Comprehensive Plan Poland, Maine Draft – August 4, 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 Assessment of Effectiveness of Current Plan ....................................................... 1 VISION STATEMENT ..................................................................................................... 2 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SUMMARY ................................................................................. 4 REGIONAL COORDINATION PLAN ................................................................................... 5 TOPIC AREA BACKGROUND, TRENDS, AND ANALYSIS AND GOALS, POLICIES, STRATEGIES, IMPEMENTATION RESPONSBILITY AND STATUS .................................................. 9 1. History and Archaeological Resources .............................................................. 9 2. Natural Resources (includes water, agriculture and forest resources) ........... 25 3. Population & Demographics ............................................................................ 53 4. Economy ........................................................................................................... 63 5. Housing ............................................................................................................ 75 6. Transportation ................................................................................................. 84 7. Public Facilities, Services and Recreation ...................................................... 112 8. Municipal Finances & Capital Investment Plan ............................................. 154 9. Existing Land Use ........................................................................................... 163 FUTURE LAND USE PLAN ............................................................................................ 169 APPENDIX .............................................................................................................. 179 INTRODUCTION The citizens of Poland adopted a Comprehensive Plan in 1991, made minor amendments in 2000, and adopted a revised inventory and analysis section in 2007. In 2021, the Comprehensive Plan Committee again updated the plan. This updated plan presents information on community trends and characteristics over the past 10 years and what is expected to occur over the next 10 years. Public input was sought and used to guide the update of the Comprehensive Plan pursuant to 30-A M.R.S.A. §4324. Due to the COVID pandemic, in person public input was constrained. Still, the Comprehensive Plan Committee sought and obtained public input through two online surveys which had a high response rate, two virtual public input sessions, and, once COVID restrictions had eased, an in person public input session. The data collected during all of these events was used to shape the vision and goals, strategies, and policies sections of the updated plan. The Comprehensive Plan contains two main components: inventory and analysis, and goals, policies and strategies. These two components have been merged in contrast to the previous plan where they were in two separate and distinct sections. The rationale for this change was to have the data contained in the inventory and analysis section nearby to the goals, policies and strategies so that data and other information could be more easily viewed as a whole. The Comprehensive Plan assigns responsibility for the various implementation strategies along with a suggested timeline pursuant to 30-A MRSA §4326(3). To more clearly show what goals, policies, and strategies have been completed, they are grouped at the end of those sections under the heading “completed prior plan strategies”. It is hoped that showing these completed items will portray progress made to date. With the requirement to update the Comprehensive Plan only every 10 years, there is a need to revisit the various goals, policies, and strategies to measure progress, ensure items remain on track, and to make interim adjustments as necessary. Accordingly, the Comprehensive Plan Committee will meet at least every five years (sooner if conditions warrant) to review and update items where conditions have changed and to specifically review the degree to which future land use plan strategies have been implemented; percent of municipal growth-related capital investments in growth areas; location and amount of new development in relation to community’s designated growth areas and rural areas; and the amount of critical natural resource, critical rural, and critical waterfront areas protected through acquisition, easements, or other measures. The Poland Comprehensive Plan Update Committee has thoroughly considered each one of the goals, policies and strategies and assessed their implications during the Comprehensive Plan update. In addition, the Committee relied heavily on what the citizens of Poland told the committee through online surveys, and virtual and in person public input sessions held in the summer and fall of 2020 and spring and summer of 2021. It is the position of the committee that the following presents a realistic direction for Poland over the next 10 years. Poland Comprehensive Plan - Draft August 4, 2021 1 VISION STATEMENT The Comprehensive Plan Committee has updated the Poland Comprehensive Plan. In drafting that update, input was received from residents about what they would like for the future of Poland and the major challenges facing the town. In addition, the Committee conducted thoughtful research and reviewed trends that would influence how Poland could respond moving forward. The Committee did not discard the “Vision” developed in the previous plan, but updated it considering new facts and data that help refine the mental picture of what the town's residents want the community to look and feel like in 10 to 20 years. The "Vision" is an important part of the Comprehensive Plan and is the foundation on which the rest of the plan builds upon. In developing the "Vision”, the Committee engaged residents to ascertain what they like about their town and what are the most important issues that need to be addressed as Poland plans for its future. The Committee conducted an online survey that had a high response rate, has met with all Municipal Boards and Committees, briefed them on the Comprehensive Plan update process and obtained their input, held a public meeting on December 9, 2020 via Zoom and held an in person public input session on June 23, 2021. Based on the online survey and public visioning sessions, Water House Brook the following are Poland's Vision Statements: o The small town character of Poland will be maintained through careful stewardship of clean surface and ground water, clean air, forestlands, open spaces, scenic views, attractive and safe residential areas, and development of community gathering places. o The town will strive to have a diversified economic base of small business and industry that provide local employment opportunities and a tax base not overly dependent on residential properties. o There will be a balance of economic growth attracted here due to the benefits of living and working in Poland, a Comprehensive Land Use Code that encourages development consistent with town desires, and community events and spirit that make Poland an attractive place to live and work. o The quality of our lakes and ponds will be a top priority, will support our tourism industry, and add value to our tax base. o We will endeavor to have a definable "village area" that both locals and passersby stop at to obtain goods and services. They will stop because the "village area" is attractive, is clean and well maintained, is locally orientated (not dominated by national franchises or box stores), and is safe. o Our major Route, 11, 26, and 122 are attractive and safe, with both business and residential areas. o We will continue to add sewer and water services in more areas of the community that serve businesses and residents. o There will be senior friendly housing options to allow Poland’s seniors to age in place and remain part of the community. o Poland will remain a good place to raise a family. Consideration should be given to affordable housing for young families and programs, such as an expanded before and after care program at our schools, that enable working parents to continue to work. Poland Comprehensive Plan - Draft August 4, 2021 2 SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE ONLINE SURVEY Streamline Permitting Process Remodel/Expand Library Downtown Gathering Place/Community Gathering Center Playground for toddlers/Gym Public Transport Bike Trails Support Agriculture Industrial Park Attract businesses – CVS, Walgreens, and Restaurants 24-hour police presence and speed control More small town events, parades etc. Senior Housing Extend water and sewer (some did not want this) Poland Comprehensive Plan - Draft August 4, 2021 3 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SUMMARY The Comprehensive Plan Committee conducted an online survey that had a high response rate, has met with all Municipal Boards and Committees and briefed them on the Comprehensive Plan update process, held a public meeting on December 9, 2020 via Zoom and held an in person public input session on June 23, 2021. While the online poll was very successful, there was little public participation in both the Zoom event held on December 9, 2020 and at the in person event held on June 23, 2021. Even so, the Committee had canvassed all Municipal Boards and Committees and received