As a result of the various workshops held around the state by LURC staff, a new picture of what the revised Comprehensive Land Use Plan should include has emerged. In only one workshop did those favoring the plan outnumber those who had deeply-felt and documentable concerns over the present proposed revisions. It should come as no surprise that meeting was in Portland the southernmost of the seven. In Fort Kent, Presque Isle, Greenville, Millinocket, Machias and even Augusta, people who live, work and play in the unorganized territories "told it like it is." LURC will now rewrite the CLUP, and there will be a series of public hearings (more formal and more influential than 'workshops'). Here is a list of the points LURC Director Catherine Carroll has reported to the Commission and which should receive greater attention in the next CLUP revision:
· Problem with sprawl probably isn’t a problem
· Information in the draft is inaccurate, not presented well, needs more data mining
· Maps and graphics have drawn a lot of criticism
· Little to no concern over development in the UT
· Needs to be more emphasis on conservation easements
· Needs to better address multiple use
· Public has asserted the erosion of landowner rights
· Landowners deserve a big voice in the outcome of the CLUP
· Access may be shut off
· Public for the most part does not seek elimination of exemptions
· Tone down the use of adjectives in the draft
· Make language more scientific
· LURC should not be a recreational manager
· LURC is responsible for economic development
· Landowners don’t feel like they were represented well
· LURC should keep the 1997 CLUP
· Southern Maine shouldn’t have the same voice as Northern Maine
· Make up of Commission should include landowners
· Problems with Commissioner tenure
· Disappointment that Commissioners have not attended workshops