s facilities and implementing the Cmprehensive Plan Actin J.2-1. Imprve the Twn s prcess f planning fr and funding majr capital investments in buildings, facilities, and equipment by upgrading the Twn s capital planning and budgeting system t include a 3 t 5 year Capital Imprvements Plan (CIP) that addresses needed investments in capital facilities and actins required t implement this plan in additin t regular funding fr equipment replacement and rutine maintenance. Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

37 Actin J.2-2. Cntinue t seek funding frm utside surces including state and federal prgrams fr planned imprvements. Actin J.2-3. Cnsider the use f alternative funding appraches including tax increment financing and impact fees when apprpriate t pay fr planned imprvements. K. Educatin The Bthbay-Bthbay Harbr Cmmunity Schl District (CSD) perates the Bthbay Regin Elementary Schl (BRES), a grade Pre-K thrugh 8 schl, and Bthbay Regin High Schl. Students frm Edgecmb and Suthprt als attend the Middle Schl that is part f BRES as well as Bthbay Regin High Schl. Enrllment in bth the elementary schl and high schl has been declining ver the past five years driven primarily by decreases in the number f students frm Bthbay Harbr. State Gal: T plan fr, finance and develp an efficient system f public facilities and services t accmmdate anticipated grwth and ecnmic develpment. (Grwth Management Act) Pursuant t this gal, the Twn f Bthbay s lcal bjectives and related actins are: Objective K.1 Encurage brader invlvement f the Twn s elected fficials and general public in the peratin f the Twn s schls Actin K.1-1 Establish a prcess with the CSD and the Twn f Bthbay Harbr t peridically review bth the Charter which defines the rganizatinal structure f the schl district and the District s educatinal gals and bjectives. Actin K.1-2 Establish a frmal prcess fr the sharing f infrmatin abut the schl system between the CSD Bard f Trustees, Schl Cmmittee, and the Twn s Bard f Selectmen. Objective K.2 Enhance the perfrmance f the students in the lcal schl system Actin K.2-1 (als A.2-3). Supprt effrts by the Bthbay-Bthbay Harbr schl system t prvide a vibrant, innvative envirnment that allws all students t learn at the peak f their abilities and t cntinue t adpt innvative educatinal appraches. Objective K.3 Enhance the academic reputatin f the district thrughut the Mid-Cast regin Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

38 Actin K.3-1 Wrk with schl administratrs and fficials t prmte the successes and achievements f the schl district and its students thrughut the larger Mid-Cast regin and the State f Maine. Actin K.3-2. Prmte awareness thrughut the Mid-Cast f the Bthbay Regin Student Aid Fund and the available funding fr pst-secndary educatin. Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

39 CHAPTER 6: LAND USE GOALS AND POLICIES The Twn s land use plicies and related prgrams and regulatins play a majr rle in shaping the future f Bthbay and ur prgress in achieving many aspects f ur visin fr the Twn. While Chapter 5 addresses sme land use plicies in general terms, this chapter lays ut the Twn s land use plicies in detail and utlines the land use regulatins and prgrams that will be needed t carry ut thse plicies and supprt the Twn s land use rdinances. These plicies generally reflect a ten- t fifteen-year timeframe recgnizing that many f the desired changes will take time t ccur. Once the Cmprehensive Plan is apprved by Twn Meeting, the Twn will need t revise the Zning Ordinance t be cnsistent with these bjectives and plicies. All changes in the Zning Ordinance must be apprved by vte f the Twn Meeting. A. Land Use Objectives The land use plicies and recmmendatins fr the Twn s land use regulatins and related prgrams are based n a set f interrelated bjectives. These bjectives represent the cre f the Twn s land use planning prgram. The land use bjectives are: 1. Encurage the preservatin f designated resurce cnservatin areas t retain the natural resurce and scenic values f these areas (see Figure 6.1). 2. Preserve the rural nature f the designated rural areas f the cmmunity where there are large cntiguus areas f undevelped land (see Figure 6.1) while accmmdating traditinal rural uses and small-scale nnresidential uses. 3. Encurage the preservatin f significant pen space thrughut the cmmunity in accrdance with a cmmunity-wide pen space plan. 4. Encurage the develpment f a range f types and prices f husing t meet the needs f a diverse ppulatin. 5. Encurage the majrity f new develpment t ccur in designated grwth areas, and t a lesser extent, in limited grwth areas as identified in the Future Land Use Plan (See Figure 6.1). 6. Carefully manage and limit use and develpment f land in the watersheds f Adams Pnd and Knickerbcker Lake and in the vicinity f the frmer water supply wells fr East Bthbay t prtect the surces f supply fr the public water system. 7. Carefully manage develpment especially in castal residential areas and in frmer gravel pits t prtect bth the quality and quantity f the grundwater. Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

40 8. Reinfrce the rle f the area surrunding the Cmmn as the cmmunity and service center fr the Twn and encurage its evlutin t a pedestrian fcused twn center with additinal residential activity. 9. Manage develpment in the Rute 27 crridr t imprve the visual envirnment f the crridr while accmmdating gd quality develpment and imprving vehicular safety and flw in this area. 10. Prmte light manufacturing and business-park develpment in the industrial park area. 11. Maintain the scenic character f the nrthern end f the Rute 27 crridr frm Hardwick Rad t the twn line and the prtin f the Rute 96 crridr frm the twn line t East Bthbay village while allwing well planned develpment. 12. Reinfrce the character f East Bthbay as a mixed-use, marine village while accmmdating limited expansin f traditinal marine industries. 13. Accmmdate a wide range f traditinal rural and small-scale nnresidential activities in identified rural areas while maintaining the rural, pen character f these areas. 14. Prtect the ability f nnresidential uses that were established prir t the Twn having zning r that have been legally established t expand and mdernize as the Twn s land use regulatins are updated. B. Future Land Use Plan The Future Land Use Plan (see Figure 6.2) shws graphically hw the Twn s land use plicies apply t the land area f the Twn f Bthbay and where and hw grwth shuld be accmmdated ver the next decade. The Future Land Use Plan is nt a zning map. It is intended t shw, in a general sense, the desired pattern f future land use and develpment. The intentin is that this Future Land Use Plan will guide revisins t the Twn s Zning Ordinance and related zning maps t assure that the land use regulatins are cnsistent with the plicies set frth in this Cmprehensive Plan. The bundaries shwn n the Future Land Use Plan are general. The bundaries f each land use designatin shuld serve as guidelines as the zning rdinance and zning map are reviewed and revised. 1. Cncept f Grwth Areas, Limited Grwth Areas, Rural Areas, and Resurce Cnservatin Areas Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

41 The Future Land Use Plan embdies the cncept that the Twn shuld identify and designate grwth areas r areas in which mst f the anticipated nn-residential and residential grwth will be accmmdated, limited grwth areas r areas in which intensive develpment will be discuraged but mdest develpment and redevelpment will be accmmdated, rural areas where intensive develpment will be discuraged and a rural character maintained, and resurce cnservatin areas where mst develpment will be prhibited r carefully managed t preserve natural resurce values (see Figure 6-1). These fur types f areas are defined as fllws: Grwth Areas These are areas where the Twn wants grwth and develpment t ccur. The anticipatin is that mst residential and nn-residential develpment ver the next ten years will ccur in these grwth areas. Grwth Areas include areas with undevelped land that is apprpriate fr develpment as well as develped areas where redevelpment r significant intensificatin f use is desired. Public sewer and year-rund public water is available in sme f the grwth areas r may be able t be prvided in the future. Fr example, the designated Grwth Area includes the Village Fringe Area and the prtin f the Rute 27 crridr designated as the Cmmercial Crridr Area where public sewer culd becme available in the future. Limited Grwth Areas These are areas that have specific circumstances where the Twn desires a limited amunt f grwth and develpment ver the next ten years. Limited Grwth Areas include the established castal residential areas where the Twn s bjective is t carefully manage new develpment t prtect the quality and quantity f the grundwater and the scenic prtins f the Rutes 27 and 96 crridrs. Rural Areas These are areas that are predminantly undevelped, have large cntiguus areas f pen land with sme cmmercial agriculture and frestry activity, and are nt serviced r likely t be serviced by year-rund public water and/r sewerage in the freseeable future. Therefre these areas are cnsidered apprpriate fr small-scale, lwdensity develpment that is cmpatible with the rural landscape alng with a cntinuatin f traditinal rural and nn-residential uses. Resurce Cnservatin Areas These are areas that have significant natural resurce value r that are subject t state-impsed develpment limitatins and therefre are nt apprpriate fr significant develpment. Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

42 Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

43 2. Land Use Designatins The Future Land Use Plan (see Figure 6.2) takes the parts f Bthbay that are within these fur brad categries and divides them int land use designatins. These land use designatins cver the entire Twn and incrprate the cncepts set frth fr the land use bjectives discussed in sectin A. abve. The Future Land Use Plan des nt shw the shreland verlay districts which are intended t remain unchanged. As nted in the intrductin t this sectin, the land use designatins are nt intended t be zning districts per se. Rather they frm the brad basis that must be reflected in the Twn s land use regulatins including the zning rdinance and zning map. Fllwing the adptin f this Plan by Twn Meeting, the Twn will need t review and revise the Zning Ordinance t make it generally cnsistent with the cncepts set ut in the Future Land Use Plan. In the preparatin f the revised zning prvisins, sme f the designatins may be cmbined r re-arranged r divided t create a wrkable number f zning districts. The fllwing prvides an utline f the varius land use designatins rganized by grwth designatin: A. Grwth Areas 1. Bthbay Village Center Area 2. Bthbay Village Fringe Area 3. Bthbay Village Mixed-Use Area 4. Cmmercial Crridr Area 5. Manufacturing/Business Area 6. East Bthbay Village Area 7. Maritime Cmmercial Area 8. Bigelw Labratry Special District 9. Residential Areas B. Limited Grwth Areas 1. Castal Residential Areas 2. Scenic Gateway Areas C. Rural Areas 1. Rural Mixed-Use Areas D. Resurce Cnservatin Areas 1. Resurce Prtectin Areas Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

44 2. Water Reservirs Prtectin Area 3. Wellhead Prtectin Area 4. Shreland Overlay Area 5. Watershed Overlay District Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update

45 Twn f Bthbay Cmprehensive Plan Update