Draft Holden plan OK’d by state planners

HOLDEN – The State Planning Office recently approved the updated Holden comprehensive plan, but the SPO and other state agencies also issued suggested changes that were addressed Thursday at the town’s last scheduled Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee meeting.

“The fact that we were approved the first time out is, to you, [a] credit,” committee Chairman Kevin Cuddy said to the board.

The plan now must be presented to the Town Council for approval, and residents must approve it at a town meeting.

The town’s comprehensive plan committee worked for 18 months on updating the 1995 comprehensive plan. They submitted the updated plan to the state in October.

The updated draft advocates for affordable housing and containing rural sprawl, and includes as a goal that 55 percent of new housing in town be decent and affordable. New subdivision land use rules also are included.

The SPO, the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, and the state’s Department of Environmental Protection each made suggestions about the draft plan, which the panel addressed by making some changes and discarding other recommendations.

“These are minor changes,” Rich Rothe, a consultant hired by the town, said about the state agencies’ proposals.

Stephen Condon, code enforcement officer, Town Manager Larry Varisco and Rothe sat in the audience on Thursday and answered questions.

The committee members clarified phrases, attached historical elements, changed a title, and added wording to ensure development maintains the town’s rural character. They also decided to change the beginning of the massive plan.

“One thing plans have that this plan doesn’t have is a history or an introduction,” Rothe said. “You jump right in.”

Rothe suggested, and the board agreed, that an introduction be added that includes information on the town’s history, the advisory committee and how the panel collected information, others who assisted and where residents can go for more information.

The introduction should “give the person … a flavor of the plan,” the consultant said.

The panel also discussed maps, including information on aquatic animals, and how to handle outdated materials.

Since the state made only minor changes, no additional hearing will be held.

Once the introduction is complete, and the committee’s changes are made, a final draft will be presented to the Town Council for approval, tentatively scheduled for March, Varisco said after the meeting.

“They will make the decision to have a special town meeting or to hold it for the annual town meeting [in June],” said Cuddy.

To end the meeting, Cuddy, who had two three-ring binders, both 3- to 4-inches thick, sitting in front of him, showed his appreciation for the advisory panels’ hard work.

“Thank you all,” he told his fellow board mates. “It’s been arduous and long, but I think it’s been productive.”

The meeting ended in applause.

The updated draft comprehensive plan is available for viewing at the town office and on the town’s Web site, www.holdenmaine.com.