Opponents pack hearing to protest LD 1268

More than 100 opponents of the Maine DEP's proposed Act to Update the Site Location of Development Laws squeezed into the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources on Tuesday afternoon to protest the controversial LD 1268. All of us at Main-Land Development Consultants, which has led the charge against LD 1268, were humbled by the turnout and the testimony against the bill, which lasted more than two hours and gave voice to more than 45 challengers (compared to the six who spoke in favor, including a rep from the Maine DEP). The entire Main-Land team attended the hearing in a show of support, and the Livermore Falls office was closed for the afternoon (DEP meanwhile only had two representatives at the hearing and the State Planning Office was visibly absent).

Whether it was the private land owners who came to the state house from towns like Bingham, Norway and Roxbury; the Hampden planning board member; the Franklin County Commissioner; the economic development director for the town of Madison; the Gorham contractor; the president of Franklin Savings Bank; or representatives from the Associated Builders and Contractors of Maine, Wagner Forestry, the Maine Real Estate and Development Association, WBRC Architects, the Erickson Foundation, the Maine Aggregate Association, the Maine Association of Realtors and the Maine Municipal Association, all said "No!" to LD 1268 in a loud, unified and informed voice. While each speaker approached their testimony in a different way during the three hour hearing, all opponents spoke to their concerns about how rural Maine would be left behind by the bill, as would rural Maine landowners who would see their property values plumet if LD 1268 was to be enacted.

Even Rep. Tom Saviello (U-Wilton), who is a co-sponsor of the bill, spoke against it, saying it was a "solution looking for a problem" and that if enacted "this bill as written will continue our decline" in western Maine, which has been hit hard lately by job losses, including the impending closure of the Wausau Mill in Livermore Falls/Jay.

Speaking on behalf of the Maine Municipal Association, whose policy committee voted to oppose the bill, Jeff Austin said the crisis in much of Maine is not growth, but the struggle to survive. "Growth isn't the challenge; it's the loss of citizens and the loss of jobs that's the crisis. The question facing municipalities now is how do we attract more, not how do we manage growth," he explained.

Speaking neither for or against the bill was GrowSmart (whose entire mission is to prevent sprawl as Maine DEP claims this bill was intended to do claims) and the Maine Turnpike Authority, and even the Maine Association of Planners who spoke for the bill said they did with "cautious optimism."

The bill will now get sent to a work session where we and the other opponents hope the committee will have the sense to kill the bill by giving it an "ought not to pass." In the meantime, we encourage those concerned about the bill flood the Natural Resources Committee with letters of opposition. You can link to the committee's contact information here. And continue checking back here for the latest updates on LD 1268's progress.

You can read more about the hearing here in the front page story from Wednesday's Lewiston Sun Journal, or in Mainebiz's Wednesday Daily. WCSH 6 also covered the hearing, and we'll post that clip when it becomes available.

Press Herald features site law change controversy

Just one day before the public hearing on LD 1268: An Act to Update the Site Location of Development Laws, the Portland Press Herald published this front page story on the controversial proposal, its potential impacts and the reasonings behind it. You can click here to see the story directly on the Press Herald's website, or read the article in its entirety below. Main-Land Development Consultants' owner Darryl Brown, who has led the charge against this legislation, was featured, as was Jeff Austin, a lobbyist for the Maine Municipal Association, who was quoted as saying the proposed revamp of the site law "is just too draconian." The fact that up to 40 percent of the DEP reviewed projects of the last three years would have been denied under LD 1268 underscores certainly that. MMA will attend tomorrow's hearing and speak out against the bill.

Press Herald writer Tux Turkel did a nice job presenting the issue from both sides of the table. Perhaps coincidentally, the article on LD 1268 ran alongside one on the struggles of Maine graduates to stay in the state because of a tight job market here. These two issues are connected much more closely than one might think. Development isn't a dirty word, and the jobs and revenue opportunities development creates are critical to Maine's fiscal future.

Throughout the article and the forums we've held, DEP has claimed the bill is just a conversation starter, and "wish-list kind of stuff." While that may have been their intention, we see things a bit differently. It is our impression that had Darryl not gotten wind of this in the roundabout way he did, LD 1268 would have likely been enacted without much discussion or realization of its implications.

That said, we're glad that the forums and the buzz they've helped generate have caused DEP to rethink this proposal, and give more consideration to the input of those who would be more impacted by any changes (those on the
front line like developers, realtors, town planners, etc.) DEP has also conceded some scaling back as it pertains to the rules associated with the site law (not the law itself) as a result of Main-Land's forums. It is our hope that this experience will really help illustrate an effective model for how the public and the private sectors can work together for the betterment of the state. From where DEP sits in Augusta, it's hard for them to fully understand how their decisions impact those who have to deal with the consequences. Had this bill be enacted without discussion, it would have devastating effects, especially on rural Maine. But now, we think the legislation that we'll get in the end will be so much stronger thanks to Darryl's input and that of the others who have come to the forums and joined his cause.

We hope this article will generate a larger turnout for the public hearing, which will be held in Augusta tomorrow (Tuesday, April 14) at 1 p.m. in the Cross Building. Hope to see you there!

Bill seeks to overhaul growth management

State House: The proposal would guide the siting of development, but foes say it could be a project-killer.

By Tux Turkel, Portland Press Herald Staff Writer

With the recession as a backdrop, lawmakers will hear a proposal Tuesday for a major overhaul of the state law that guides large-scale development.

Supporters, led by the state Department of Environmental Protection, will make the case that Maine's Site Location of Development Law is outdated and out of step with more recent growth management objectives.

They're seeking changes that would steer big projects closer to communities' growth areas, along with updated rules that reflect today's best development practices.

The recession is a good time to consider such changes, they say, absent the pressures of a building boom.

But opponents, including developers and some rural town representatives, say tightening up the site law during a deep economic downturn makes no sense.

Darryl Brown, owner of Main-Land Development Consultants in Livermore Falls and a vocal critic who has organized a campaign against the proposed changes, says an overhaul would bring development to a standstill.

Bound to be hurt, Brown said, would be rural communities that hunger for new businesses and the jobs they can bring, such as the towns he works with in western Maine.

Debate over development tends to be emotional and controversial, fueled by strong feelings about local control, sprawl and finding a balance between preservation and growth to maintain Maine's sense of place. These elements will color discussion of L.D. 1268, the bill that would revise the site law. The public is invited to comment at Tuesday's public hearing before the Legislature's Natural Resources Committee, which begins at 1 p.m. in Room 214 of the Cross State Office Building in Augusta.

FINE-TUNING DEVELOPMENT POLICY

Maine's site law requires state environmental review of significant development, including commercial projects covering three acres or more and large residential subdivisions. Enacted in the 1970s, it hasn't had major revisions since 1995.

Staff from state agencies, including the DEP, the State Planning Office and Department of Transportation, have been meeting for the past year or so to evaluate the aging law.

Andrew Fisk, who heads the DEP's Bureau of Land and Water Quality, said the issues boiled down to this: "Is development in Maine happening where we want and the way we want?"

The agencies looked at projects approved under the site law from January 2006 to December 2008. It found that two-thirds of all major development took place in local growth areas, in towns that have made those designations.

"We're not claiming there's a huge crisis on the landscape," Fisk said. "We just think we can do better."

That feeling focuses on the imperfect relationship between the site law and the 20-year-old Growth Management Act.

The act encourages towns to designate growth areas through local comprehensive plans. The idea is to concentrate development around existing services and buildings, rather than scatter it across the countryside. Changes in the site law, Fisk said, would complement the policy goals of the growth act.

But the act's planning process – once mandatory – is voluntary these days, and nearly half of the state's 455 communities lack plans consistent with the law, according to the State Planning Office. Fewer still have enacted effective zoning and land-use ordinances to support their plans.

Many of these towns are in rural areas, where too much development isn't a problem. Changes that might discourage businesses don't sit well with people there.

TENSION OVER RECESSION TIMING

The proposed overhaul of the site rule "is just too draconian," said Jeff Austin, a lobbyist for the Maine Municipal Association. "It's just too much of a barrier to development."

The group will oppose the bill, but Austin said his membership is split. Towns with strong zoning and comprehensive plans like to see the state backing up their ordinances. But it's a different story in rural towns that don't typically feel growth pressure.

"A lot of this is psychological and emotional," he said. "These towns are saying, 'How can you just turn off the lights in my town?' "

At the DEP, Fisk said the agency doesn't want to do anything to hurt Maine's economy. And rule changes that would affect residential subdivisions, for instance, would have more flexibility and allow construction in rural areas, if developments met open space and other conservation guidelines.

Fisk also said the proposals are drafts and part of a process, not a final product. They will be refined after the give-and-take that comes from public input.

That's not how Brown, the development consultant, views what has taken place.

A former legislator, Brown said the public knew little about the DEP's intentions until very recently. When he found out early this winter, he organized a series of informational forums in western Maine to draw attention to the plans. Some of the forums were attended by the DEP.

In Brown's view, the site law doesn't need major revisions. Looking back over the past 10 years, he said he just doesn't see big problems with how development is taking place. Brown has spent recent weeks reaching out to developers, small-town officials and other opponents, asking them to send a similar message to Augusta.

"I'm hoping this bill is just killed," he said.

FURTHER STUDY MAY BE NEEDED

It was unclear late last week whether there was support for the measure from environmental and land-use planning advocates.

The Natural Resources Council of Maine said it hadn't yet formed a position. GrowSmart Maine, which promotes planned development and downtown revitalization, said it wants to work on consensus-building with communities and not engage in contentious debates.

At the Maine Municipal Association, Austin said he wouldn't be surprised if the bill is held over for more study and possible compromises. The bill's lead sponsor, Rep. Robert Duchesne, D-Hudson, has said the committee may end up recommending that the idea be studied by a stakeholder group.

Fisk agreed that more discussion may be the outcome of Tuesday's hearing.

"We're not saying this should happen now," Fisk said. "We're just saying we should have the conversation."

ADVISORY: Opponents plan to pack Tuesday land law hearing

MEDIA ADVISORY
April 10, 2009

Contact: Darryl Brown/Owner Main-Land Development Consultants
(207) 897-6752 or darryl@main-landdevelopment.com

Opposition turnout expected to be heavy at land law public hearing
-Up to 40 percent of recently approved projects would be denied under bill-

AUGUSTA- Opponents of a controversial piece of land development legislation plan to pack a public hearing held by the Legislature's Natural Resources Committee this Tuesday. They will be led by Darryl Brown, owner/president of the Livermore Falls based Main-Land Development Consultants, and his entire staff, who have been traveling around the state over the past two months educating stakeholders about the potential impact of LD 1268: An Act To Update the Site Location of Development Laws.

The bill was created by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, but by that agency's own admission, between 20 to 40 percent of non-residential developments reviewed in the last three years would likely have been denied approval had LD 1268 already been in place.

LD 1333: An Act to Establish Climate and Energy Planning will be heard at the same hearing.

WHO: The Maine State Legislator's Natural Resources Committee
Darryl Brown, President/Owner of Main-Land Development Consultants
Staff of Main-Land Development Consultants (including firm engineers)
Maine State Legislators, land developers, Realtors, town planners, etc.

WHAT: Public Hearing before the Natural Resources Committee on Act to Update the Site Location of Development Law –sponsored by Rep. Bob Duchesne (D- Hudson) and Tom Saviello (U-Wilton)

WHERE: Room 214 of the Cross Building
111 Sewall Street, Augusta ME

WHEN: Tuesday, April 14 at 1 p.m.

WHY: If enacted, the Act to Update the Site Location of Development Law would limit large scale non-residential development to designated growth zones as defined by a town's comprehensive plan (nearly 200 Maine municipalities do not have comprehensive plans), urban compact zones, census designated locations (only 25 percent of Maine communities are in these designated areas), or those areas served by public sewer systems. It would also give Maine DEP the authority to require performance bonds, potentially beyond what the municipality may already require, causing a redundancy.

-END-

ABOUT MAIN-LAND DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS
Main-Land Development Consultants has been providing land use planning services including surveying, soils testing, mapping, engineering, permitting and wastewater design to both public and private projects throughout western Maine and beyond since 1974. The company, now in its 35th year, is based in Livermore Falls and can be found online at www.main-landdevelopment.com. For more information, call (207) 897- 6752.

Letter to the Editor: The Irregular (Kingfield)

Following Main-Land Development's March forum in Kingfield on the Act to Update the Site Location of Development Laws, owner Darryl Brown wrote a letter to the editor of the local weekly newspaper, the Original Irregular. The letter, ran in the April 8th edition of the paper, and you can read it in its entirety below, or here on the Irregular's website.

Encourage development, don't discourage it

To the editor:

On behalf of myself and my staff at Main-Land Development Consultants, I'd like to thank the 25 or so concerned citizens who attended our March 26 forum at Webster Hall on the Maine Department of Environmental Protection's proposal to update the Site Location of Development Law and its related rules.

Since we spoke in Kingfield, the bill has been given an LD number (LD 1268: An Act To Update the Site Location of Development Laws) and sent to the Natural Resources Committee, which means that now more than ever, we must be proactive in preventing this limiting legislation from being passed into law.

As I stressed during our presentation, never in my 37 years as a land use consultant have I been more concerned about the consequences of a piece of planning legislation than I am now. Based on our deep understanding of the current site law and our careful review of the proposed changes to it, I truly believe if these new initiatives are implemented, development in Maine will come to a standstill. In these trying economic times, our state leaders must be encouraging thoughtful, responsible growth in our communities, not outlawing it.

Many of the developers our firm works with throughout western Maine also live and recreate in the region, largely because they have a deep appreciation and respect for the area's natural resources. Given this, they are committed to protecting what makes western Maine so special.

Recent growth in the region that has attracted many visitors and the important job and revenue opportunities that are created as a result while concurrently preserving the region's resources is a testament to this. It also illustrates the effectiveness of the development laws already on the books. Sadly, many of the very projects that have been such a boom to the area in the past decade would have been flat-out prohibited under the proposed law and rule changes, without ever having been given a chance for review by the town's planners.

Micromanaging a developer's contractor list or requiring evidence of a loan or line of credit before a project is even approved doesn't fulfill the Maine DEP's stated mission to "protect and enhance the public's right to use and enjoy the State's natural resources." Instead, it ties the hands of those looking to invest in our towns and robs local governmental of the control over their communities.

The fact that so many concerned citizens - -from bankers to builders, town planners to state politicians- - have attended the forums we've put on these past two months around western Maine speaks to the region's clear commitment to its future and the smart growth that will ensure that future is a prosperous one. It is we the people who are the strongest stewards of our communities and as long as we continue to remind Augusta of this —whether by writing letters to our legislators or packing public hearings— it will hopefully remain that way.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at 897-6752 or darryl@main-landdevelopment.com if you have more questions on the potential impact of LD 1268 on the Kingfield area or if you'd like to be kept informed of the bill's progress.

Darryl Brown, President/Owner Main-Land Development Consultants, Livermore Falls

Public hearing for site law changes scheduled!

Since Main-Land spoke at our final forum on our concerns about the proposed changes to the Site Location of Development Law, the bill has been given an LD number (LD 1268: An Act To Update the Site Location of Development Laws) and sent to the Legislature's Natural Resources Committee.

It's there LD 1268 will be given a public hearing on Tuesday, April 14 at 1 p.m. in Room 214 of the Cross Building. Now more than ever, we must be proactive in preventing this limiting legislation from being passed into law. We hope you can attend this hearing and let the committee know what impact this will have on you and your community. Main-Land hopes to help pack this public hearing with those speaking out against the bill and by doing so, send a strong message to Augusta that if these new initiatives are implemented, development in Maine will come to a standstill at a time when we need it most. As we see it, this is not just an issue that should concern Maine's land developers or contractors or town planners, but every single resident who cares about the future viability of our great state.

If you are unable to attend the hearing on April 14, I encourage you to write a letter to your local Legislator and let them know LD 1268 cannot move forward as currently written. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Bob Duchesne (D- Hudson) who can be reached at RepRobert.Duchesne@legislature.maine.gov or at (207) 827-3782 and co-sponsored by Tom Saviello (U-Wilton), who can be reached at RepThomas.Saviello@legislature.maine.gov or (207) 645-3420.

Recently approved projects in Western Maine

While it's our proactive work of getting the word out about the disconcerting impacts of the Act to Update the Site Location of Development Laws that has put Main-Land Development Consultants in the headlines lately (and in towns across western Maine including Bethel, Farmington, Norway, Bridgton, Skowhegan, Auburn and Kingfield), we've been busy surveying, engineering and presenting client projects to planning boards across western Maine.

Here is a look at some of the projects we've secured approval for recently:

•Pleasant Lake Overlook - A 14-lot subdivision off the Powhaten Road in Otisfield received the green light from the town's planning board, as well as DEP Stormwater Management Law approval;

•Great Brook Preserve - An additional five residential lots that are part of this larger 66-lot subdivision off of Route 26 in Newry have been given the go-ahead from that town's planning board;

•And, the Town of Richmond has granted Site Plan Review approval to our client, the Maine Rural Water Association, so they can convert a former residential home into their new offices, which they'll move into from their current location in Brunswick.

Congratulations to these clients and continue checking back on the blog to learn about other projects around western Maine we are working on!

Planners' concerns on Site Law updates in the Morning Sentinel

Last Monday, Main-Land Development Consultants' President/Owner Darryl Brown was invited to give an overview to the town of Farmington's planning board on his concerns about the changes to the Site Location of Development Law. Darryl received this request from the board's chair, who had attended Main-Land's Farmington forum on the site law changes and was very concerned with what he heard. Betty Jespersen, a reporter from the Morning Sentinel who has covered the county for more than two decades, was at that Monday night board meeting, and wrote an extensive story for the Saturday Sentinel about Main-Land's quest to bring awareness to the proposed changes, and the concerns of town planner as to what the impact might be if these updates are approved by the Maine Legislature.

You can link to her story here, or read it below.

Land-use rule bill worries officials
By Betty Jespersen, Morning Sentinel Staff Writer

FARMINGTON -- A proposed change to development rules by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection is a significant concern for the chairman of Farmington's Planning Board.

"The changes are extensive enough ... that we felt there should be more discussion," said Chairman L. Herbert "Bussie" York.

One change would direct large-scale commercial and residential projects -- a pellet mill, a Lowe's Home Center or a 30-plus-lot subdivision -- to be built within a town's commercial center or designated growth area.

That may not be that much of a problem for towns with state-approved comprehensive plans that include established areas for future growth.

Towns without a plan, however, could find the DEP deciding where development should go, according to Darryl Brown, owner of Main-Land Development Inc. of Livermore Falls.

The proposed changes also would increase a development's buffer areas around sensitive land, add more requirements for subdivisions and give the DEP authority to approve or reject site contractors.

Brown spoke before the Planning Board last week. Andrew Fisk, director of the DEP's Bureau of Land & Water Quality, also spoke.

"We are not a lobbying firm ... but we are here to discuss public policy that we do not agree with," Brown said. "Not all the changes proposed are negative, but we have picked out the most onerous, and we feel the negatives far outweigh the positives."

Brown said an example of a project that probably would be rejected under the proposed rule change would be a large residential subdivision in the Carrabassett Valley area.

"The proposed restrictions that would limit that type of development would allow no disturbance of slopes greater than 20 percent," he said. "That would prohibit the construction of many roads across slopes to provide access to higher elevations." Other proposed changes, he said, would limit road and driveway grades to 8 percent. "That is totally unrealistic in mountainous terrain," he said.

"In nearly four decades as a land planner, never have I been more worried about the impact of a piece of legislation than I am now," Brown said.

DEP's Fisk said the agency realizes that significant policy changes are being proposed, "but the vast majority of the rule changes are already in the law."

Under the proposed legislation, if a community has no state-approved local comprehensive plan, large-scale projects could not be permitted in that town, Fisk said.

He said specifics of proposed rule changes, such as in buffers, setbacks and slopes, still are being worked out as public comments come in. He said the law and rules had not been modified for years. The agency decided to do a complete overhaul of the system, rather than doing it piecemeal, to present the public a comprehensive view of the law.

The site development law was created in the 1970s to regulate land development of large projects.

Farmington's code enforcement officer, Steve Kaiser, agrees that the state planning process could use improvement -- such as getting towns more help with their comprehensive plans -- and said he would welcome that change.

"But making such substantial changes to such a long-standing law needs to be thoroughly vetted," Kaiser said. "I think Farmington will be in good shape because we have such good local control. This will be more of a problem in the smaller towns that have not enacted good ordinances."

Brown said the DEP has not done enough to get the word out to landowners, developers, town officials and communities. Meetings the agency held in Augusta and Portland were not well advertised and even his own office was not notified, he said.

Fisk said the public will have a chance to comment at later meetings and hearings.

"This is not about the state seizing authority," he said. "We have had very constructive feedback during these meetings, and we will make changes and come up with responsible rules."

Letter to the Editor of the Bethel Citizen on Site Law changes

Following our forum in Bethel on proposed changes to DEP's site law, Main-Land Development's President/Owner Darryl Brown sent a letter to the editor of the Bethel Citizen, expressing thanks for the outpouring of support we received at the forum, and continuing the call to challenge the MDEP proposal. It ran in the latest edition of the paper.

You can read his letter below, or link to it directly here on the Bethel Citizen's website.

We will continue to write letters to our legislators and local media, and we encourage you to do the same. As we are already seeing, these efforts do make a major difference.

To the Editor,

On behalf of myself and my staff at Main-Land Development Consultants, we’d like to thank the 75 or so concerned citizens who attended our Feb. 25 forum co-sponsored by the Bethel Area Business Association on the Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s proposed revisions to the Site Location of Development Law and its related rules.

As I stressed during our presentation, never in my 37 years as a land use consultant have I been more concerned about the consequences of a piece of planning legislation than I am now. Based on our deep understanding of the current site law and our careful review of the proposed changes to it, I truly believe if these new initiatives are implemented, development in Maine will come to a standstill. In these trying economic times, our state leaders must be encouraging thoughtful, responsible growth in our communities, not outlawing it.

Many of the developers our firm works with throughout western Maine also live and recreate in the region, largely because they have a deep appreciation and respect for the area’s natural resources. Given this, they care just as much as the good folks at the Maine DEP do about protecting what makes western Maine so special. Recent growth in the greater Bethel area that has attracted many visitors and the important job and revenue opportunities that are created as a result while concurrently preserving the region’s resources is a testament to this. It also illustrates the effectiveness of the development laws already on the books. Sadly, many of the very projects that have been such a boom to the Bethel area in the past five years would have been flat-out prohibited under the proposed law and rule changes, without ever having been given a chance for review by the town’s planners.

Micromanaging a developer’s contractor list or requiring evidence of a loan or line of credit before a project is even approved doesn’t fulfill the Maine DEP’s stated mission to “protect and enhance the public’s right to use and enjoy the State’s natural resources.” Instead, it ties the hands of those looking to invest in our towns and robs local government of the control over their communities.

The fact that so many greater Bethel area citizens — from bankers to builders to Planning Board members — attended our forum speaks to the region’s clear commitment to its future and the smart growth that will ensure that future is a prosperous one. It is we the people who are the strongest stewards of our communities and as long as we continue to speak up, it will hopefully remain that way.

Darryl Brown
President/Owner Main-Land Development Consultants

Morning Sentinel showcases Main-Land series on Site Law changes

The Morning Sentinel ran a story in its Saturday paper about our next few forums in central and western Maine on the changes to Site Law. The story also mentions Main-Land Development Consultants' owner/president Darryl Brown's invitation to present the impacts of the proposed changes at the Farmington Planning Board. We are so appreciative of the media coverage we've received thus far in the series and think it reflects just how important responsible land development is to Mainers. This is no small issue and the groundswell of support and interest we've seen around central and western Maine certainly proves that. You can read the article below, or link to it here.

Forums to explain land-use laws
BY BETTY JESPERSEN, Morning Sentinel Staff Writer

Upcoming public forums in Skowhegan and Kingfield and at the next Farmington Planning Board meeting will allow area residents to learn more about significant changes to Maine's land-development policy being proposed by the state's Department of Environmental Protection.

The forums around central and western Maine are being put on by Main-Land Development Consultants, a Livermore Falls-based land planning firm, in response to changes being proposed by the state to the Site Location of Development Law, said Darryl Brown, president/owner of Main-Land.

He said he initiated the series over concerns that the proposed changes to the law and rules could drastically slow down, if not stop, development in the state.

On Monday, the Farmington Planning Board will discuss the proposed changes at their meeting at 7 p.m. at the Farmington Municipal Building at 153 Farmington Falls Road.

The Skowhegan forum will be from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 19 at the Skowhegan Community Center at 39 Poulin Drive. And the Kingfield forum will be held from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 26 at Webster Hall at 38 School St.

The forums are all open to the public; coffee and light refreshments will be provided.

The forums held so far have been attended by town officials, community members, legislators, Realtors, bankers and developers. Representatives from the Maine DEP have also been invited.

Brown was invited to the Farmington Planning Board meeting by Chairman Herbert "Bussie" York.

York attended the forum held in Farmington earlier this month and said he found the changes so concerning that he asked Brown to meet with the town's planners and other officials including selectmen.

The Act to Update the Site Location of Development Law, sponsored by Rep. Bob Duchesne (D-Hudson), is expected to be taken up by the Legislature this session, said Brown.

If enacted, it would limit large-scale, non-residential development to designated growth zones, urban compact zones, U.S. Census-designated growth areas or those areas served by public sewer. Meanwhile, if a residential development larger than 30 acres is proposed outside these zones, it would be classified as a "conservation subdivision" and at least 55 percent of the land area would have to be preserved, Brown said.

The law changes would also prohibit the disturbances of slopes 20 percent or greater, which could limit projects in Maine's mountainous regions and it would give the state the authority to review proposed project contractors.

MLDC's Site Law forum series: Next stop in Skowhegan

Skowhegan forum to consider impact of proposed land development law changes
The event is being put on by the Livermore Falls based Main-Land Development Consultants

SKOWHEGAN- An upcoming public forum will allow area residents to learn more about massive reforms to Maine's land development policy being proposed by the state's Department of Environmental Protection.

The March 19 forum is the fifth in a series of seven forums around central and western Maine being put on by Main-Land Development Consultants-a Livermore Falls-based land planning firm - in response to controversial changes being proposed by the Maine DEP to the Site Location of Development Law.

Darryl Brown, president/owner of Main-Land and a former legislator, said he initiated the series over concerns that the proposed changes to the law and rules related to it could drastically slow down - if not all together stop - development in the state. Each of the first four forums has been attended by dozens of people, including members of the Maine Legislature, town officials, Realtors, bankers, developers and even representatives from the Maine DEP.

The Act to Update the Site Location of Development Law, sponsored by Rep. Bob Duchesne (D- Hudson), does not yet have an LD (legislative document) number but is expected to be taken up this session, says Brown.

If enacted, it would limit large scale non-residential development to designated growth zones, urban compact zones, census designated areas or those areas served by public sewer systems. Meanwhile, if a residential development larger than 30 acres is proposed outside these zones, that development would be classified as a conservation subdivision, requiring the preservation of at least 55 percent of the land area.

The law changes would also prohibit the disturbances of slopes 20 percent or greater, which could limit projects in Maine's mountainous regions, especially in the western part of the state, and give the state the authority to review proposed project contractors.

"In nearly four decades as a land planner, never have I been more worried about the impact of a piece of legislation than I am now," explained Brown, who along with engineers from his firm, will be presenting an overview of the DEP's proposal and its potential impacts on western Maine at the forum. "This would essentially prohibit development in rural Maine and the jobs and revenue it brings. In these trying economic times, we should be encouraging investment in our communities, not legislatively preventing it."

DEP has held informational meetings on its plan in Portland and Augusta, which Brown and his staff attended, but he says many western Maine small business owners didn't know about those meetings, or have the time to go to. He hopes through the forums, stakeholders will be educated about the law and rules changes that are proposed, and be empowered to participate in future public hearings when the state Legislature considers the act later this session.

"We want these forums to be educational, not accusatory," stressed Brown. "From our perspective, there are both positive and negative portions of the MDEP's proposal and it is our objective to simply present to people potential impacts of the changes in their area so that if they wish, they can be an informed voice in the process of developing this public policy that will shape the landscape of Maine's future."

The forum will be held from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 19 at the Skowhegan Community Center at 39 Poulin Drive. It is open to the public and coffee and light refreshments will be provided.

Subsequent forums will be held in Auburn (March 24) and Kingfield (March 26).

For more information, contact Darryl Brown at 897-6752 or darryl@main-landdevelopment.com.

ABOUT MAIN-LAND DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS
Main-Land Development Consultants has been providing land use planning services including surveying, soils testing, mapping, engineering, permitting and wastewater design to both public and private projects throughout western Maine and beyond since 1974. The company, now in its 35th year, is based in Livermore Falls and can be found online at www.main-landdevelopment.com. For more information, call (207) 897- 6752.

Main-Land invited to speak at Farmington Planning Board meeting

Main-Land's President Darryl Brown to present impact of proposed land development law changes to Farmington Planning Board

FARMINGTON- Upon the invitation of Farmington Planning Board Chairman Bussie York, Darryl Brown, president/owner of the Livermore Falls based Main-Land Development Consultants (MLDC), will give a guest presentation to that board at its Monday evening meeting considering the impact on Franklin County of revisions to the Site Location Development Law being proposed by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

Brown and engineers from his firm have been traveling throughout western Maine for the past two months giving a series of presentations in an effort to educate people about the MDEP proposal, which they believe if enacted this session by the Maine Legislature will drastically slow down- if not altogether stop- development in Maine. Following their forum in Farmington earlier this month, York, who was in attendance, found the changes so concerning that he asked Brown to come share them with the town's planners and other officials including selectmen.

WHO: Darryl Brown, President/Owner of Main-Land Development Consultants; the Farmington Planning Board; and other Farmington town officials.

WHAT: Presentation on the Act to Update the Site Location of Development Law –sponsored by Rep. Bob Duchesne (D- Hudson)– and its impacts on Franklin County.

WHERE: Farmington Town Office basement

WHEN: 7 p.m. Monday, March 16 (Agenda item #4)

WHY: If enacted, the Act to Update the Site Location of Development Law would limit large scale non-residential development to designated growth zones, urban compact zones, census designated areas or those areas served by public sewer systems. It would also prohibit the disturbances of slopes 20 percent or greater, limiting projects in Maine's mountainous regions, and give MDEP the authority to approve or reject site contractors selected for project construction.

Bethel Citizen profiles MLDC site law forum and potential impact

Alison Aloisio, a reporter from the Bethel Citizen who wrote a great story in advance of our first forum in Bethel on the potential impact of changes to the Site Location of Development Law, has followed that up with this - a very informative piece profiling that presentation.

For those who were unable to attend our forum in Bethel or who simply want a better understanding of this complex issue, Alison's story is a must read, as it provides an overview of our presentation and gives an in-depth look at what the potential impact of these proposed changes could be, both literally in terms of what the laws and rules will allow, and indirectly, through the loss of economic and cultural investment in our communities.

You can link to her story here, or read it below:

Business group blasts DEP's proposed new growth regs
By Alison Aloisio, The Bethel Citizen

“In these economic times, how sensible is this?” asked Darryl Brown of Main-Land Development Consultants.

Brown posed the question last week at a Bethel forum of developers, contractors and others who are worried about proposed changes to state land use laws and rules.

The gathering, which drew about 100 people, was organized by Main-Land and the Bethel Area Business Association.

The changes, proposed by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, would tighten restrictions within the Site Location of Development Law.

The law governs medium and large-scale development, both commercial and residential.

Brown said stricter rules would “dramatically slow down, if not stop, major development in the state of Maine. I don’t think any time is a good time for these changes to occur. But especially now. It blows my mind that a state agency would even consider these kinds of changes in the economic climate that we’re in.”

The proposed changes are so sweeping, others at the meeting said, that several existing large hillside subdivisions in this area would not have been possible had the rules already been in place.

Some of the rule changes proposed would limit road grades to 8 percent, and prevent disturbing the land on slopes over 20 percent. Clearing within 250 feet of ridgelines would be prohibited.

“Under these rules, you’d have no Peaks, no Merrill Hill, no Locke Mountain, no Timber Creek, no Powder Ridge,” said developer Ron Savage. “Those subdivisions would be non-existent. You couldn’t do it.”

Also raising the ire of attendees were rule change proposals including:

1) A provision giving DEP the authority to consider a developer’s “prior conduct” in reviewing permit applications. Previous violations resulting in enforcement actions could trigger a requirement that the developer show specifically how he will ensure the project will meet state environmental standards, such as by providing a performance bond.

2) A limit of 5,000 square feet for a residential lot building envelope (the dimension includes the home, driveway and space to conduct construction operations). Main-Land presenters said such restrictions would result in a typical house size of 20x35, with a 20x20 garage and a 10x60 driveway.

3) A limit on large-scale, non-residential development to designated growth zones, urban compact zones, census designated areas or those areas served by public sewer systems. And if a residential development larger than 30 acres is proposed outside these zones, that development would be classified as a conservation subdivision, requiring the preservation of at least 55 percent of the land area.

4) Requirements to provide more vegetative buffers.

5) A requirement that proposed developments may not have an “unreasonable impact on a scenic resource.” Presenters said the requirement was poorly defined.

The presenters praised some portions of the proposals, including clarification of existing rules and simplification of permits for minor modifications to projects.

Rick Savage said current DEP requirements are already so complex that developers and contractors have a hard time following them.

He said his lawyer had looked at a subdivision Savage was working on and commented on the difficulty in pinpointing lot locations within the rule requirements.

“My lawyer looked at it and said, ‘I don’t know how you figure it out at all,’” Savage said.

Transparency

Brown said that in addition to the proposed changes themselves, there had been a lack of transparency in the proposal process.

Public informational meetings that took place in Maine’s cities were advertised “hardly at all,” Brown said. “The word isn’t being gotten out.”

He also said there had been little explanation for the proposed changes.

The law-change portion of the proposals is expected to go before the Legislature during the current session, and Brown encouraged those interested to request and attend public hearings, as well as contact their legislators.

DEP response

James Cassida, DEP’s licensing coordinator for the Bureau of Land & Water Quality, was asked to comment Tuesday on some of the concerns highlighted at the forum.

Regarding the purpose for the changes, Cassida said, “There is a clear connection between state and local decision making envisioned in the Site Law, and as municipal decision making in the form of local planning evolves, so too should the Site Location of Development Act. There is a reasonable need to routinely revisit the basis and requirements of land use law at the state and local level in order to ensure that Maine’s quality of place and economy grow and improve together.”

Cassida said the limitation regarding disturbance of 20 percent slopes would prevent development “where it is very difficult to stabilize roads and lots, both short term and long term. The concept was that developers would avoid placing structures such as roads and houses in the areas of greater than 20 percent grade, but could otherwise develop around these areas. We are currently looking at this standard closely to ensure that it does not unduly limit the ability of developments to occur in mountain regions.”

Regarding the 8 percent grade limit on roads, Cassida said that the current rules state that road grades must be kept below 10 percent, except for short distances where grade may exceed 10 percent. “In the new rule we have added the language “unless otherwise approved by the department,” which, we believe, creates greater flexibility than the existing rule for developers.”

Regarding the presenters’ example of the 5,000-square-foot limit on a building envelope, Cassida said, “there is 3,300 square feet of development that can still occur beyond those structures. Therefore, it is misleading to say that with a 5,000-square-foot development window can only result in a house, garage and driveway of that size on a lot. The 5,000-square-foot limit on development windows is intended to encourage developments to limit the overall footprint within residential subdivisions. We are currently looking at this standard as well to ensure that it does not unduly limit the ability of developments to occur in a reasonable manner.”

As for the timing of the proposed changes, Cassida said, “the department is very interested in ensuring that conversations regarding development standards and requirements occur with the state of the local and national economy in mind. These are discussion draft proposals that are worthy of spirited and thoughtful debate. Good development done well is a valuable asset for the property owner as well as the Maine economy.”

DEP web site

In early September 2008, a notice of the proposed changes appeared on the DEP website.

A Web page was titled, “Invitation to participate in the Site Location of Development Law — Discussion Open Forum.”

The invitation said that DEP was exploring statutory and rule changes “in consideration of current state, regional and national environmental initiatives.

“The process may involve statutory changes pertaining to broad issues such as climate change, smart growth incentives, and design criteria as well as significant edits to current rules to clarify department policies which are currently in place.

“… a series of open discussion forums have been scheduled to gather input that will help the department better understand the needs and concerns of developers, contractors, consultants and planners.

“We encourage broad public participation, and look forward to your participation.”

Contact information and a schedule of public forums for early October followed.

More information on the bill is available at www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/docstand/sitelaw/2009/index.htm.

Main-Land names Charles Buker Chief of Surveying

LIVERMORE FALLS- Charles Buker, a surveyor at Main-Land Development Consultants, has been promoted to chief of surveying.

In his new position, Buker, 28, is responsible for overseeing the firm's seven-person survey crew as they complete survey work throughout Franklin, Oxford, Somerset and Kennebec counties. In addition to coordinating surveyor schedules, he also performs boundary and topographic surveys and assists Main-Land engineers in site design.

He is the firm's youngest-ever chief of surveying.

Buker joined Main-Land in 2002 as a survey technician, directly following his graduation from the University of Maine with a Bachelor of Science degree. He is a member of the Maine Society of Land Surveyors and the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping.

“As chief of surveying, Charles will provide our company's clients a consistent and informed point of contact who will ensure expedited and accurate resolution of all land survey inquiries,” said Darryl Brown, president of Main-Land Development Consultants. "Having grown up in Androscoggin County and graduating from the University of Maine at Orono makes Charles a particularly valuable member of our team as he understands and appreciates the places where our clients are planning projects."

A graduate of Edward Little High School, Buker and his wife, Whitney, live in Auburn.

Click here to read more about our surveying services or to contact Charles about a potential western Maine survey project. And here to see the story in the Lewiston Sun Journal.

ABOUT MAIN-LAND DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS
Main-Land Development Consultants has been providing land use planning services including surveying, soils testing, mapping, engineering, permitting and wastewater design to both public and private projects throughout western Maine and beyond since 1974. The company, now in its 35th year, is based in Livermore Falls and can be found online at www.main-landdevelopment.com. For more information, call (207) 897- 6752.

MLDC's Site Law forum series: Next stop in Bridgton

Bridgton forum to consider impact of proposed land development law changes
The event is being put on by the Livermore Falls based Main-Land Development Consultants

BRIDGTON- An upcoming public forum will allow area residents to learn more about massive reforms to Maine's land development policy being proposed by the state's Department of Environmental Protection.

The March 17 forum is the fourth in a series of seven forums around western Maine being put on by Main-Land Development Consultants-a Livermore Falls-based land planning firm - in response to the Maine DEP's proposed changes to the Site Location of Development Law.

75 people attended the first forum in the series, held in Bethel on February 25.

Darryl Brown, president/owner of Main-Land and a former legislator, said he initiated the series over concerns that the proposed changes to the law and rules related to it could drastically slow down - if not all together stop - development in the state.

The Act to Update the Site Location of Development Law, sponsored by Rep. Bob Duchesne (D- Hudson), does not yet have an LD (legislative document) number but is expected to be taken up this session, says Brown.

If enacted, it would limit large scale non-residential development to designated growth zones, urban compact zones, census designated areas or those areas served by public sewer systems. Meanwhile, if a residential development larger than 30 acres is proposed outside these zones, that development would be classified as a conservation subdivision, requiring the preservation of at least 55 percent of the land area.

The law changes would also prohibit the disturbances of slopes 20 percent or greater, which could limit projects in Maine's mountainous regions, and give the state the authority to review proposed project contractors.

"In nearly four decades as a land planner, never have I been more worried about the impact of a piece of legislation than I am now," explained Brown, who along with engineers from his firm, will be presenting an overview of the DEP's proposal and its potential impacts on western Maine at the forum. "This would essentially prohibit development in rural Maine and the jobs and revenue it brings. In these trying economic times, we should be encouraging investment in our communities, not legislatively preventing it."

DEP has held informational meetings on its plan in Portland and Augusta, which Brown and his staff attended, but he says many western Maine small business owners didn't know about those meetings, or have the time to go to. He hopes through the forums, stakeholders will be educated about the law and rules changes that are proposed, and be empowered to participate in future public hearings when the state Legislature considers the act later this session.

"We want these forums to be educational, not accusatory," stressed Brown. "From our perspective, there are both positive and negative portions of the MDEP's proposal and it is our objective to simply present to people potential impacts of the changes in their area so that if they wish, they can be an informed voice in the process of developing this public policy that will shape the landscape of Maine's future."

The forum will be held from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17 at the Bridgton Town Office at 3 Chase Street. It is open to the public and coffee and light refreshments will be provided.

Subsequent forums will be held in Skowhegan (March 19), Auburn (March 24) and Kingfield (March 26).

For more information, contact Darryl Brown at 897-6752 or darryl@main-landdevelopment.com.

ABOUT MAIN-LAND DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS
Main-Land Development Consultants has been providing land use planning services including surveying, soils testing, mapping, engineering, permitting and wastewater design to both public and private projects throughout western Maine and beyond since 1974. The company, now in its 35th year, is based in Livermore Falls and can be found online at www.main-landdevelopment.com. For more information, call (207) 897- 6752.

Site Law forum series featured in Lewiston Sun Journal

Reporter Leslie Dixon from the Lewiston Sun Journal did a great job letting that paper's Oxford Hills readers know about our Site Law impact forum series

Here is her story, which ran in March 3, 2009 issue of the Sun Journal (You can also see it here on the Sun Journal's website if you missed the printed version):

Site development change subject of forums
By Leslie H. Dixon , Staff Writer

NORWAY - The impact of proposed legislation designed to limit large-scale nonresidential development to specific areas will be the topic of public forums this month in Norway, Bridgton, Auburn and Kingfield.

If enacted, the Act to Update the Site Location of Development Law would limit large scale nonresidential development to designated growth zones, urban compact zones, census designated areas or those areas served by public sewer systems, according to Darryl Brown, president of the Main-Land Development Consultants of Livermore Falls.

The legislation and would also prohibit disturbance of slopes 20 percent or greater, limiting projects in Maine's mountainous regions, and give the Department of Environmental Protection the authority to approve or reject site contractors selected for project construction.

It is sponsored by Rep. Bob Duchesne, D-Hudson,

"We're not trying to be confrontational," Brown said Monday. "That's not our goal. Our goal is to educate. Very few people knew this was happening."

Local officials, including town managers, Planning Board members, and others such as builders and attorneys have been invited to the first forum from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Friday, at the Norway Legion Hall on Main Street.

Forums are also scheduled for Bridgton on March 17, Auburn on March 24 and Kingfield March 26.

Brown said the proposed amendment to the existing site laws developed in the 1970s would require developments of certain size be restricted to specific areas such as growth areas. "There are some 200 towns that don't even have comprehensive plans," said Brown of the step towns must take before a growth area can be designated.

For example, he said, if Lowe's wanted to locate in Waterford it would be impossible under the pending legislation because Waterford has no urban compact zone, growth area or public sewer. Norway and Paris have public sewer, but it is not far reaching, making development difficult, he said.

Brown said the legislation also proposed that if a developer can not place a residential subdivision in a growth area, it can be placed outside of one but only if 55 percent of the land area is donated to open space or conservation land.

In addition to Brown, Tom DuBois and Bob Berry, engineers at Main Land Development Consultants will be at the forum.

MLDC's Site Law forum series: Next stop in Norway/South Paris

WHO: Darryl Brown, President/Owner of Main-Land Development Consultants; Tom DuBois and Bob Berry, Engineers at MLDC; and area developers, Realtors, town officials, etc.

WHAT: Presentation on the Act to Update the Site Location of Development Law –sponsored by Rep. Bob Duchesne (D- Hudson)– and its impacts to the western Maine region and beyond followed by public discussion.

WHERE: Norway Legion Hall, 82 Main Street in Norway

WHEN: 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Friday, March 6

WHY: If enacted, the Act to Update the Site Location of Development Law would limit large scale non-residential development to designated growth zones, urban compact zones, census designated areas or those areas served by public sewer systems. It would also prohibit the disturbances of slopes 20 percent or greater, limiting projects in Maine's mountainous regions, and give MDEP the authority to approve or reject site contractors selected for project construction.

Norway/South Paris forum to consider impact of proposed land development law changes
The event is being put on by the Livermore Falls based Main-Land Development Consultants

NORWAY- An upcoming public forum will allow area residents to learn more about massive reforms to Maine's land development policy being proposed by the state's Department of Environmental Protection.

The March 6 forum is the third in a series of seven forums around western Maine being put on by Main-Land Development Consultants-a Livermore Falls-based land planning firm - in response to the Maine DEP's proposed changes to the Site Location of Development Law.

75 people attended the first forum in the series, held in Bethel on February 25.

Darryl Brown, president/owner of Main-Land and a former legislator, said he initiated the series over concerns that the proposed changes to the law and rules related to it could drastically slow down - if not all together stop - development in the state.

The Act to Update the Site Location of Development Law, sponsored by Rep. Bob Duchesne (D- Hudson), does not yet have an LD (legislative document) number but is expected to be taken up this session, says Brown.

If enacted, it would limit large scale non-residential development to designated growth zones, urban compact zones, census designated areas or those areas served by public sewer systems. Meanwhile, if a residential development larger than 30 acres is proposed outside these zones, that development would be classified as a conservation subdivision, requiring the preservation of at least 55 percent of the land area.

The law changes would also prohibit the disturbances of slopes 20 percent or greater, which could limit projects in Maine's mountainous regions, like the greater Norway/South Paris area.

"In nearly four decades as a land planner, never have I been more worried about the impact of a piece of legislation than I am now," explained Brown, who along with engineers from his firm, will be presenting an overview of the DEP's proposal and its potential impacts on western Maine at the forum. "This would essentially prohibit development in rural Maine and the jobs and revenue it brings. In these trying economic times, we should be encouraging investment in our communities, not legislatively preventing it."

DEP has held informational meetings on its plan in Portland and Augusta, which Brown and his staff attended, but he says many western Maine small business owners didn't know about those meetings, or have the time to go to. He hopes through the forums, stakeholders will be educated about the law and rules changes that are proposed, and be empowered to participate in future public hearings when the state Legislature considers the act later this session.

"We want these forums to be educational, not accusatory," stressed Brown. "From our perspective, there are both positive and negative portions of the MDEP's proposal and it is our objective to simply present to people potential impacts of the changes in their area so that if they wish, they can be an informed voice in the process of developing this public policy that will shape the landscape of Maine's future."

The forum will be held from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Friday, March 6 at the Norway Legion Hall at 82 Main Street. It is open to the public and coffee and light refreshments will be provided.

Subsequent forums will be held in Bridgton (March 17), Skowhegan (March 19), Auburn (March 24) and Kingfield (March 26).

For more information, contact Darryl Brown at 897-6752 or darryl@main-landdevelopment.com.

ABOUT MAIN-LAND DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS
Main-Land Development Consultants has been providing land use planning services including surveying, soils testing, mapping, engineering, permitting and wastewater design to both public and private projects throughout western Maine and beyond since 1974. The company, now in its 35th year, is based in Livermore Falls and can be found online at www.main-landdevelopment.com. For more information, call (207) 897- 6752.

Bethel forum on proposed Site Location Law changes draws 75

75 concerned citizens from bankers to business owners, Realtors to contractors crowded the Bethel Inn Conference Center on Wednesday morning to hear Main-Land's presentation on the potential impacts of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection's proposed changes to the Site Location of Development Law.

Main-Land President/Owner Darryl Brown told attendees that "In the 37 years I've been doing this, I've never heard of any changes that are more sweeping than these. If enacted as proposed, this could dramatically slow down or altogether stop development in Maine."

Especially given the trying times the state and the country is facing economically, "This is absolutely the wrong time for a proposal like this to see the light of day," he stressed.

Of particular concern is that if enacted, the changes to the Site Location of Development Law would limit large scale non-residential development to designated growth zones, urban compact zones, census designated areas or those areas served by public sewer systems. It would also require the preservation of at least 55 percent of the land area within residential subdivisions larger than 30 acres and prohibit the disturbances of slopes 20 percent or greater.

Attendees of the Bethel forum, which is the first of seven in the series Main-Land is sponsoring, were also particularly concerned with a provision in the proposed act to update the law that would allow MDEP to approve or reject site contractors selected by an applicant for project construction.

In a question-and-answer session following Main-Land's presentation, several attendees commended the company for being proactive in educating those who would most be impacted by the law about its affects.

Main-Land's next forum on this issue will be held from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3 in Farmington at the Fairbanks Meeting House. You can read our press release announcing that event here in the Morning Sentinel and here on the Daily Bulldog (an online news source for Franklin County). There will also be a forum next Friday in Norway/South Paris at the Norway Legion Hall, also beginning at 8 a.m. All are welcome to attend.

And, you can click here to read coverage of our Bethel forum in the Lewiston Sun Journal.

Main-Land survey crew hard at work in Bethel

In our ongoing efforts to update our new website which launched last week, I recently headed out into the field to shoot some of our Main-Land survey crew working over in the Bethel area. Despite the two plus feet of snow that had fallen earlier in the week, the crew was hard at work setting pins for their latest project.

Here is Roman...





And Scott...



If you are looking for a land surveyor in western Maine from Rangeley to Rumford, Bethel to Bridgton to Belgrade, we encourage you to contact our chief of surveying, Chuck Buker.

Main-Land hockey team in the New England Pond Hockey Fest

Main-Land Development Consultant had its hockey team skate to a quarterfinals finish in the third annual New England Pond Hockey festival, held in Rangeley from February 6-8. The team made went 3-0 in its first three games to qualify for the quarterfinals, where they lost to the Old Clippers, the team that went on to win the tourney. The Main-Land team includes (from left to right): Mike Pomerleau, of Lewiston; John Aube, of Lewiston; Andy Dube, an employee of Main-Land who lives in Kent's Hill and is the team captain; Mike Saucier, of Winthrop; Laurie Bourgeois, of Hallowell; and Trevor Campbell, of Lewiston. Congratulations!!!

Main-Land and owner Darryl Brown featured as success story in Livermore Falls Advertiser/Franklin Journal

Our hometown newspaper - the Livermore Falls Advertiser- did a wonderful feature in this week's paper on Main-Land Development Consultants and how the company has grown in its nearly 35 years. The story, which featured an interview with our owner/president Darryl Brown, also was published in the Franklin Journal. We're so grateful for the opportunity to share our story and we think LFA reporter Barry Matulaitis did a fine job, really capturing how our company is a very modern one with the latest technology yet still retains a family business feel where you know a real person will pick up the phone (and it might even be Darryl)! Enjoy!

Main-Land sponsored forum featured in the Bethel Citizen

The Bethel Citizen published a great story in advance of our Wednesday, Feb. 25 forum about the proposed Act to Update the Site Location of Development Law at the Bethel Inn Conference Center that we're putting on in conjunction with the Bethel Area Business Association. Read the story on their website here, or below.

And remember, this forum, which begins at 8 a.m. is open to the public and we'd love to see you there. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided. Call us at 207.897.6752 or email darryl@main-landdevelopment.com with any questions.

Forum here next week on proposed tightening of DEP land-use restrictions
By Alison Aloisio of the Bethel Citizen

A public forum will take place Wednesday in Bethel on a bill before the Maine Legislature that includes restrictions on the construction of roads to hillside developments, and on the layout of some residential developments larger than 30 acres.

The bill, proposed by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, would update the Site Location of Development Law.

The law regulates medium-to-large-scale development in the state.

The proposed updates have raised concerns among some development-related businesses and have prompted one of them, Main-Land Development Consultants Inc. of Livermore Falls, to hold a series of forums in western Maine.

The Feb. 25 Bethel meeting, which will take place from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Bethel Inn Conference Center, is co-hosted with the Bethel Area Business Association.

In a press release dated Monday Darryl Brown, the president/owner of Main-Land, voiced his worries about some of the bill’s proposals:

“If enacted, it would limit large-scale non-residential development to designated growth zones, urban compact zones, census designated areas or those areas served by public sewer systems.

“Meanwhile, if a residential development larger than 30 acres is proposed outside these zones, that development would be classified as a conservation subdivision, requiring the preservation of at least 55 percent of the land area.

“The law changes would also prohibit the disturbances of slopes 20 percent or greater, limiting projects in Maine’s mountainous regions, like the greater Bethel area.

“In nearly four decades as a land planner, never have I been more worried about the impact of a piece of legislation than I am now. This would essentially prohibit development in rural Maine and the jobs and revenue it brings.

“In these trying economic times, we should be encouraging investment in our communities, not legislatively preventing it.”

DEP response

Jim Cassida, the licensing coordinator for DEP’s Division of Land Resource Regulation, acknowledged that the bill currently includes wording requiring the preservation of at least 55 percent of the land in some developments larger than 30 acres.

But, he said, “I think we’ll see a lot of discussion about that number. Where we end up could be some place different.”

Cassida said towns that currently have conservation subdivision ordinances requiring such preservation are “all over the map” with their percentages.

But, said Cassida, “Fifty-five is high compared to most.”

As for restrictions aimed at development on steep slopes and ridgelines, Cassida said the bill would not prevent such development, but would limit the design of the roads leading to it.

The intent, he said, is to prevent roads that go “straight up the mountainside.”

Such roads minimize the land area taken up with infrastructure and allow a developer to create more lots, said Cassida.

But roads with lesser grades that follow a more meandering route would generally fit into a hillside environment better.

Other changes

Other parts of the bill include a change in the groundwater standard that replaces a requirement to avoid an unreasonable risk of discharge to a “significant ground water aquifer,” with a requirement to avoid an unreasonable risk of discharge to “ground water;” as well as the repeals of current exceptions for lots of more than 40 and 500 acres in the definition of “subdivision.”

Cassida said DEP welcomes public input on the bill, and anyone wishing to be added to an e-mail list providing updated information on it can contact him at james.cassida@maine.gov.

More information on the bill is currently available on the DEP website at www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/docstand/sitelaw/2009/index.htm.

Main-Land's new website is live!

After months of work, we're thrilled that the new Main-Land Development Consultants website has finally launched!

Created by talented local web designer Heather Peel, of Foliage Web Design in Fayette, our new site allows us to better showcase our services, our past projects and the Main-Land team. More importantly, it allows our clients and potential clients to easily find the information they need, whether it is the email address for their Main-Land contact person or a downloadable agent authorization form to ensure their project moves along right on schedule.

We hope you enjoy the new site. Make sure to bookmark it (www.main-landdevelopment.com) and visit often to see the latest project news and views.

Main-Land Launches Seven-Part Series to Educate Western Maine on Proposed Planning Policy Changes

Bethel forum to focus on proposed land planning policy changes
The event is co-hosted by Main-Land Development Consultants and the Bethel Area Business Association

BETHEL- An upcoming public forum will allow area residents to learn more about massive reforms to Maine's land development policy being proposed by the state's Department of Environmental Protection.

The February 25 forum, co-hosted by the Bethel Area Business Association and Main-Land Development Consultants, is the first in a series of seven forums around western Maine being put on by Main-Land –a Livermore Falls-based land planning firm – in response to the Maine DEP's proposed changes to the Site Location of Development Law.

Darryl Brown, president/owner of Main-Land and a former legislator, said he initiated the series over concerns that the proposed changes to the law and rules related to it could drastically slow down – if not all together stop – development in the state.

The Act to Update the Site Location of Development Law, sponsored by Rep. Bob Duchesne (D- Hudson), does not yet have an LD (legislative document) number but is expected to be taken up this session, says Brown.

If enacted, it would limit large scale non-residential development to designated growth zones, urban compact zones, census designated areas or those areas served by public sewer systems. Meanwhile, if a residential development larger than 30 acres is proposed outside these zones, that development would be classified as a conservation subdivision, requiring the preservation of at least 55 percent of the land area.

The law changes would also prohibit the disturbances of slopes 20 percent or greater, limiting projects in Maine's mountainous regions, like the greater Bethel area.

“In nearly four decades as a land planner, never have I been more worried about the impact of a piece of legislation than I am now,” explained Brown, who along with engineers from his firm, will be presenting an overview of the DEP's proposal and its potential impacts on the Bethel region at the forum. “This would essentially prohibit development in rural Maine and the jobs and revenue it brings. In these trying economic times, we should be encouraging investment in our communities, not legislatively preventing it.”

DEP has held informational meetings on its plan in Portland and Augusta, which Brown and his staff attended, but he says many western Maine small business owners didn't know about those meetings, or have the time to go to. He hopes through the forums, stakeholders will be educated about the law and rules changes that are proposed, and be empowered to participate in future public hearings when the state Legislature considers the act later this session.

“We want these forums to be educational, not accusatory,” stressed Brown. “From our perspective, there are both positive and negative portions of the MDEP's proposal and it is our objective to simply present to people potential impacts of the changes in their area so that if they wish, they can be an informed voice in the process of developing this public policy that will shape the landscape of Maine's future.”

The forum will be held from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at the Bethel Inn Conference Center. It is open to the public and coffee and light refreshments will be provided.

Subsequent forums will be held in Farmington (March 3), South Paris (March 6), Bridgton (March 17), Skowhegan (March 19), Auburn (March 24) and Kingfield (March 26).

For more information, contact Darryl Brown at 897-6752 or darryl@main-landdevelopment.com.

ABOUT MAIN-LAND DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS
Main-Land Development Consultants has been providing land use planning services including surveying, soils testing, mapping, engineering, permitting and wastewater design to both public and private projects throughout western Maine and beyond since 1974. The company, now in its 35th year, is based in Livermore Falls and can be found online at www.main-landdevelopment.com. For more information, call (207) 897- 6752.

Main-Land in the Media

The release we sent out last week about MLDC's owner/president Darryl Brown's appointment as chair to the UMaine Foundation's board has been appearing in media outlets around western Maine.

The Lewiston Sun Journal ran the story here in late February. The firm's local paper, the Livermore Falls Advertiser, ran the release on Page 6 of their Thursday, Feb. 12 issue and the release also appeared online on the Daily Bulldog, an online news source for Franklin County. We expect the release to appear in other area papers soon so keep an eye out for it.

Thanks to our friends in the media for the coverage! And congratulations to Darryl again for this honor.

UMaine Foundation Board Chooses Darryl Brown as Chair

The Livermore Falls man is a former legislator and owner of MLDC

ORONO- A longtime Livermore Falls businessman and former legislator has been chosen to chair the board of the University of Maine Foundation.

Darryl Brown, the owner of Main-Land Development Consultants, was unanimously elected to head the board for the foundation, a private on-profit organization dedicated to securing and stewarding private gifts and grants to benefit the University of Maine and its students.

Brown, who grew up in Richmond and attended the University of Maine thanks to scholarships he received from the foundation, earned both a Bachelor of Science in Soil Sciences degree in 1966 and a Masters in Agronomy degree in 1969 from the university.

This is his third consecutive year on the nine-person volunteer board which he now chairs.

In his new position, Brown will lead the board's meetings and sit on all board committees, including the investment committee.

“As a seasoned board member, Darryl brings strong leadership and experience to the Foundation along with the unique perspective that comes from being Maine small business owner,” said Amos Orcutt, CEO of the foundation.

“Darryl knows first-hand the difference a scholarship can make to a student, especially during these difficult financial times, and his work as the chair of the board will be felt by students and faculty of the University of Maine for generations- it will brighten a lot of lives.”

Brown's devotion to the university extends beyond his work on the board. At Main-Land Development Consultants, the Livermore Falls-based land planning firm he founded 35 years ago and now heads as president, six of the company's employees in addition to Brown are graduates of the University of Maine, including Main-Land's general manager, its two lead engineers and the chief of surveying.

“As an alumnus of the University of Maine and now a Maine small business owner, I've seen that the vitality of the school is linked directly to that of the state,” explained Brown. “Given the volatility of the markets and the economy in these extraordinary times, it has never been more important to invest in this institution.”

Brown, who represented House District 81 in the Maine State Legislator for four straight terms in the 1970s and 1980s, has also chaired the boards of the Franklin Community Health Network and Franklin Memorial Hospital in the past, and remains an active board member in both. He also been a long-standing member of the board of directors for both the Maine Rural Water Association and the National Rural Water Association, of which he is former national president.

Brown and his wife, Penny, live in Livermore Falls. He has four grown children.

ABOUT MAIN-LAND DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS
Main-Land Development Consultants has been providing land use planning services including surveying, soils testing, mapping, engineering, permitting and wastewater design to both public and private projects throughout western Maine and beyond since 1974. The company, now in its 35th year, is based in Livermore Falls and can be found online at www.main-landdevelopment.com. For more information, call (207) 897- 6752.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE FOUNDATION
The University of Maine Foundation is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1934 to encourage gifts and bequests to promote academic achievement, foster research and elevate intellectual pursuits at the University of Maine in Orono and other charitable organizations. The Foundation manages more than 1,200 named endowment funds and has assets as of June 30, 2008 totaling nearly $185 million, including over 7,350 acres of forest land held for the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture, and annually distributes earnings providing private support as determined by its donors for University programs, students and faculty. The Foundation has offices in both Orono and South Portland, and can be found online at www.umainefoundation.org.

Welcome to the Main-Land Development Consultants Blog

Welcome to the new blog for Main- Land Development Consultants, a western Maine land planning firm based in Livermore Falls. We've got many great stories to share about our Main-Land family, and we'll do so here, so check back often for the latest company news.