Ordinance Update Committee (OUC)

New Land Use Ordinance Adopted

On Tuesday, September 22, 2009 The Windham Town Council adopted the Land Use Ordinance drafted by the Ordinance Update Committee and recommended by the Planning Board. The new Land Use Ordinance goes into effect on October 22, 2009.

Ordinance Update Committee (OUC) Overview

Council Charge/Authorization:

On August 28, 2007, the Windham Town Council established the Ordinance Update Committee.  The Town Council's charge or instructions to the OUC are contained in the following document:

• Town Council Charge to the Ordinance Update Committee

The following members, along with Council Liaison Blaine Davis, were assigned by the Town Council to serve on the OUC.

• James Lauzier - Planning Board Chairman
• David Nadeau - Planning Board Member
• Brooks More - Director of Planning
• Roger Timmons - Director of Code Enforcement
• David Tobin - Town Council (ex-officio)

Agendas and Minutes

The Ordinance Update Committee held meetings from August 2007 to May 2009. Copies of the Committee's agendas and minutes are available upon request. Please contact the Planning Department for more information.

Proposed Standards for the Construction of New Public Streets and New Private Roads

The Windham Town Council authorized the Ordinance Update Committee to revise the standards for the contruction of new public streets, and develop standards for the construction of new private roads. These standards will only apply to new public streets and new private roads built after the adoption of the proposed ordinance updates. Accordingly, these standards will not affect public streets or private roads already in existence.

To find information on the new standards, please refer to the following sections in the Draft Ordinance Sections list, below:

• Section 300 - Definitions. This section contains the classification of different street types. See the definition of, "Street Classification."
• Section 500 - Performance Standards. See Subsection 544 Streets for standards that apply to all new streets, regardless of whether subdivision approval is required from the Planning Board.
• Section 900 - Subdivision Review. See Subsection 911.M Traffic Conditions and Streets. In conjunction with the tables in Appendix B, this section contains standards that apply to new roads in subdivisions that require approval from the Planning Board.
• Appendix B Street Design and Construction Standards. This appendix contains two tables that list the requirements for the construction of new streets. This includes such specifications as road width, road base, curve requirements, and others.

The documents listed below have been updated following the Ordinance Update Committee's workshop with the Board of Appeals/Planning Board (July 9th), informal public meetings (July 20th & 23rd), and Committee meeting (July 23rd). This information has been submitted for the Planning Board's August 10th, 2009 meeting.

Supporting Documents

• Planning Board Submission Cover Memo for August 24th Meeting (includes draft revisions based on comments by Planning Board member Keith Williams; Memo dated 8-19-09)
• Planning Board Submission Cover Memo for August 10th Meeting (dated August 4, 2009)
• Summary of Changes (dated May 4, 2009)
• List of Policy Items (dated 7-30-09)
• Policy List ATTACHMENT A - Board and Public Comments (dated August 5, 2009)
• OUC's July 31, 2009 Meeting Minutes
• Meeting Minutes from the July 20th, 2009 Informal Public Meeting

• Table of Contents
• Section 100 - General Standards
• Section 200 - Non-Conforming Standards
• Section 300 - Definitions
• Section 400 - Zoning Districts
• Section 500 - Performance Standards
• Section 600 - Mineral Extraction
• Section 700 - Signs
• Section 800 - Site Plan Review
• Section 900 - Subdivision Review
• Section 1000 - Administration
• Section 1100 - Board of Appeals
• Appendix A - Fee Schedule Cover Sheet
• Appendix A - Fee Schedule
• Appendix A - Fee Schedule Methodology
• Appendix B - Street Standards Cover Sheet
• Appendix B - Street Standards Table 3
• Appendix B - Street Standards Table 4
• Appendix C - State of Maine Road Classifications
• Appendix D - Land Use Ordinance Flow Chart
• Appendix D - Land Use Ordinance Flow Chart

Public Outreach and Ratification Process

To formally adopt the amendments proposed by the OUC, the Town must undertake a public hearing process that follows local and State laws. In addition, the OUC and Town Staff will be holding several community meetings prior to commencing the formal public hearing process. Please refer to the attached document for a list of meetings and public hearing notification requirements. Please note that this timeline is subject to changes during the process.

• Possible Public Information and Ratification Timeline (dated August 4, 2009)

Last Updated:  September 15, 2009