Working with Municipalities

The MtA2C project area spans the six towns of Ogunquit, Wells, South Berwick, York, Eliot, and Kittery. Each of these towns has set forth conservation goals in its Comprehensive Plan, a document that identifies the town’s vision, goals, and work plan. MtA2C’s Coordinator, Jodi Castallo, has fully assessed each town’s Plan, identifying overlaps between town and MtA2C conservation goals. In partnership with municipal officials, the Coalition is achieving the following:

• Developing land use maps showing current and proposed zoning in relation to regional natural resources
• Build out analyses for each town depicting expected locations for new homes under current zoning
• Installation of Beginning with Habitat data in town planning department computers – a Geographic Information System series of data layers identifying the location of key wildlife and plant habitat for use in conservation planning when reviewing subdivision development proposals
• Developing open space impact fee language for each community, and examining other revenue-generating options to fund the protection of natural resources
• Examining the option for a regional transfer of development rights (using the MtA2C area as a “sending zone” and higher-density areas within the region as “receiving areas”) to guide growth away from Mount Agamenticus
• Developing model ordinance language to strengthen shoreland zoning by incorporating Beginning With Habitat data, and to assist towns when proposed developments impacting natural resources cross town boundaries

.