ROCKLAND — The Rockland Land Use Review Subcommittee (LURSC) will be holding a public input session for stakeholders to learn about and contribute to the work of a newly formed subcommittee dedicated to reviewing and updating Rockland’s zoning and land use ordinances in response to the 2022 Comprehensive Plan. The session will take place on Monday July 29, at 6 p.m., at the Sail, Power, and Steam Museum.

The goal of the gathering is to provide an opportunity for residents, business owners, and developers to engage with the subcommittee, understand the scope and importance of their task as outlined in the Comprehensive plan, and share their initial thoughts and questions. This subcommittee was formed to review the city’s land use and zoning regulations for simplicity and consistency. It is part of a larger effort in Rockland to clarify and modernize how the City plans its built environment.

Key Details:
● What: Rockland Zoning and Land Use Public Input Session
● When: Monday, July 29, at 6 p.m.
● Where: Wing on Wing Building, Sail, Power, and Steam Museum, 75 Mechanic Street, Rockland
● Who: All residents, business owners, and developers of Rockland are encouraged to attend
● Short Description: Rockland’s Land Use Review Subcommittee invites members of the public, residents, business owners and city stakeholders to a meeting where they will present on the work they are doing to review

Rockland’s current zoning, zoning map and land use. They are seeking feedback and input from the public regarding how best to update zoning in order to advance Rockland’s community vision as laid out in the 2022 Comprehensive Plan. Snacks and beverages will be provided. For more information visit: https://rocklandmaine.gov/land-use-review/

The 2022 Comprehensive Plan found that land use regulations can be confusing to property owners and others, and that a long history of piecemeal changes has created an inconsistent zoning map. This subcommittee will build on recent work by the Office of Planning & Code to reduce conflicts and ambiguities and to clarify and simplify Rockland’s land use code. The subcommittee will give particular consideration to where adjustments to the zoning map may be appropriate to reflect neighborhood patterns.

“Input and engagement from the community members and residents will be key to the success of our work,” said Comprehensive Planning Commission Chair Amy Files. “We’re looking forward to sharing the research we’ve done so far, and to hear initial responses to what we have to share.”

Residents who are unable to attend the session can visit https://rocklandmaine.gov/land-use-review/ to learn more, and sign up to receive email notifications about future opportunities to share feedback or questions.

Contact Information:
Rhett Lamb, City Planner
(207) 594 - 0308
rlamb@rocklandmaine.gov
https://rocklandmaine.gov/

About the Land Use Review Subcommittee: The goal of the Land Use Review Subcommittee is to update and simplify Rockland’s zoning to better match existing neighborhood patterns and ensure future sustainable development that reflects the community vision outlined in the 2022 Comprehensive Plan. Rockland’s current land use regulations are often confusing to current and future property owners, having been developed over a long history of piecemeal changes. A holistic review of the city’s zoning will allow the Subcommittee, with community input, to provide recommendations to City Council for adjusting the number of zones and complexity of regulations, while addressing the city’s land use needs going forward.