Vinalhaven commission urged to seek $10,000 grant to update comprehensive plan and fold in new ADU law

The Vinalhaven Planning Commission on Feb. 9 discussed launching an update of the town’s Comprehensive Plan and was urged to apply for a $10,000 grant to help incorporate recent state housing law changes.

Marjorie Stratton, Vinalhaven town manager, said she had not yet applied for an Island Fellow grant because commission members lacked the time to act as advisors on a complex, island‑specific effort. Dan DeBrod of the Midcoast Regional Council of Governments offered to help with the application and said the funds are first‑come, first‑served; any unused grant dollars from ordinance work could be applied to other housing‑related tasks.

Why it matters: The commission’s current Comprehensive Plan covers 2014–2025, and members said many issues have evolved since then — including sea‑level‑rise planning, community resiliency, changes in the fishery, working‑waterfront access and a persistent housing shortage. Updating the Plan and the town’s land‑use ordinance would let Vinalhaven align local rules with state law while identifying priorities through a community survey.

Dan DeBrod and Clare Oxford of Midcoast COG outlined the scope and timing for planning work. They said fieldwork can take about 3–6 months; an update could take roughly 18 months, while a full rewrite would likely take longer. DeBrod also recommended forming a broadly representative Comprehensive Plan committee, suggesting 8–10 members that include a Selectboard member and representatives of the Planning Commission and Planning Board.

Commission members discussed how pending or imminent revisions to LD 1829 could affect local drafting. Chuck Gadzik suggested waiting for any legislative changes — the Legislature is scheduled to adjourn March 21 — before finalizing ordinance amendments. Dan offered to send a plain‑language summary of the law prepared by the Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission.

The meeting also touched on accessory dwelling unit (ADU) policy. Elin Elisofon reported from a Maine Island Coalition briefing that participants suggested municipalities could restrict ADUs to year‑round housing to limit conversions to short‑term rentals. Justin Van Dongan, Vinalhaven’s CEO, said he did not see an enforceability problem with a local restriction limiting ADUs to year‑round occupancy.

Next steps: The commission asked members to read the existing Plan and to propose committee candidates; the Planning Commission agreed to provide names for a Comprehensive Plan committee. The group set a follow‑up meeting for March to continue work on committee formation and grant pursuit.

The commission did not vote on any formal actions or appropriate ordinance text during the Feb. 9 meeting.