Following the postponement of the annual Town Meeting in March, the Harpswell Select Board decided to defer a vote on the town’s new comprehensive plan until Nov. 4. The vote will be conducted by secret ballot instead of a show of cards at a meeting.
The delay has given the town’s Comprehensive Plan Task Force an opportunity to review and make changes to the most contentious parts of the plan, which deal with housing and land use.
In particular, the task force is recommending the elimination of a goal to limit the conversion of existing housing into short-term rentals because of concerns about possible harm to tourism and recreation opportunities. In addition, the land use section is being revised to address opposition to recommended zoning changes that would encourage the development of smaller homes on smaller lots.
The task force hopes that these and other changes under consideration will help the plan better align with the wishes of the community.
The task force will hold a series of meetings this summer to review these changes with the public. Meetings will take place June 24 at Cundy’s Harbor Community Hall, July 8 at the Orr’s Island Schoolhouse, and July 22 at Elijah Kellogg Church. All meetings will start at 6 p.m.
To comply with state and local requirements and ensure the draft is ready for a final vote in November, a public hearing will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16, at Harpswell Community School.
