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nature are typically located away from other development; to expand | | highways that meet national, state or regionwide needs; and for | | tourist and cultural facilities that rely on specific historic, | | natural or cultural resources. An exception also is made for | | municipalities that, prior to January 1, 2000, have requested but | | have not yet received state financial assistance for the | | preparation of a comprehensive plan or that have received such | | assistance within the previous 2 years. |
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| | | The bill requires the Department of Administrative and | | Financial Services, Bureau of General Services to develop site | | selection criteria for state facilities that give preference to | | priority locations, identified as service center downtowns, | | service center growth areas and downtowns and growth areas in | | other than service center communities. The bill directs the | | Department of Economic and Community Development to develop an | | investment policy that will provide means to improve the | | condition of downtown properties and infrastructure to meet the | | multiple-use needs of downtowns and to report its recommendations | | to the Legislature by January 15, 2001. |
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| | | The bill adds school facilities to the list of infrastructure | | facilities for which impact fees may be used by municipalities. |
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| | | The bill authorizes the Maine Municipal Bond Bank to make | | loans to municipalities from the Municipal Investment Trust Fund | | for downtown improvements, including facade improvements, utility | | relocation improvements, elevator installation, historic | | preservation improvements, sprinkler system installation, parking | | improvements, roads, traffic control devices, parks and open | | space amenities, purchase of development rights for parks and | | open space, streetscape, sidewalks and curbs and utility upgrade | | and extension. The bill appropriates $5,000,000 for downtown | | improvement loans. |
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| | | The bill establishes the Task Force to Study Growth | | Management, composed of 16 members, to conduct a review of the | | growth management laws and issues related to growth management. |
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| | | The bill requires the Land and Water Resources Council to | | submit a report to the Legislature with an evaluation of the use | | of incentives to keep rural land undeveloped. The bill requires | | the State Planning Office and the Department of Environmental | | Protection to promote the Maine Municipal Brownfields Revolving | | Loan Fund and the voluntary response action program and to submit | | a joint report by January 15, 2001 to the Legislature with an | | evaluation of the initiative and recommendations for expanding | | the redevelopment of so-called "brownfields" in the State. |
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