Planner presents next phase of Rangeley comprehensive plan, urges site‑plan review and impact‑fee updates

The Rangeley Board of Selectmen received an update on the town’s comprehensive plan from Donna Larson of OK Planning, who said the project is moving into its more important phase and requires more detailed research, data and public engagement.

Larson recommended assembling committees and liaisons to help vet ideas in the November 13 memo and to update Chapter 38 chapters on housing, historic resources, the economy and natural resources. She outlined two options to oversee affordable housing: creating a housing authority, which can accept federal funding, or establishing a nonprofit entity that could accept private donations and grants; Larson said a nonprofit might be a better fit for Rangeley if philanthropy or certain grants are anticipated.

Larson also urged the board to develop a site‑plan review process with clear standards and applicability, and to revisit the town’s impact‑fee ordinance. “Impact fees should be thought of in terms of capital improvements and you must be able to justify the fee that you are charging,” she said, adding that exemptions for typical or affordable homes should be considered while applying fees to larger second‑home construction.

Selectmen discussed staffing and enforcement capacity, aligning ordinances with the new plan, and the timing of ordinance updates; staff said ordinance adjustments needed to follow adoption and that litigation risks have occurred in the past when ordinances and plan language diverged. The board indicated interest in forming committees and asked staff to return with next steps and public‑engagement timelines.