Staff Writer

 A committee of Old Orchard Beach residents has started work on a new Comprehensive Plan to guide future development and conservation.

Town Planner Jeffrey Hinderliter said the town last adopted a Comprehensive Plan in 1993. He said lifespan of a plan is about 10 years and some information in it is tied to census data.

“To go almost 20 years is much too long for a community like Old Orchard Beach where everything has changed,” Hinderliter said. “The community itself has changed since 1993. It seems to be more family oriented and is attracting more families. The Comprehensive Plan needs to look at how to address their needs.”

Hinderliter said the plan sets forth goals; analyzes existing conditions and trends; describes and illustrates a vision for the physical, social and economic characteristics of Old Orchard Beach; and  outlines policies and guidelines intended to implement that vision.

“The plan serves as a guideline for how Old Orchard Beach will grow,” he said.

The Comprehensive Plan addresses a broad range of interrelated topics in a unified way, Hinderliter said. The planning process provides a chance to look broadly at housing programs, economic development, public infrastructure and services, environmental protection, transportation, natural resources and land use and how they relate to each other.

Hinderliter said it is important to have an updated plan as a base for zoning. If zoning changes are made without consulting the plan, they can be easily challenged and overturned in court, he said. Additionally, many grant applications ask if the town has an updated plan and towns without one could lose out, he said.

Hinderliter will work with the seven-member Comprehensive Plan Committee appointed by the Town Council throughout the process, which is expected to extend to the end of 2012 or early 2013. He said there are four primary steps: the public process of data collection; inventory and analysis of the town; creation of goals, policies and strategies; and the adoption process.

The final draft will go to the Town Council for review and approval. The plan as approved by town officials will be forwarded to the Maine State Planning Office for review to ensure it is consistent with state law.

Hinderliter said it is essential to involve the community throughout the planning process to ensure it is successful.

Chairman Lou Valentine said the committee is working to develop a survey that will be mailed to all residents. He said the committee also will host neighborhood meetings “in each corner of town” to gather public input on what is important to the community.

“We just want to hear what their thoughts are and what their expectations are,” he said. 

Hinderliter said the committee will try to reach everyone in town to fill out the survey.

“It’s really an important investment for the town to hear them,” he said.

After the plan is complete and approved by town councilors, Hinderliter said it will be important to ensure it does not sit on a shelf.

“Some of the tough work comes in implementing it. I don’t want to lose momentum when it’s done,” he said. “This is something that the people felt our town needs.”

The Comprehensive Plan Committee meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month in council chambers. Meetings are open to the public.

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.