Maine Association of Planners
Business Meeting
NNECAPA – State Meeting
September 15, 2005
Attending:
MAP Board Members:
Jim Fisher jfisher@hcpcme.org HCPC
Hugh Coxe hcoxe@newenglandplanning.com NEPC
Maureen O’Meara ceplan@maine.rr.com Town of Cape Elizabeth
Linda Johns ljohns@brewerme.org City of Brewer
Beth DellaValle bethdellavalle@maine.rr.com Consultant
Jane LaFleur jblafleur@friendsmidcoast.org
Carl Eppich cfeppich@yahoo.com
Other Maine Planners:
Eric Dyer e_w_dyer@yahoo.com UC Irvine
Rodney Lynch City of Rockland
Peggy Kilmer killmer@aol.com
Frank Chapman frchapman@hypernet.com
Theo Holtwijk Town of Brunswick
Rebecca Schaffner rebeccah.shcaffner@maine.edu USM
Ben Smith Benjamin.w.smith@maine.edu USM
Amanda Walker mainelandwalker@lycos.com Kent Associates
Chris Huck chuck@kvcog.org KVCOG
Robert Sanford rsanford@usm.maine.edu USM
Ruta.Dzenis Ruta.Dzenis@verizon.net SPO
Matt Nazar matthew.nazar@maine.gov SPO
Jim Upham jupham@cityofbath.com City of Bath
Rod Melanson melanson@topshammaine.com Town of Topsham
Jay Chace jchace@town.harpswell.me Town of Harpswell
Judy Cobly George jcg@spatialalternatives.com Spatial Alternatives
President’s Report
At the annual meeting we had some members eligible for FAICP
t Unanimous approval of Jon Lockman nomination for FAICP
Priorities for MAP
Growth Management Laws
Beth – Stuart Meck sessions for the Maine Growth Management Law to assess what works
MAP set aside funds for further investigation of growth management laws
Maureen – will draft a short document (one page) outlining what we should do
The Stuart Meck design costs about $85,000. MAP only has about $8,500 to spend.
This document would be used to seek additional funding to conduct this study.
The time frame is very tight for completion of the study.
Theo – not confident that we will identify adequate funds in such a short amount of time.
What is SPO’s position in this? Very helpful to have someone with Stuart Meck’s experience and stature. If we are going to pursue seven other sponsors, what is the time line.
SPO, USM, Maine Community Foundation, Maine Realtors Association, GrowSmart (said no – they are focused on a Brookings Study), MEREDA, MMA,
Beth - posed the timing question to representative Moulton. The legislature needs to take action by May or June. But they might not act if they are convinced that a study is underway.
Question - Would it be possible to get a study out of USM on this subject?
It may be possible for the students to take on elements of this study.
Noel – the timing is not great as a student project. Students may not have the time to get it done.
A professor would have to act as Principal Investigator.
Jane Lafleur – can we do this by sharing our own stories and having one person edit the final document? Do we need to spend this much money?
Maureen - Not easy to get someone to do the editing. Nobody has the time. MMA has a lot of influence in the legislature now. MMA is seeking to remove SPO from the role of reviewing comprehensive plans. MAP has an opportunity to balance MMA on this issue, but needs some supporting research.
Matt – MAP will need to work at this issue from a number of angles: Work one-on-one with legislators – especially Ted Koffman and Scott Cowger
Jim – like to have some fall back plan – including Jane and Matt’s ideas.
Beth – we could use the money that we have to hire someone locally to do some of the work. Collecting information, organizing the documentation, presenting findings to MAP and legislature.
Motion
Theo – move that Maureen be authorized to lead this study. People in this room are encouraged to contact Maureen if they would like to be involved in drafting the RFP, etc..
Beth DellaValle seconds.
Motion passed with unopposed. Note that Matt, Stacy and Ruta abstained from the vote
Action Steps:
t Maureen writes a one page pitch for contributors ASAP
t MAP Committee will write an RFP for the study
t Maureen and JT Lockman will be in charge of pursuing funding.
t They will call upon other MAP members to assist in finding sponsors.
t Timeline:
o February 1, 2006 Report due to the Natural Resources Committee
§ Report will have short, mid and long term recommendations
o March, 2006 – Committee holds public hearings
o May or June, 2006 This session – may make some changes to the law
Committee Volunteers: Maureen O’Meara (Chair), JT Lockman, Theo Holtwijk, Jack Kartez
Respectfully submitted, Jim Fisher