Katahdin Region Comprehensive Plan Millinocket, East Millinocket, and Medway Maine 2020 Contents Introduction to Maine Comprehensive Plans……………………………………………………………………………..1 Chapter One: A VISION FOR THE KATAHDIN REGION…………………………………………………………....…… 9 Chapter Two: REGIONAL AND LOCAL STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT……………………………………….. 11 Chapter Three: HISTORIC & ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES……………………………………..…………….. 15 Goals/Vision…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..... 15 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………15 A Brief History………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 16 Inventory of Historic & Archaeological Sites…………………………………………………………………..... 17 Historical & Archaeological Resources……………………………………………………………………………… 19 Strategies and Policies……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 21 Chapter Four: WATER RESOURCES……………………………………………………………...………………………….. 23 Goals/ Vision……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 23 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………23 Threats & Productive Measures…………………………………………………………………………………………24 Inventory of Water Resources………………………………………………………………………………………….. 29 Notable Parties………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 38 Strategies & Policies…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 39 Chapter Five: NATURAL RESOURCES……………………………………………………………………………………….. 41 Goals/ Vision……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 41 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………41 Inventory of Natural Resources………………………………………………………………………………………… 42 Threats & Protective Measures…………………………………………………………………………….……………60 Notable Parties………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 63 Strategies & Policies………………………………………………………………………………………………………….64 Chapter Six: AGRICULTURE & FORESTRY………………………………………………………………………………….. 67 Goals/ Vision……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 67 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………67 Inventory of Agriculture & Forestry Resources…………………………………………………………………. 69 Threats & Protective Measures………………………………………………………………………………………… 76 Notable Parties………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 78 Strategies & Policies…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 79 Chapter Seven: POPULATION & DEMOGRAPHICS……………………………………………………………………. 83 Goals and Vision………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 83 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 83 Demographic Inventory……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 84 Strategies and Policies……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 102 Chapter Eight: ECONOMY……………………………………………………………………………………………………….104 Goals/Vision…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...104 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………104 Economic Statistics………………………………………………………………………………………………………….105 Industry Trends……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….110 Economic Development………………………………………………………………………………….………………116 Future Opportunity…………………………………………………………………………………………………………118 Strategies and Policies…………………………………………………………………………………………….………121 CHAPTER NINE : HOUSING………………………………………………………………………………………………………….127 Goals/Vision…………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………..127 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………127 Housing Inventory…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..129 Occupancy Demographics…………………………………………………………………………………………….…134 Code Enforcement………………………………………………………………………………………………………….136 Subsidized Housing……………………………………………………………………………………………………..….136 Strategies and Policies……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 138 CHAPTER TEN : RECREATION & TOURISM……………………………………………………………………………………141 Goals/Vision…………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………..141 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………141 Inventory of Recreation Resources………………………………………………………………………………….146 Notable Parties……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….149 Future Strategic Planning……………………………………………………………………………………………..…149 Strategies & Policies………………………………………………………………………………………………………..150 CHAPTER ELEVEN : TRANSPORTATION………………………………………………………………………………………...153 Goals/Vision………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………..…153 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………153 Regional Transportation Concerns………………………………………………………………………………..…154 Commuting Characteristics……………………………………………………………………………………………..154 Classification of Infrastructure…………………………………………………………………………………………156 Planned Capital and Maintenance Work………………………………………………………………………….166 Safety Assessment…………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….168 Notable Parties………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 171 Strategies and Policies…………………………………………………………………………………………………….172 Chapter Twelve: PUBLIC FACILITIES & SERVICES……………………………………………………………………..175 Goals/Vision……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…..175 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………175 General Municipal Administration…………………………………………………………………………………..175 Education Facilities………………………………………………………………………………………………………….179 Community Facilities…………………………………………………………………………………………………….…181 Public Safety……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………183 Public Works…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..185 Emergency Shelters……………………………………………………………………………………………………..…185 Public Utilities…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………186 General Assistance………………………………………………………………………………………………………….188 Strategies & Policies………………………………………………………………………………………………………..190 Chapter Thirteen: FISCAL CAPACITY & CAPITAL INVESTMENT…………………………………………….……192 Goals/Vision……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…..192 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………192 Overall Assessment…………………………………………………………………………………………………………192 Capital Investment Plan…………………………………………………………………………………………………..215 Strategies & Policies………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 218 Chapter Fourteen: CURRENT & FUTURE LAND USE………………………………………………………………… 222 Goals/Vision………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 222 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………222 Existing Land Use…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….222 Lot Dimensional Standards……………………………………………………………………………………………..236 Future Land Use……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..239 State Goal……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….239 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...239 Zoning…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….246 Strategies & Policies……………………………………………………………………………………………………….254 Introduction to Maine Comprehensive Plans Historic Background A comprehensive plan is a document adopted by a local government and created by local people. This document is actually a map to the town’s future that guides the decision making process regarding the community and the vision that the residents have for their future. The essential characteristics of the plan makes it comprehensive, general, and long-range. The plan is comprehensive since it encompasses all aspects of the community; general because the plan summarizes policies and implementation strategies but does not include detailed regulations; and long-range, since the plan looks to the future to envision problems and possibilities. During the economic boom of the 1980s, the State of Maine experienced substantial growth not only in the urban areas but also in rural communities. This growth was a blend of industrial, commercial and residential types and occurred in many communities that were not prepared to deal with increased demand on municipal budgets, and built environment. In response to this growth and in an effort to reduce the impact on local taxes, community character, and environmental integrity, the Maine State Legislature enacted land use laws intending to provide municipalities with the tools to anticipate future growth and development. The “Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Regulation Act” of 1988 – frequently referred to as the “Growth Management Act” – requires municipalities throughout the state to adopt a Growth Management Program consisting of a comprehensive plan and land use ordinances. It provides the framework for municipalities to guide their future growth and development while maintaining their community character and identity. The program was subsequently repealed by the Legislature, eliminating the mandatory aspect of the law; however, many communities have recognized the value and necessity of this program and continue to aspire to the original Act’s goals. In January 2001, Public Law 776 “ An Act to Implement the Land Use Recommendations of the Task Force on State Office Building Location, Other State Growth-related Capital Investments and Patterns of Development ” went into effect. This act was developed to ensure that government investments are made in a manner that will not spur development sprawl and will concentrate public facilities and improvements in locally designated growth areas . Whether investment uses State, Federal, or other public funds in the form of a purchase, lease grant, loan, loan guarantee, credit, tax credit or other financial assistance, “growth- related capital investment” refers to investment by the State in the following projects: ● Construction or acquisition of newly constructed multifamily rental housing; ● Development of industrial or business parks; ● Construction or extension of sewer, water and other utility lines; ● Grants and loans for public service infrastructure, public facilities and community buildings; and ● Construction or expansion of state office buildings, state courts, and other state civic buildings that serve public clients and customers. “Growth-related capital investment”