SUMMARY OF PROPOSED RESOURCE PROTECTION DISTRICT REVISIONS
2023 Zoning Map Revisions: Updated to reflect the Comprehensive Plan’s recommendations, removing outdated floodplain data and incorporating new criteria of mandatory shoreland zoning, stream buffers, large wetlands, waterfowl/wading bird habitats, and areas with high co-occurrence of natural resources.
Public Concerns: Significant public concern over the accuracy of state data and the impact on existing structures led to a subsequent review of the Resource Protection District changes by a working group of Planning Board and Conservation Commission members.
New Data: In 2024, Durham received updated data from Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife’s Beginning with Habitat Program indicating that only small areas along some streams meet the higher co-occurrence threshold, leading to proposed boundary revisions.
Building Restrictions: Existing home sites in the Resource Protection District face expansion restrictions. The removal of inaccurate Beginning with Habitat Co-Occurrence areas will alleviate restrictions for some buildings, but others will remain restricted.
Options for Removing Home Sites: Three options were considered for removing existing home sites from Resource Protection, with the Working Group recommending a 100-foot development buffer around existing structures to provide relief while maintaining environmental protections.
Development Buffers: Specific recommendations for 100-foot development buffers around existing buildings in floodplains and large wetlands, but with refined building buffers for the more sensitive stream buffers, and waterfowl/wading bird habitats to allow expansions without further environmental degradation.
Zoning Map & Ordinance Revisions: The Working Group recommends revising the Zoning Map to remove areas designated solely based on the co-occurrence of natural resources and adjusting boundaries to remove restrictions on existing buildings, with clear guidelines added to the Land Use Ordinance.
