LD 1752 - Resolve to Prepare Pre-Approved Building Types
This resolve directs the state to develop a catalog of engineered-stamped building plans in compliance with the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code. Municipalities may then choose to adopt any or all of the available pre-approved building plans within locally designated growth areas. Communities that opt into approving building types will offer an expedited review process for any proposed development that incorporates the pre-approved buildings.
Pre-approved buildings should be prepared so that the detail, design, and material specifications strike a balance between local architectural precedent and the cost of construction. Wherever possible, materials should be specified that are durable, repairable, and will be long-lasting in the local climate. Proposals which include plan sets incorporating best practices and contemporary standards for efficiency and resiliency will be given greater weight in selection criteria by the state.
This voluntary municipal process:
Is particularly well-suited to rural municipalities which may not have the staff or high-capital developers willing to invest.
Provides a toolkit for municipalities to help incentivize development that is supported by the community.
Lowers the cost of housing by reducing the time associated with securing project approvals.
Encourages residents to engage in local decision-making before a specific development proposal is being considered.
Removes systemic barriers to small developers who may not have the resources for design services knowledge of municipal approval processes.
Informational presentations on the concept can be found at the links below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cg4SZjRnaX8
https://youtu.be/BygzsJ58ytI
The goal of Policy Action 2023 is to address barriers to and create incentives for equitable, sustainable growth and development that strengthens downtowns and villages of all sizes while pulling development pressure away from productive and open natural areas. We do so acknowledging that Maine has urban, rural, and suburban settings for which any solution may/not be a fit and a variety of people who deserve to be welcomed to their communities.
Questions related to this bill? Reach out to the working group point person Galen Weibley at gweibley@presqueisleme.us.
The public hearing for LD 1752 is scheduled for Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 1:00 pm before the Legislature's Joint Select Committee on Housing.
Begin your letter with:
Dear Senator Pierce, Representative Gere, and Members of the Joint Select Committee on Housing,
My name is [ ENTER NAME] and I live in [ ENTER TOWN].
Describe your reasons for supporting LD 1752.