Land Use Planning Program
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Smart Growth for Coastal and Waterfront Communities
 This recently released planning guide was prepared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the International City/County Management Association, and Rhode Island Sea Grant. "Smart Growth for Coastal and Waterfront Communities" builds on the Smart Growth network's ten smart growth principles to create coastal and waterfront-specific strategies for development. The guide includes an overview of the unique development challenges and opportunities along the water and provides specific approaches to development that include a description of the issues, tools and techniques, and case studies. "Smart Growth for Coastal and Waterfront Communities" is intended for planners, local government officials, developers, residents, and other stakeholders.
The Maine State Data Center and Economics & Demographics Team launch a new data tool
The Maine State Data Center has provided this online tool to make it easier for you to access economic and demographic data for Maine, including commonly requested data about population, demographics, housing, retail sales, and employment. This site will be continually updated as new data are released.
 Creating Traditional, Walkable Neighborhoods:
A Handbook for Maine Communities
This handbook will help municipal officials craft land use
regulations that foster traditional
neighborhood development. Released July 2009 (PDF 2.4MB)
Model Wind Energy Facility Ordinance is now complete
The Model Wind Energy Facility Ordinance offers a comprehensive wind energy facility review process and standards for voluntary adoption by Maine municipalities. (Microsoft Word 242KB, PDF 200KB)
Planning For Climate Change
The State Planning Office recognizes that climate change presents many challenges and opportunities at the local level. Fortunately, many Maine communities are taking action today to lessen the challenges and seize the opportunities of the future. Visit SPO's Planning For Climate Change website for a brief list of resources to support both initial and ongoing climate change planning in your community.
New Hampshire's Innovative Land Use Planning Techniques Handbook
The Land Use Planning Techniques Handbook offers additional guidance and technical assistance on Innovative Land Use Controls. The publication was produced by the NH Department of Environmental Services and its partners, the NH Association of Regional Planning Commissions, the NH Office of Energy and Planning, and the NH Local Government Center.
This Innovative Land Use handbook includes sections dealing with development density, environmental characteristics, and site level design. Each of the 23 chapters includes model ordinances and regulations for use by municipalities interested in implementing the innovative land use techniques.
Kennebec Valley Council of Governments has prepared two new model ordinances
Density Visualization Tool
The SPO Land Use Team has created a brief PowerPoint presentation using Maine-based examples of different housing densities to help town planners, planning boards, and others understand what different densities look like on the ground. (PowerPoint 9.4MB, PDF 2.2MB)
Scenic Assessment Inventory Report completed
A ‘how-to’ guide for using the State Planning Office’s scenic inventory methodology to identify, evaluate, and document scenic resources and to identify scenic viewpoints of state or national significance for purposes of Title 35-A MRSA* Ch. 34-A (Wind Power Law). It is designed to supplement the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development’s initial handbook How to Conduct an Inventory of Scenic Areas (Dominie, 1990) that was part of the Maine Shore Access Public Access Series. Scenic Assessment Inventory Report (PDF 18.3M):
* Note: The Handbook may be used for this wind power law-related purpose upon the State Planning Office's final adoption of rules pursuant to Title 35-A, MRS Section 3457.
Brochure on why municipalities create comprehensive plans
This new brochure points out a few of the many reasons why communities take on the planning process of creating a comprehensive plan. Learn about some of the key benefits your community may see with a comprehensive plan that is consistent with Maine's Growth Management Act. View the brochure (PDF 535KB)
Comprehensive Planning Impact Survey 
Fourteen coastal towns were chosen for a case study on how Maine's Growth Management Act has impacted communities. All towns chosen have developed and adopted consistent comprehensive plans under the Growth Management Act (30-A MRSA §4312 et seq). The selection process captured a mix of large and small towns that face various planning issues. Towns chosen for the study span nearly the entire length of the Maine Coast, from Wells to Roque Bluffs. Find out more about this project
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