Introduction: A few years ago, the Ellsworth community decided it was time to update its Comprehensive Plan because it wanted to modify the way it was growing. The project was steered by a large committee bringing to the table a wide range of views, knowledge, and ideas about the Ellsworth community. Although it took some time to understand the broad array of problems needing to be addressed and to develop solutions reflecting local conditions and values, the product is a strong and credible plan, tailored to the needs of the Ellsworth community while meeting the goals of the State’s Growth Management Act. The plan was unanimously adopted by the City Council on February 14, 2005.
Purpose and Vision: The purpose of the Ellsworth Comprehensive Plan is to present a shared vision for the future of the City, as well as to establish policies, goals, and recommended actions to implement the vision.
Part of this vision will be realized through land use regulations. This means that the City will integrate the regulatory land use policies of the Comprehensive Plan within the Ellsworth’s land use-based ordinances namely into the 1) Street and Stormwater Management Design and Constructions Standards; 2) Land Use Ordinance; and 3) Subdivision Ordinance. The outcome will be a set of improved ordinances that furthers the vision of the people of Ellsworth.
Plan and Maps:
To read the November 2004 plan (1.2 MB PDF) click here.
To view the Comprehensive Plan maps, click here.
City of Ellsworth Home Page -- Planning Home -- Planning Projects
Ellsworth CP Update – 2004
Ellsworth citizens envision a future with increasing attention to quality of life issues for its residents. They see future growth and the community’s desirability as a destination site for others, which is consistent with the following ideals:
- A safe, efficient transportation system, which encourages biking, public transit and walking as an alternative to automobile use, but also promotes safe and efficient vehicular traffic.
- Compact, pedestrian friendly neighborhoods that incorporate compatible mixed land uses in, and adjacent, to the downtown area.
- Infrastructure systems such as water, sewer and solid waste, which meet long-term needs, using long-range planning and financing strategies.
- Dedication to a quality built environment, reflecting standards that are aesthetically pleasing, historically sensitive and attractive to complementary development. Included in this desire is greater awareness of the importance of our historical heritage and the need to preserve it.
- A sustainable and diverse year-round economy that provides living wages.
- Development of the city’s unique waterfront area in accordance with the recently developed Waterfront Plan.
- Preservation and addition of green space, parks, walkways and bikeways.
- Awareness and protection of critical natural resources.
- Effective use of growth management tools to promote “smart growth” while protecting rural lands from premature development and inefficient sprawl.
- A broad range of housing options available to residents of all income levels.
- A level of excellence in education programs and facilities for all residents, and long-range programs for determining and scheduling infrastructure needs.
- On-going development of quality health services locally and regionally, including transport needs.
- Assuring active involvement of citizens in an open and accessible city government process.
- Supporting increased regional capacity to ensure a prosperous future and minimize duplication of services and expenditures on a regional level.