Sec. 1. 30-A MRSA §4403, sub-§1-A, as amended by PL 1997, c. 226, §1, is further amended to read:

1-A. Joint meetings. If any portion of a subdivision crosses municipal boundaries, all meetings and hearings to review the application must be held jointly by the reviewing authorities from each municipality. All meetings and hearings to review an application under section 4407 for a revision or amendment to a subdivision that crosses municipal boundaries must be held jointly by the reviewing authorities from each municipality. This joint review must ensure the compliance of the subdivision with all applicable provisions of the zoning ordinances and other local laws and regulations of each municipality. In addition to other review criteria, the reviewing authorities shall consider and make a finding of fact regarding the criteria described in section 4404, subsection 19.

The reviewing authorities in each municipality, upon written agreement, may waive the requirement under this subsection for any joint meeting or hearing.

If any portion of a proposed subdivision is situated within 1,000 feet of an abutting municipality, the municipality in which the proposed subdivision is located shall notify the abutting municipality in writing within 10 days of the submission of a completed application.__At any time before final approval of the proposed subdivision by the municipality in which the proposed subdivision is situated, the abutting municipality may request, in writing, joint review of the proposed subdivision if the proposed subdivision is reasonably expected to affect traffic, infrastructure, storm water flow or drainage, the environment or the delivery of municipal services in the abutting municipality.__ When this joint review is requested, all meetings and hearings to review an application for a proposed subdivision that is situated within 1,000 feet of an abutting municipality must be held jointly by the reviewing authorities from each municipality.__ This joint review must ensure the compliance of the subdivision with all applicable provisions of the zoning ordinances and other local laws and regulations of each municipality.__In addition to other review criteria, the reviewing authorities shall consider and make a finding of fact regarding the criteria described in section 4404.

SUMMARY

Current planning law requires a joint review by the planning boards in abutting municipalities whenever a proposed subdivision