CARIBOU, Maine

The Caribou Planning Board on July 10 agreed to transmit a 176-page draft of the city's comprehensive plan to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry for state review, but board members said they expect to finish minor edits and circulate the draft to the full council before submitting.

Planning staff told members the draft remains a work in progress: several sections require final edits and graphic conversion before the plan will be posted as a downloadable PDF. The board discussed the two-stage review process: first state review (staff will ask the department for an estimated review timeline), and then a required 30-day public review that includes a public hearing at a council meeting once state comments are addressed.

Staff said the plan is overdue (originally due in 2024) but is at the stage where it should be sent for state review once a few outstanding edits are incorporated. The planning board chair and the mayor were asked to sign a transmittal letter to the state after staff finishes the edits and produces the final PDF.

Members asked that the draft be shared with city councilors before state submission so councilors can review ahead of any state comments. Staff said they will aim to incorporate edits, send the PDF to the graphic designer, and then issue a download link to board members and councilors in the coming week.

Ending note: The board expects to post the draft for public review after the state review window and to schedule a public hearing at a council meeting once the state returns its comments.