ASHLAND, Maine — Officials with the Northern Maine Development Commission and Land Use Planning Commission continue to seek public input on the creation of Small Business Development sub-districts that would encompass several smaller communities in northern Maine, as well as unorganized territories in the region.
The purpose of the SBD sub-district is to encourage a range of small business development in rural areas that are compatible with, and complementary to, Aroostook County’s natural resource-based land uses such as agriculture, forestry, small-scale natural resource processing and manufacturing, and outdoor recreation. This sub-district is designed to concentrate development in or at the edge of existing development within towns, plantations and townships identified as rural growth centers, and in concentrated areas along appropriate portions of major transportation corridors. The SBD sub-district seeks to maintain the rural character of the region and avoid the visual and fiscal impacts of unplanned growth.
Jay Kamm, NMDC’s senior planner, was on hand April 15, leading the meeting held at the Department of Conservation Office in Ashland, using a PowerPoint presentation to illustrate goals and how such sub-districts will benefit not just a particular territory or community but the entire county. This marked the third of four meetings planned in Aroostook, with the final one taking place in Oakfield on April 16.
“The plan is to create zones to allow for increased economic competitiveness and development,” said Kamm. “Our intent is to make land use regulations more predictable and easier.”
Kamm said these sub-districts could lead to an economic boost for the region as a whole.
“Sub-district would play a positive and important role in the economy of the area. They would enhance and diversify the economic opportunities for residents and visitors, expand commercial uses beyond traditional forestry and agriculture, and allow easier and predictable land use regulations for small businesses,” Kamm said.
The purpose of the sub-district would be to encourage a range of small business development that would be compatible with Aroostook’s natural resource-based land uses by concentrating development near existing development, while maintaining the rural character of the region.
“It would encourage a wide range of small commercial, light manufacturing and public facilities — typically larger than a home-based business but not large scale commercial or industrial developments,” he said.
Kamm said it would “encourage the commercial expansion of facilities that are suitable for growth because of proximity to hub communities, service centers or major transportation corridors.”
“They would be located in areas where they have no undue adverse impact on existing uses and resources,” said Kamm.
Examples of natural resource-based businesses include those that do small-scale processing, storage, sale and distribution of wood products and agricultural products. Maximum size of land area development would be three acres.
“This would be businesses related to, or in support of, forestry, farming or certain natural resource extraction. Some examples might be a maintenance garage, small gravel or mineral extraction,” said Kamm.
Another approved use, according to Kamm, might be facilities for commercial outdoor recreation.
Kamm said retail, restaurants, offices and similar small businesses would also be considered under the proposed sub-districts.
“We’re talking about moderate-scale business and institutional facilities, and moderate-scale commercial. Perhaps small gas stations up to two pumps each, serving two vehicles, and with maximum size of building floor area at 2,500 to 4,000 square feet, depending on use,” Kamm said.
In addition, such areas could be used for non natural resource-based facilities, including manufacturing, construction and similar businesses.
“That would include larger-scale commercial facilities for manufacturing and assembly plants, contracting and construction businesses, and automobile service and repair, with a maximum size floor plan area of 20,000 square feet,” he said.
Kamm said the steering committee felt the primary criteria be that the township, town or plantation have a major public road. The following 25 townships and plantations potentially qualify for the new sub-district: St. John, Cyr, Winterville, Oxbow, Cary, Reed, Nashville, Macwahoc, Garfield, Moro and Molunkus plantations; Connor, Cross Lake, Benedicta, Silver Ridge and E townships; Hamlin; Bancroft; as well as T7 R5, T14 R6, Madawaska Lake (T16 R4), T8 R5, T17 R4/Sinclair, T9 R5 and T15 R6.
Kamm said an identified township is not automatically rezoned as a sub-district. He said not all of the townships would be eligible. Rezoning will be based on a set of standards and criteria that must be met.
“The protection of existing development and natural resources is critical,” said Kamm.
For more information, call Kamm at 498-8736 or email jkamm@nmdc.org.
