[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6064265,"mediaKeyId","3256313-c0bb7b58b2a865262699535e255838b5","parentId",3256313,"title","Councilor warns planning board a state caregiver-rule change may prompt ordinance review","audioSeconds",484,"startMs",6268000,"endMs",6752000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256313-c0bb7b58b2a865262699535e255838b5&start=6268&end=6752","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256313-c0bb7b58b2a865262699535e255838b5/thumbnail_6268000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6064265/Caribou/Aroostook-County/Maine/Councilor-warns-planning-board-a-state-caregiver-rule-change-may-prompt-ordinance-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064265-c576fe517032b60ed1fe6f324d7c5201/orig.mp4?Expires=1775558185&Signature=GDtp5Gh00XmeJzkc2XFuMrk64KwxaJb7xUriv64V9RA-13OTLAUt3V3OwsClIDpIbvLDFf-PBba60J80SdzD0wEbRlwulhn5fp1efABb91nzcOorAwTnIayGMQc5Vvhrze9MIoHiX~GSMRiHTmDwQsQ-wBNg8PJcwaZ6htZ~O3Tivbl9X8v4wh3ADofvBjLOKLVKAjRu9a7n0Nk1ISUjdrntuVcuRwYcZBMPTs48--Pqqksvk2Cff2MzVHNfsP68HatHeIJYFvaLBFkXxcyDP7zc4jv0580hth-s55c0JrZT4iPYebNcwMFAEAASuc7wLokrLQvk0CqZLFv~irUgSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-09T12:23:23Z","article","At the end of Thursday’s meeting, Councilor Bagley informed the planning board that changes to state caregiver rules have prompted at least one local provider to seek the ability to operate as a storefront rather than only as private caregivers.

Bagley said staff are watching developments and that the issue might come to the council. He warned local leaders to be cautious about drafting local ordinance language without public comment: \"I would be very hesitant to write an ordinance without hearing public comment,\" he said.

Board members noted past local experience with similar proposals and recalled a 2023 straw poll that generated no support for allowing retail caregiver storefronts in Caribou. Staff said the state licenses the caregiver program and localities are not always informed when a state license is issued.

Ending: Staff will track any formal state rule change or license notification and inform the board and council if a municipal ordinance change request is formally filed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Caribou Planning Board 5/8/25","oneSentenceSummary","A councilor told the planning board a change in state caregiver program rules could require the city to consider zoning changes to allow caregiver retail storefronts; staff and board members urged caution and public input.","taxTitle","Caribou, Aroostook County, Maine","taxId",52157,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6064271,"Planning board forwards nuisance and anti-blight ordinances to city council",133,524000,657000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256313-c0bb7b58b2a865262699535e255838b5&start=524&end=657","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256313-c0bb7b58b2a865262699535e255838b5/thumbnail_524000.jpg","/articles/6064271/Caribou/Aroostook-County/Maine/Planning-board-forwards-nuisance-and-anti-blight-ordinances-to-city-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064271-657d8c048ab1d5f83693dd2253a2578f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775558185&Signature=iTbtwdUg5T53lxYZIxBZt9iRcYsIeTUp3mX6YJP~Z-krCWOJ7z0mRhTaUNU5PUa~yaWqEqNHy6skBS0PzY8CLX8X-dGhfVISY5kqfjlxzVv6RbeqAsyBEu11qYdrdipRj3vQEN~atATMuJ1vseGZFeqo4rmCY1tY-6pkoRYTZO0iWAUbhwV2PozAE6RSRtissZinTmz7orS5gWJ4fsWwG1-EszONJ6wG0P3MM~2s4artGi8~YdsPlHqJZ~oYSWnn~vCEER~vl2PjRsHOKVR0SmiEx4s1PkSSVv5TsoRwm1iHhmO2s8SKKECtjSFpEe0Wylyt4GomyUsIPhIKDS10sA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Caribou Planning Board voted Thursday to forward two proposed ordinances—one addressing nuisances and a separate anti-blight ordinance—to the City Council for consideration.

The board opened a short public hearing and reported no citizens wished to speak; after confirming the ordinances were covered in prior meetings, a board member moved to accept both ordinances as presented and to send them to the council. The motion was seconded, the board took a roll-call vote and the motion passed unanimously.

Board members noted the drafts were reviewed at the previous meeting and no further edits were proposed at Thursday’s meeting.

Ending: The ordinances will be transmitted to the City Council for its review and any subsequent action, per the board’s vote.","After a brief public hearing and no additional discussion the planning board voted to send proposed nuisance and anti-blight ordinances to the City Council for consideration.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6064274,"Caribou planning board reviews draft future land-use map, emphasizes riverfront mixed use and resiliency",1576,689000,2265000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256313-c0bb7b58b2a865262699535e255838b5&start=689&end=2265","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256313-c0bb7b58b2a865262699535e255838b5/thumbnail_689000.jpg","/articles/6064274/Caribou/Aroostook-County/Maine/Caribou-planning-board-reviews-draft-future-land-use-map-emphasizes-riverfront-mixed-use-and-resiliency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064274-14b83b1609f144e06439737b0859ed12/orig.mp4?Expires=1775558185&Signature=UTsXniIITfFbMc70sK05XrYJsHUFxU1ueyC5PSITl6E2YWKGgmGPMGA~j8-hwLxuxekEviLOx5G3~LOw11ShPWOcFTFxjPtyz0MWwqSBxVl0ycBcWiz0-AH8q4djvuCB4r-Cyy12nd4pikggYpKqK4r822HdfAdDdrOpaNx2jYLKIncjUT9ziXPx5nlywAW5iLrVEA2Kh9nensO1swrgaaa4ifmE07H0JhBtIJFNUVSagZIdJLbTDzFGbyPDmuZyoXtYrn38duAkOB4VE6ngf1L5MFrcQcMCB5C9s4kjZO-raced8dseMdmhmvQLPX6nyb9GPCcfOLcZyCq7m3~plA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning staff led a detailed discussion Thursday of the future land-use section of Caribou’s comprehensive plan and a proposed “designated growth areas” map that will guide a forthcoming zoning update.

City staff sought direction on where the map should identify future growth: downtown mixed-use, an extended mixed-use corridor down South Main Street, limited industrial locations (not the riverfront), and redevelopment of former industrial parcels such as the Birds Eye site under a new working name “Caribou Crossing.”

Staff (Karen, city planning) said the 2014 plan used a simple blue-line proposed growth area and that Northstar Planning will prepare a parcel-based map the board must confirm. Karen asked the board to consider including River Road, the airport property for aviation-related uses only, TIF district boundaries and sewer-availability corridors that could justify future sewer extensions and housing development.

The board discussed the parcel-level mapping requirement and the need to avoid spot zoning. Staff said the future-growth-area boundary must follow parcel lines for the state mapping requirement and for correct tax increment financing (TIF) calculations. She noted a question mark about airport property uses because FAA constraints may limit development to aviation-related projects unless the city segments and sells off land.

Members and staff also discussed incorporating a community resiliency chapter into the comp plan. Karen described a state-sponsored vulnerability study being produced by North Star Planning and Seiler Climate Consulting under the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future (GOPIF). She said an initial vulnerability report is expected in June and a larger grant opportunity in August; the resilience chapter will support future grant applications for sewer, energy, internet and emergency resource centers.

Board guidance included: keep the riverfront from being designated industrial in the future land-use narrative; extend mixed-use designations along High Street and down South Main within reasonable parcel-depth limits; add TIF district boundaries and sewer extension corridors to support housing and redevelopment goals; and ask Northstar to create a parcel-based blue-line overlay for review.

Ending: Staff and Northstar Planning will prepare parcel-based map drafts and a written future-land-use narrative for the board’s review; the resilience chapter and TIF mapping will be incorporated prior to finalizing the comprehensive plan.","Board reviewed draft designated growth areas for the comprehensive plan: mixed-use along downtown and South Main, limiting industrial riverfront uses, aligning future growth areas to parcel lines, and incorporating a GOPIF resiliency study into the plan.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6064279,"Planning board advances Caribou police station concept to public hearing",2666,3604000,6270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256313-c0bb7b58b2a865262699535e255838b5&start=3604&end=6270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256313-c0bb7b58b2a865262699535e255838b5/thumbnail_3604000.jpg","/articles/6064279/Caribou/Aroostook-County/Maine/Planning-board-advances-Caribou-police-station-concept-to-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064279-5bc459a3d825abdc82dc270e1145296a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775558185&Signature=Pt-21JBVONByrSpYFP7SN16nG0bJzgU-p~-z5fKtDS2212AyT57gVZuiZTFIimmTdIDAEcJCAhIBNr1LIrXUihjPS10-DjOzPv~0oQbeboxw8c38vioNv0tV9pe5qWOtoJ7HmxTeeVly52up6tf7ipyhplfqcRVl9VdvMPFsQXuW~o8NwPxg4jj-Q~~~GXPhmCY0my~DEUSLslFfBfqo7TrWhbN-88T-8wcOVXpW4eHQWTOtnqmIFJNddVhxkBwv4BwIoUHLeU-XfmJjx86~Xhjf3FPPKcFa6VhOXKhdp5MdrliQWYulMy1nUvz3nNCKYOTtYplt7KeipGWS2XmipA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Caribou Planning Board voted unanimously Thursday to advance concept-level site plans for the city’s proposed police station to a public hearing, with final site-design submittal required before full approval.

The board agreed to schedule the public hearing for its next meeting and asked the applicant to provide full-size plan sets, building elevations and technical details in advance. The public hearing was set to coincide with the bid timeline the applicant provided, with bids returning June 12 and plans to be available for the board’s June meeting.

Ellen (applicant representative) and Shelley (applicant representative) presented the concept drawings and answered board questions about parking, elevations, utilities and erosion controls; the board pressed for details on alternate vehicle access and the building’s lower-level usage.

Planning Board members raised safety and operational questions. One member asked whether an entrance from Fourth Street could be provided for an alternate emergency-vehicle egress; board members said they were concerned about scenarios in which the primary drive could be blocked by a delivery or adjacent-site activity. The board also queried whether a basement would create accessibility obligations; Penny (city staff) and board members noted that occupied basement spaces can trigger accessibility and elevator requirements.

On environmental and construction controls, a board member asked about contaminated soil and sediment control design; the applicants said test pits and soils work have been done and that sediment-basin and level-spreader details appear on the civil sheets. The applicant representatives said radon mitigation and slab vapor barriers would be considered during final design; the board asked the team to document those systems in the final submittal.

The motion to advance the concept to public hearing and to request final plans was made by Steve (Planning Board) and seconded by Frank (Planning Board). A roll-call vote followed: Steve — yes; Frank — yes; Dave — yes; Eric — yes. The motion passed.

Ending: The planning board will hold a public hearing at its next meeting; the applicants must deliver final, full-size sets (three 24-by-36 sets plus digital copies), building elevations, structural and stormwater control details before full plan review.","Planning board voted unanimously to send the police station site design concept to a public hearing after reviewing parking, access and design details; the board requested final plans and additional technical details for review.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6064284,"Caribou officials briefed on Mill Pond restoration plan, dredging and fishway proposal",931,2248000,3179000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3256313-c0bb7b58b2a865262699535e255838b5&start=2248&end=3179","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3256313-c0bb7b58b2a865262699535e255838b5/thumbnail_2248000.jpg","/articles/6064284/Caribou/Aroostook-County/Maine/Caribou-officials-briefed-on-Mill-Pond-restoration-plan-dredging-and-fishway-proposal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064284-ac24b4133a08b98049214130c7d684f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775558185&Signature=W6tZMFurQgc3H2djniy3etvmaSwN-~EiisEgkagF7yua6ZvU3gtKrJO3vStEvxTYw0uBWpCmdTt9XrCVGkSiAvR-HP04uYWNf1l6pCduRA5nZKI90VdjHYVJxOwO-ZEcjQPRA3Lr1s~pKUG~3EHWSEe-IGZMZdAQoKypaat7eXad1uUtWiRtJvNFyxdQD3-6MmyvbhqLEPIg~bLLXa65cMkho4WXsI7tJCU3PYtl89rnH~YsEPBM1UUK9vFXArW1eqlxONjdwwDRTkYsIPvgR~fdk-pgzbfFDcvFIp4pUHO3fUAjO8CCGoLUSf4NllfHDTL8dxR72TAP~1hC26gdcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SHANE MCDOUGALL, AVS Engineering, told the Caribou Planning Board on Thursday night that the city has funding and a consultant team in place to restore Mill Pond, repair the breached dam and add a fishway to reestablish upstream fish passage.

The proposal calls for dredging the shallow, sediment-filled pond, restoring the dam to its previous elevation with sheet pile and constructing a nature-style fishway; McDougall said the firm has estimated removal of about \"40,000 cubic feet\" of material and is targeting roughly 2 feet of dredging in the areas of exposed dry land.

The plan matters because the pond has been breached since 2018 and the project would re-create a wetland and fish passage while restoring migratory bird habitat, McDougall said. The city has federal funding for the work and staff and engineers described a permitting calendar that could stretch into late 2025 or 2026.

McDougall said the project scope has three elements: dredge the pond, repair the dam \"back to its original height\" and install a fishway. He described the fishway concept as a rock-and-pool, nature-style design rather than a concrete ladder, noting the site has about a 20-foot head difference from the dam to downstream valley and that a rock-style fishway would reduce cost if the designer can make it functional.

Permitting will be the primary task before construction. McDougall told the board the project will require a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review because of federal funding, state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) permits including an NRPA (Natural Resources Protection Act) permit-by-rule if Inland Fisheries & Wildlife signs on as sponsor, a U.S. Army Corps permit for in-water work, and a beneficial-use permit for dredged material. He said the beneficial-use permit often requires a documented, near-term use for dredged material rather than long-term stockpiling.

Board members questioned target dredge depth and habitat outcomes. One board member said, \"fish aren't gonna survive in 2 feet of water,\" and McDougall replied the fishway's purpose is to permit upstream passage; the pond functions as a short stop while fish continue to find cooler, deeper holes upstream.

On the dam, McDougall said the team plans to use steel sheet pile to re-create 2 to 3 feet of the previous crest and to re-place boulders. He said earlier geotechnical work and FEMA data indicate bedrock is relatively shallow and that sampling to date found mostly clean clay and no drums or tires in the test pits.

McDougall outlined a tentative schedule: contract award in May, HUD (NEPA) review by July, DEP and Army Corps permitting through August, final design late in the year and possible construction in a following season. He said the HUD-funded award has flexible spending timelines (the project team stated the grant can be extended to 2030 if needed).

Several board members and staff raised recreation and reuse questions: park access and kayak programming were described as likely follow-on uses, and staff said they will explore wharf-style viewing decks and other low-impact amenities. McDougall and other presenters noted the project is eligible for brownfields and other redevelopment grant programs and said additional grant rounds are being watched.

The board provided general input and requested that the design and permit applications address shoreland vegetation protection, floodplain impacts and access routes for construction mats and equipment. No formal action was required of the planning board Thursday; the team said it will seek the council's endorsement and continue permitting work.

Ending: The city and its consultants said they will return with permit applications and design documents; timeline depends on permitting outcomes and chosen contractors, and the board asked to be kept informed as NEPA and DEP reviews progress.","AVS Engineering presented a plan to rebuild Mill Pond dam, dredge sediment and add a fishway; permitting and use of dredged material will drive timing and method.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Councilor warns planning board a state caregiver-rule change may prompt ordinance review

Planning board forwards nuisance and anti-blight ordinances to city council

Caribou planning board reviews draft future land-use map, emphasizes riverfront mixed use and resiliency

Planning board advances Caribou police station concept to public hearing

Caribou officials briefed on Mill Pond restoration plan, dredging and fishway proposal