Camden DowntownRed BarnLupine Model Home
A grassroots initiative for sensible growth

Education

FMM WorkshopThe Friends of Midcoast Maine offers Educational Programs to meet the needs of our citizens and our communities. We work to educate people about planning issues, current topics, and the tools and techniques available to help our communities develop in a way that enhances our Midcoast region. We also collaborate with other organizations and individuals to bring workshops and presentations to the Midcoast.

Our programs include: 

Presentations to planning boards, comprehensive plan committees and boards of selectmen on planning tools and techniques

Review of proposed language for comprehensive plans, zoning regulations, subdivision and site plan review ordinances as to how they will contribute or detract from smart growth efforts.

Mediation between developers and neighborhood groups to insure the best development for our communities and a clear process for our developers.

Links to publications and materials on topics pertaining to growth and development, sprawl, planning, regional planning, resource protection, housing, and other topics.

Bi-Monthly regional meetings in Knox, Waldo and Lincoln counties to discuss land use planning issues and topics of interest and to give attendees the opportunity to meet with neighboring communities to plan regionally. Topics discussed in these meetings include but are not limited to :

The Comprehensive Planning Process and Requirements
The State Planning Office Review Process
Examples of comp plans that have received state “consistency” approval
Improving Public Participation: Surveys, the Visioning Process and other Methods

Preserving Open Space: Tools and Techniques
Farmland Preservation
Preserving that Small Town Character
Identifying Growth Areas and Rural Areas
What is Smart Growth? How is my town doing?  A Score Card for you and your town
Identifying and protecting cherished places in town
Affordable Housing: The New Affordable Housing TIF Program
Conservation Subdivisions and Cluster Subdivisions
Big Box Stores and their impact on local businesses
Back-lot subdivision standards and standards for land-locked lots
Recreation trail planning
Preserving the Working Waterfront
Protecting Water Quality: Non-point Source Pollution
Involving your Conservation Commission and Selectmen/City Council in the Planning Process
Building support for your plan
SPO Planning Assistance Grants
Standards for water quality
Standards for steep slope protection
Affordable housing TIF’s
Small town issues: rural and growth areas
Improving surveys and public participation

For more information or to arrange for a presentation, please call or e-mail Friends of Midcoast Maine at
(207) 236-1077 or e-mail [email protected] .