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