2014 Bridgton Comprehensive Plan A Guide

Anne Krieg, AICP

Bridgton Planning, Economic & Community Development

Why did we do this?

• It’s a requirement for growth management

• It helps us get grants

• It’s the right thing to do

Why is preparing a Comprehensive Plan the right thing to do?

• It guides our capital plan• It influences our government

operations• It is the basis for any zoning or land

use regulation• It gives staff direction

Who worked on this plan?

• Comprehensive Plan Committee• Bob Wiser

• Lucia Terry

• Chuck Renneker

• Greg Watkins

• Glen Zaidman

• Dick Danis

• Ray Turner

• Bill Vincent

How was the public involved?

• 2011 Visioning sessions

• 2012 Pot Luck supper series

• 2013 Pub Meetings

• 2014 Formal Workshops and Public Hearings

What is in the Comprehensive Plan

• Snapshot of where we are in all aspects of government and statistics

• Sets the policy for the next 10 years in all of these aspects

Historic and Cultural Resources

• The resources we have

• National Register

• Archeological Sites

What’s the Policy for this?

Conduct a surveyProtection & regulationsDevelop historic tourism

Population• 4% increase in last decade

• 57% increase in 65+ age

• 16% below povertyWhat’s the policy for this?

Encourage young families to move hereProvide support to aging populationTraining & technology

Housing• 18% increase in units

• About half the population could not re purchase their homes

What’s the policy?

Encourage downtown housing (village)Property maintenanceSupport programs for first time home buyers

Our Economy

• Major employers

• Tourism

• New BusinessWhat’s the policy?

Year round eventsPromote tourismWastewater systemInvest in streetscape improvements

Land Use

• Downtown

• 302

• Villages

What’s the policy?

Zoning – new methods to look at the site development – the form of the buildingManagement Plan approach to the corridorsWaterfront development

Natural Resources

• Aquifers

• Threats to lakes and water quality

• Stormwater

What’s the policy?

Test, monitor, regulate

Transportation

• Survey of roads & bridges

What’s the policy? Road improvement plan \Sidewalk plan\ Trails plan\ Plan for bicycle path/lanes

Public Facilities & Services

• Listing of all services from the town

• Cooperating agencies

What’s the policy?

Wastewater SystemCharter commissionreview staffing needsAssess facilitiesAnalyze town propertiesRecreation Plan

Our Finances

• Analysis of Revenues & Expenditures

• Survey of Assets

What’s the policy?

Work with school5 year capital plan programIncrease grant pursuit

Regional Coordination

• List of efforts

What’s the policy?GPCOGOpportunity AllianceSchoolsPublic Safety

LEA/LELT

What happens if this passes at the ballot?• Former State Planning Office Staff reviews it

• Meets statutorial requirements

• Is aligned with state goals

• Implementation Plan is prepared with BOS & Staff

What if it doesn’t pass at town meeting?• We return to having a series of public forums to find out why

What if I don’t like certain parts of the plan?

• Look at the plan as a sum of its parts

• Does the plan overall agree with your goals for the town over the next decade?

• Is your disagreement a “deal breaker” for the all of the plan?

When is the vote?

• November 4th by ballot

Questions?