After Harpswell voters approved a new comprehensive plan in November 2025, the town submitted its plan for state approval. The state notified the town that the plan needed minor changes before it could be deemed complete and consistent with Maine’s Growth Management Act. These changes included updating older data and clarifying the town’s request for an exemption from designating growth areas.
Harpswell Town Planner Margaret McIntire worked with the Harpswell Comprehensive Plan Task Force to make the necessary updates to the plan, then resubmitted the plan on Jan. 23. On Jan. 29, the Maine Office of Community Affairs notified the town that it had accepted the amendments, approved the exemption regarding growth areas, and found the plan complete and consistent. The finding of consistency is valid for 12 years, until 2038.
The next step is to hold public hearings, followed by a town vote. The town held the first of two public hearings on Feb. 3. Another will take place on Feb. 26 at 5 p.m. at the Town Office. The comprehensive plan will then be voted on at the March 14 Town Meeting. Anyone interested in reviewing the changes can find them on the town website at harpswell.maine.gov.
“We are so grateful to everyone who served on the task force over the past four years,” McIntire said. “It’s been a long road and we’re excited to be moving forward.”
