LURC at work

Mistakes are made, plans go awry, balls get dropped. Flubs are a fact of life; it’s the admitting and fixing part that’s less common.

Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission got caught in a foozle a month or so ago when notices soliciting public input on contemplated changes in building rules for the unorganized territories did not get mailed out. While those with access to the notices posted around their communities and to the stories in their local newspaper knew about the changes and their opportunities to comment, many, especially out-of-state campowners, were left out. While the letter of the law on notification was met, the spirit was weak.

To LURC’s credit, it did not just shrug its bureaucratic shoulders, it did something. It’s a little thing — the commissioners voted to extend the comment period for another two weeks, until June 15 — but it means a lot.

The proposed changes are important. They address the standards that govern the expansion of grandfathered structures and uses, especially those within 100 feet of a shoreline. They bring those standards in line with the rules in effect in organized towns. They impose additional measures to protect lakes and rivers while trying to provide for reasonable expansions of small cottages. To the 20,000 or so backwoods landowners, this is a big deal.

Instead of simply relying upon the bare-minimum notification requirements of postings and published notices, LURC tried to reach all camp owners by including a flier in the tax bills sent out by the Bureau of Taxation. LURC printed up and folded 20,000 fliers; but a glitch popped up somewhere along the way and they did not make it into the tax mailing. By the time many landowners got their notices, the public hearings had come and gone and the comment period was drawing to a close.

Rural land-use issues are controversial enough; Maine doesn’t need the added controversy of muddled process. LURC took a lot of heat from the disenfranchised and it responded appropriately. Those wanting to comment can do so by post (22 State House Station, Augusta 04333) or e-mail (Fred.Todd@state.me.us). Those still in the dark about the proposed changes can get a copy by calling 800-452-8711 or 207-287-2631.