December 2, 2011
Panel finalizes LURC reform report
A task force charged with recommending ways to reform the Land Use Regulation Commission has reached a compromise that would give county governments more say on development in the state's unorganized territories.
The plan as approved by the 12 committee members present at yesterday's meeting expands the number of LURC commissioners from seven to nine, and directs county commissioners to select six of them, while the governor appoints three, according to the Bangor Daily News. Currently, the governor nominates all seven LURC commissioners. Counties would also be allowed to take on some responsibilities, such as issuing permits for new buildings or renovations, and the plan establishes a process by which counties could withdraw from LURC if they meet certain criteria.
The permitting responsibilities for commercial wind power projects in unorganized territory would be transferred to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The plan does not address some controversial issues, like LURC's anti-sprawl requirement that dictates new development should be sited adjacent to existing development, the paper reported.
LURC directs land use in the state's more than 10 million acres of unorganized territory. In June, lawmakers created the task force after a bill backed by Gov. Paul LePage recommended eliminating LURC altogether. A final report on the recommendations will be considered by the Legislature.
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