GRAY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2020
The Finalized Gray Comprehensive Plan Summary for the November 3rd, 2020 vote is available for public inspection here.
To view the FULL document with all inventory chapters and appendices it may be read here.
A printed copy can be viewed in the Community Development Dept. at Gray Town Hall (24 Main St.) or at the Gray Public Library (5 Hancock St.) during normal business hours.
What is a Comprehensive Plan?
A Comprehensive Plan is a planning document intended to be a guide for communities when making policy and land use decisions over a 10 to 15 year period. The comprehensive planning process is an opportunity for communities to come together, take inventory of current trends and data at that moment in time, and look ahead at the challenges and opportunities facing the community. It is a chance to unite over a common vision of the future, while prioritizing common values determined by public input. After taking inventory of current trends and data, a public process is conducted to create a vision statement and values that will ultimately guide the recommendations of the Plan. The public process will also help to guide the development of a Future Land Use Plan which will determine where the town directs or discourages future growth and development.
The process of comprehensive planning is often the start of further conversations in the community around issues related to preservation of open spaces and rural character, economic development, housing options, how to serve the community’s youngest and oldest residents, and other big topics. The Comprehensive Plan can help inform of those discussions and very often the Comprehensive Plan will include recommendations for further planning and policy work.
Why is it important?
The Comprehensive Plan is an important planning document because it guides policy decisions, zoning decisions, and municipal investments. The Comprehensive Plan consists of inventory chapters covering topics such as the economy, transportation, recreation, housing, and population. The inventory chapters provide a detailed overview of each topic which is important for long range planning decisions. Each chapter includes associated goals, strategies, and policies that will dictate how the Plan is implemented. The inventory process is a critical foundation that sets the stage for a public process that will ultimately craft the community’s vision for the future and identify important shared values, as well as form the future land use section of this Plan. Taking inventory of our Town, as it stands today, allows for our community to be realistic about planning for the future. Being able to reflect on how and where Gray has developed in the past will help determine the course to take in the future.
Lastly, a Comprehensive Plan, approved as consistent by the State makes municipalities eligible for State grants and loans, and allows municipalities to legally impose a zoning and shoreland zoning ordinance.