Town Council Public Hearing

TOWN OF FREEPORT 

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

Public Hearings have been scheduled for January 16, 2024 at the Freeport Town Council meeting starting at 6:00 pm at Freeport Town Hall, 30 Main Street, Freeport to discuss the following:

• Proposed amendments to Chapter 31-Coastal Waters Ordinance to require registration of moorings within the Anchorage.
• Proposed amendments to Chapter 21, Freeport Zoning Ordinance related to municipal compliance with 30-A M.R.S. §§ 4364 – 4364-C (including LD 2003, “An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Commission To Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions”).  Note:  The proposed amendments will potentially allow more housing in almost all zoning districts; add a new section, Section 536. Affordable Housing Density Bonus; and also include amendments to lower barriers to the development of Accessory Dwelling Units (Accessory Apartments).  Additional non-substantive text amendments are also proposed.  
• Proposed amendments to Chapter 25, Freeport Subdivision Ordinance.  The majority of the changes are related to municipal compliance with 30-A M.R.S.A. §§ 4364 – 4364-C (including LD 2003, “An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Commission to Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions”). Additional proposed amendments include adding and/or amending standards to comply with State subdivision approval standards (M.R.S. 30-A § 4404) and as previously discussed by the Planning Board); several non-substantial text amendments to update reference documents used throughout the Ordinance; and non-substantial text amendments for clarification purposes.
• Proposed amendments to Chapter 65, Freeport Shoreland Zoning Ordinance, related to municipal compliance with 30-A M.R.S. §§ 4364 – 4364-C (including LD 2003, “An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Commission to Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions”).   Note:  The intent of the proposed changes is to keep consistent with the proposed amendments in the Freeport Zoning Ordinance and to clarify that Accessory Dwelling Units are still subject to Shoreland Zoning Space Standards.

• Proposed amendments to Chapter 22, Design Review Ordinance.  Note:  The purpose of the proposed amendments is to: clarify definitions, including adding new definitions for previously undefined terms; clarify review standards; change some of the thresholds for when review is required and what type of review is required; add exemptions for certain projects that will no longer require a Design Review Certificate, and thresholds for projects that will qualify for Administrative Approvals; clarify submission requirements; change the appeals process; eliminate the Color Overlay District; and, modify the Design Review District boundaries and update the District map(s). The draft amendments incorporate the recommendations for the Central Core Working Group (CCWG).

The public is welcome to attend.  For additional information see the Town of Freeport website at Freeportmaine.com