An Act To Clarify Land Planning in the Unorganized and Deorganized Townships
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0474
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Sponsors: SHERMAN, SA VIELLO, AYOTTE, BROWNE, GIFFORD, JOHNSON, JOY, MILLER, SCHATZ
Amends: 12 MRSA §685-C

Legislative Document 
No. 474 
S.P. 177 
In Senate, February 10, 2009 
An Act To Clarify Land Planning in the Unorganized and 
Deorganized Townships 
Reference to the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry suggested and 
ordered printed. 
Presented by Senator SHERMAN of Aroostook. 
Cosponsored by Representative SA VIELLO of Wilton and 
9tf)(J~ 
JOY 1. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
Representatives: AYOTTE of Caswell, BROWNE of Vassalboro, CLARI( of Millinocket, 
GIFFORD of Lincoln, JOHNSON of Greenville, JOY of Crystal, MILLER of Somerville, 
SCHATZ of Blue Hill. 
Printed on recycled paper 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §685-C, sub-§l, as amended by PL 2007, c. 264, § 1, is further 
amended to read: 
1. 
Comprehensive land use plan. 
The comnusslOn shall adopt an official 
comprehensive land use plan for the unorganized and deorganized townships of the State. 
The commission must use the plan as a guide in developing specific land use standards 
and delineating district boundaries and guiding development and generally fulfilling the 
purposes of this chapter. 
The plan may consist of maps, data and statements of present and prospective resource 
uses that generally delineate the proper use of resources, and recommendations for its 
implementation. 
The commission shall hold public hearings to collect information from residents and 
property owners of the jurisdiction and other interested parties to be used in establishing 
the land use guidance plan. The public hearings must be conducted according to 
commission rules adopted in accordance with procedures for the establishment of rules 
pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2. 
The commission may, on its own motion or petition of any state agency or regional 
planning commission, hold such other hearings as the commission considers necessary 
from time to time for the purpose of obtaining information helpful in the determination of 
its policies, the carrying out of its duties or the formulation of its land use standards or 
rules. 
The commission may not adopt a plan or portion of a plan, unless: 
A. 
The tentative plan has been submitted to each regional planning commission and 
other 
appropriate 
agencies, 
which 
shall 
forward 
their 
comments 
and 
recommendations, if any, to the commission within 30 days; 
B. 
The tentative plan has been submitted to the State Planning Office, pursuant to 
Title 5, section 3305, subsection 1, paragraph G, which shall forward its comments 
and recommendations, if any, to the commission within 30 days; ana 
C. 
The commission has considered all such comments,. and adopted the official land 
use plan; and 
D. The commission has submitted the plan to the joint standing committee of the 
Legislature having jurisdiction over conservation matters for the committee's 
approval. 
If the committee approves the plan, it must submit the plan to the 
Legislature for approval. If the Legislature approves the plan, it must submit the plan 
to the Governor. 
Upon adoption of the official land use plan by the commission, the commission shall 
submit the plan to the Governor for approval. The Governor shall approve or disapprove 
the plan, plans or any portion of a plan within 30 days of receipt. If the Governor fails to 
act, the plan is deemed approved. This subsection also applies to any alteration in the 
comprehensive plan. 
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SUMMARY 
TIns bill clarifies and amends the process by which the Maine Land Use Regulation 
Commission adopts a comprehensive land use plan for the unorganized and deorganized 
townslnps of the State.