[{"_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",6188617,"mediaKeyId","5062089-09ba287ec32478c1e376c18fb3e004ee","parentId",5062089,"title","Residents, committee discuss downtown vacancies, TIF and incentives to spur redevelopment","audioSeconds",285,"startMs",2681000,"endMs",2966000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5062089-09ba287ec32478c1e376c18fb3e004ee&start=2681&end=2966","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5062089-09ba287ec32478c1e376c18fb3e004ee/thumbnail_2681000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6188617/Rangeley/Franklin-County/Maine/Residents-committee-discuss-downtown-vacancies-TIF-and-incentives-to-spur-redevelopment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188617-64a569a795839e70a66d8d5e1b38bf06/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037653&Signature=NDZt3~PFSAs826VLoOB2fXWIaFnWmXSXg-IbAdyLRdClgMc7KwyvmiE4dLZ6~jSJFKLHxaEKVB6dd7Dpat5SqCoU6aK0YGxDLDom7WJW85BsESHUrkXkRihCP06Q~06KCWdBmyYFXPuxIN8McBHu3~BaspSNQvix5G23BkfT5Sg20-IhCJRE5IxVuJlwCgqy-vUx~XKf9EKuJoGjSR13ULPPsLF-HatKayQLZrToSNw2QyVQfGmXE~jJsTpqI6qK6~7upEVPd2C9hSkJq8jnn-9~0mhjXTRBU0iwEqN2fwU8wp1ux6U03zvOu-OCoQ5pt~YTiSL9laByplxtydLobw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-23T12:02:52Z","article","Several residents raised concerns about vacant commercial buildings in downtown Rangeley and urged the select board and planning officials to pursue incentives and outreach to encourage redevelopment. \"I'd love to see more for rent signs,\" one resident said during the public comment period.

Speakers said some downtown parcels are privately held and inactive, limiting available space for new businesses and housing. Commenters suggested targeted tax incentives or short‑term credit enhancement agreements to jump‑start redevelopment. Committee members pointed to the recently approved downtown Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district as a potential tool and mentioned façade improvement programs and low‑interest loans as other incentives that could be considered.

The Comprehensive Plan Committee also recommended the town create clearer maps and online materials showing proposed village expansion areas to help property owners and potential investors visualize opportunities. Committee staff said they would arrange larger, clearer map blow‑ups and post them to the town website for public review.

Any incentive programs, credit enhancement agreements or TIF‑related decisions would require further drafting, fiscal analysis and town meeting votes; committee members noted that such financial tools can attract development but also require careful public review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing 6 18 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commenters pointed to vacant commercial properties downtown and suggested incentives — including credit enhancement agreements, façade loans and active outreach to owners — and committee members said the new downtown TIF could be a tool to encourage investment.","taxTitle","Rangeley, Franklin County , Maine","taxId",73952,"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},6188622,"Residents press Rangeley committee on health‑care and services for aging population",443,4554000,4997000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5062089-09ba287ec32478c1e376c18fb3e004ee&start=4554&end=4997","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5062089-09ba287ec32478c1e376c18fb3e004ee/thumbnail_4554000.jpg","/articles/6188622/Rangeley/Franklin-County/Maine/Residents-press-Rangeley-committee-on-healthcare-and-services-for-aging-population","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188622-b6ad7e4c52cc07a26023b959f61b7271/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037653&Signature=WSV4kSIfx4eD3XCwhvNl7Z8Evh1U3cGaUwhBUsIg8cbiyi--oB-A0rUhA4~EOAo~ySXIt5uTiyeXDpe3jxSbuaLnWP3C4bNNVozYB5eE49OOZFPVDgPx6H4wReM1LiMKsfKMwOx3ywMeyMPiQ1VOGnKj1tNqDZWPOH6nFcpfNBnUhOXBbyXxqW4LNQRG-qSUe4~O8z6h~wf7dHeyFmiiAaA1Gwm4Ecjc9PuFK24IN2aPLLaDCmULo6ZHBih-LkfmDYMjUgk8qXeWbUpcP9kjcCjrBRPoOzEZXyPpWHEMBONCSKhlFw3D5uMCBD-pMQ417eChIVfYwCjWU73RJyikFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents and committee members said health care and services for older residents are a pressing concern for Rangeley and that the comprehensive plan should reflect that urgency. \"We know that there's a need there,\" the plan presenter said, summarizing committee discussions about rural health services.

The presentation noted Rangeley's median age is substantially higher than county and state averages — the presenter cited roughly 10 years older than Franklin County and about 15 years older than the state — and said routine care, specialist services and urgent care remain distant. The draft includes a chapter on health care that documents the problem but offers limited direct solutions because many options depend on regional health systems, state policy and funding.

Committee members and commenters discussed options including expanded hours at the local health facility, partnerships with regional health providers, paramedic staffing, and potential collaboration with nearby educational institutions for rural health programs. One attendee suggested exploring long‑term care or assisted‑living development, noting such facilities can attract investment and address demand for elder care.

The committee said the plan's role is to document the need and create space in zoning and town policy to facilitate potential health‑care projects, while recognizing that implementing services would likely require outside partners and funding.","At the public hearing on the draft comprehensive plan residents and committee members emphasized the town’s aging population and limited local health‑care capacity; the plan flags the issue and calls for partnerships and available town space for future services.",{"_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},6188626,"Rangeley plan emphasizes water‑quality protections, stormwater and septic inspections",132,2009000,2141000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5062089-09ba287ec32478c1e376c18fb3e004ee&start=2009&end=2141","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5062089-09ba287ec32478c1e376c18fb3e004ee/thumbnail_2009000.jpg","/articles/6188626/Rangeley/Franklin-County/Maine/Rangeley-plan-emphasizes-waterquality-protections-stormwater-and-septic-inspections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188626-cc19127a6854bf0c5336d4da3f9172dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037653&Signature=h0tgjwdGI7~AGvWmxd-BVTakC1L4YOw-4trY06Q2Nsj1QyDPySiOA3Pc~9dPl-3GYmavZmErxs3UVLjoqWhayCQB5awIueHcydEClbXqAxA1MrpPUGdRdjSlO3EBcO2sXcZOee1eN4LMHgQygLFV1~MlehuvqZbV4SodblznTVzB2thlkAwgxInZd0o6ad6TUgKuq7zJXKxtXxbF8zMgP8AADijaOUH5wJMLTioii60cRhM-qDo3KCA9D3zQ7PPmERpmcQ~ui682TGrZ-2Mgm0eQoEciaXYf4DoGy54W8UvDbAWqyBkEL4NtiBmladwmIA3Po5xX2wq87DoQmhCq4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Comprehensive Plan Committee proposed new development standards and practices to protect lakes, streams and shorelines in Rangeley, emphasizing stormwater control, reduced impervious surfaces and inspection programs. \"Inspection I think is huge,\" the presenter said while discussing site inspections and best management practices.

The draft recommends updating erosion‑control standards, adopting riparian buffers, reducing required parking or impervious surfaces where appropriate, and expanding contractor training in state best management practices. The presenter noted malfunctioning septic systems near lakes are a primary water‑quality threat and suggested inspections when shoreland properties are sold to verify functioning systems and pumping records.

The plan includes recommendations to improve public works practices and incorporate civil‑engineer inspections on larger sites. It also proposes cluster‑development provisions and transfer‑of‑development‑rights (TDR) as tools to concentrate development and preserve rural open space. The presenter said training and enforcement are key: if contractors and public‑works crews know and follow best practices, the committee argued, heavy‑handed regulation may be less necessary.

Public comments at the hearing recalled past erosion events and called for stronger enforcement. Committee members said shoreland protections and stormwater controls are in the plan’s natural‑resources chapter and that related grant opportunities are more accessible if the town adopts the plan.","The draft comprehensive plan calls for stronger erosion and stormwater standards, inspections of septic systems in shoreland areas, training for contractors, and consideration of transfer‑of‑development‑rights to protect rural land.",{"_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},6188631,"Rangeley plan urges denser village zoning, incentives to tackle housing shortage",348,602000,950000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5062089-09ba287ec32478c1e376c18fb3e004ee&start=602&end=950","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5062089-09ba287ec32478c1e376c18fb3e004ee/thumbnail_602000.jpg","/articles/6188631/Rangeley/Franklin-County/Maine/Rangeley-plan-urges-denser-village-zoning-incentives-to-tackle-housing-shortage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188631-25a1129d09704a2ac7c47fe322be5ce4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037653&Signature=OLHm96ltf71Mnk88mCDJv5-KFIkfoD64~QNMEZohacX9m4nx4K5~QVdZH8745stGYxk5MvjfmXtQyceFOqfpacFY6ovml3ikHIK4MplH8x~c5WGk8IfQn5cIsp~iflWL72MclwWnpT9ul-ucrpOilZLpR8F-odR~XnSvYhzeTLJALxdgjRr~LeVApSCz-XkSIm5tvSxeWtkf7NxBs3-~exadbc7RjtmuBnTnL73nJi8baMz3vIFMLGvKEmZKG6-~Q85oEod4qCpqQXg1QyC~x-evPz1ClCzCx9N8W5puGUfl6jN5A9WA5tt9uUKGT9dSsVzlrylR3F-Q7cdYNTHO0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rangeley Comprehensive Plan Committee identified housing as a top priority at its public hearing, urging zoning adjustments and incentives to create more attainable and varied housing options. \"I think first and foremost, we learned that Rangeley needs more housing,\" said Don, the plan presenter.

The plan recommends concentrating growth in village areas where water and sewer exist and proposes advisory future‑land‑use lines that would change some residential districts to village districts, which the committee said would cut minimum lot sizes roughly in half. The presenter said those lines are advisory and intended to direct denser growth to served areas. \"We'd really like to keep the growth concentrated in the village area so that it keeps this area ... undeveloped as much as possible,\" he said.

The draft calls for a broadening of permitted housing types — including apartments, duplexes, lodging houses and tiny homes — and for streamlining the review process for projects that provide affordable housing. The committee also proposed consideration of a transfer‑of‑development‑rights (TDR) program and targeted subsidies such as affordable‑housing TIFs or grants to lower upfront costs. The presenter warned that affordability typically requires subsidy or public assistance and suggested preservation mechanisms for subsidized units so they do not immediately reenter the market at market prices.

Public commenters raised downtown vacancy as a barrier to new investment, urging incentives and façade improvement programs. One resident urged the town to offer targeted tax or credit incentives to encourage redevelopment, saying, \"I'd love to see more for rent signs.\" Committee members pointed to the recently approved downtown TIF as one available tool to encourage investment but noted zoning and implementation steps would require further drafting and town votes.

Next steps: the committee said adoption of the plan would guide but not automatically change zoning; separate ordinance drafting and public hearings would be required before any zoning amendment becomes effective.","Committee members said Rangeley needs diverse, attainable housing and proposed downzoning parts of the downtown village to halve minimum lot sizes, allow mixed use and consider transfer‑of‑development‑rights and incentives to preserve affordability.",{"_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},6188636,"Rangeley committee previews 125-page comprehensive plan; public hearing held",5170,97000,5267000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5062089-09ba287ec32478c1e376c18fb3e004ee&start=97&end=5267","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5062089-09ba287ec32478c1e376c18fb3e004ee/thumbnail_97000.jpg","/articles/6188636/Rangeley/Franklin-County/Maine/Rangeley-committee-previews-125-page-comprehensive-plan-public-hearing-held","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188636-2a66212104f60c88be0e0c784d1d06c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771037653&Signature=FwMvGIKD6B6kd3XbirHZZX25IllU3fbrg-fxLkFErI9kmuH1sVcuDSXoi1vc6FIotX6Ny3ykFaY7l76nSrwKOFrtPIPLuQbXI93bIW0RncsA7HA0QmX0Glpp4d1xH1yN3ThUckGf2bauLJd8FTt8tsjsgM5dFYMuykHqRDhUWP4mFrlcwkUHNhjnMSoCAe8yas7fyqQ7X0jdTjNvKgnIogdYoUe4-l1V3xfRXwZuVtycEMvFpAerZCQ9j5zXHGjAg7M46Yhe-lUfCLPhyOYTo0bI6AHrnm4z48EUsaX2T8vfZFwTr7voWYmjZMP-1Q3RSILMKlCqR7adarQ7CPqx8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rangeley Comprehensive Plan Committee presented a draft comprehensive plan at a public hearing and invited public comment as the draft moves through a state consistency review and toward a town‑meeting vote. \"So, really, what's important for us is we wanna hear your feedback,\" said Chris Farmer, chair of the Comprehensive Plan Committee.

The plan — described by committee members as about 125 pages and posted for public review at least 30 days before the hearing — was sent to the state for a statutorily required consistency review. \"They have 45 days, and we are probably at ... in the thirties right now,\" said a staff member involved in the submission process, noting the committee aimed to finalize edits in time for an August town meeting vote. The committee said certain chapters have already been shared with the state and that public comments could prompt further changes.

Why this matters: adoption of a comprehensive plan affects future zoning changes and makes the town eligible for certain grants. The committee said the plan is intended as a 10‑year guide — a framework of priorities and possible actions — not an immediate set of regulations. As the presenter put it, the plan is \"a general skeleton\" that must be followed by more detailed ordinance work, permitting changes and capital budgeting before any new programs or rules take effect.

The hearing summarized key findings in the plan and solicited public input. Among the themes the committee highlighted were housing shortages and affordability, protection of natural resources and water quality, economic development and downtown vacancy, and the health‑care needs of an aging population. Committee leaders said the plan recommends specific zoning adjustments in the village area to encourage denser housing and includes chapters on climate resilience and natural‑resource protection.

Next steps described at the hearing: the committee will collect comments, incorporate revisions where required, and seek the state’s final consistency determination. The committee indicated it would like most written comments within about 10 days and prefers to have final edits no later than July so it can meet the 30‑day public‑notice requirements before a town‑meeting vote scheduled for August.","The Rangeley Comprehensive Plan Committee presented a draft of a roughly 125‑page comprehensive plan at a public hearing and confirmed the draft has been submitted to the state for a 45‑day consistency review ahead of a planned town vote in August.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents, committee discuss downtown vacancies, TIF and incentives to spur redevelopment

Residents press Rangeley committee on health‑care and services for aging population

Rangeley plan emphasizes water‑quality protections, stormwater and septic inspections

Rangeley plan urges denser village zoning, incentives to tackle housing shortage

Rangeley committee previews 125-page comprehensive plan; public hearing held