AROOSTOOK COUNTY – Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC) and the Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) are seeking input concerning the creation of a new development subdistrict in the unorganized townships and plantations of Aroostook County.
A public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the NMDC office in Caribou.
This subdistrict is designed to encourage a wide range of small commercial, light manufacturing, and support services that may create impacts incompatible with residential uses, recreation uses or resource management. These businesses are typically larger than a permissible home-based business, but are not large-scale commercial or industrial developments. It will encourage the commercial expansion of facilities that are suitable for growth because of proximity to hub communities, service centers or major transportation corridors, despite generating some traffic, noise, odor and visual impacts. This subdistrict will be located in areas where it has no undue, adverse impact on existing uses and resources.
There are three potential categories of small businesses that would qualify for inclusion in a small business development district. These include:
Category one, Natural Resource Based Businesses which include, but are not limited to, small scale processing, storage, sale, and distribution of wood and agricultural products; are related to or in support of agriculture, forestry or certain natural resource extraction; or facilities for commercial outdoor recreation, and meet all other criteria for category 1. Category one business have a floor area no greater than 4,000 square feet and a developed site no greater than three acres.
Category two, Retail, Restaurants, Offices, and Similar Small Businesses which include moderate scale business facilities for retail businesses, restaurants and food preparation businesses, or similar types of businesses. Category 2 business have a floor area no greater than 2,500 square feet.
Category three, Businesses, Manufacturing, Construction, and Similar Businesses including, but is not limited to, larger scale commercial facilities for: manufacturing and assembly plants, contracting and construction businesses, automobile service and repair, and meet all other criteria for category 3. Category 3 businesses have a floor area no greater than 20,000 square feet.
The following townships and plantations potentially qualify for the new subdistrict: Bancroft, Benedicta Twp., Cary Plt., Connor Twp., Cross Lake, Cyr Plt., E Twp., Forkstown Twp., Garfield Plt., Glenwood Plt., Hamlin, Hammond, Macwahoc Plt., Madawaska Lake Twp., Molunkus Twp., Moro Plt., Nashville Plt., North Yarmouth Academy, Oxbow Plt., Reed Plt., Silver Ridge Twp., St. John Plt., TA R2, T1 R5, T7 R5, T8 R5, T9 R5, T14 R6, T15 R6, T17 R4, Upper Molunkus Twp., Winterville Plt.
For more information, please contact Jay Kamm, Senior Planner, Northern Maine Development Commission at 498-8736, or email jkamm@nmdc.org.
