A tight housing market will likely become tighter in the next 10 years. A county-wide housing study commissioned this spring by Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission showed 1,048 housing units are needed to keep pace with current growth. In response to this forecast, the commission is meeting with municipalities in an effort to identify future affordable housing locations. 

Executive Director Mary Ellen Barnes, County Planner Emily Rabbe and Assistant Planner Laura Graziano have begun meeting with municipal leaders. On Nov. 14, Graziano met with Edgecomb selectmen. She told them the report indicates a growing need for workforce, older adults and retiree housing as major forces driving demand. The study showed Edgecomb would need 22 units to meet demand: single family homes, eight; attached single family units, 11; and accessory dwelling units, three.

She also described housing growth over the past two decades. From 2000 to 2010, county housing stock rose from 572 to 755. It grew to 794 by 2020 or a 38.8% overall growth, according to the study. Several factors may slow future growth in Edgecomb compared to other county towns. Edgecomb already has a 70% year-round population. Code Enforcement Officer George Chase compared Edgecomb’s number to Boothbay’s which shows a year-round population of 50% occupancy which is identical to the county’s year-round figure. The second factor is Edgecomb has restrictive ordinances; this prevents rapid growth. Selectman Mike Smith explained how town ordinances created in the late 1980s impacted housing. “Zoning changes have really slowed our growth. We have a lot of one-acre, three-acre and five-acre lot minimums for water and sewer which has made development very expensive,” he said. 

Smith identified conservation as another factor. In the past year, Edgecomb has lost over 300 acres to conservation. “Coastal Rivers (Conservation Trust) bought 200 acres on Dodge and Middle roads. BRLT (Boothbay Region Land Trust) just bought 103 acres on River Road. They plan on selling three acres where the house stands, and place the remaining 100 in conservation,” he said.

Chase believes small ordinance changes would reap large rewards. “I don’t think we need major changes. A few small changes would help. There are families who want to break off a piece of property for their kids, but they can’t because the three-acre minimum is cost prohibitive.”

Graziano reported the commission is working on 21 strategies for housing growth. The commission is prioritizing strategy 4A, “Compiling and Prioritizing Potential Housing Sites.” The commission wants to work with municipalities compiling a list of possible sites along with cross-checking them with Geographic Information System data. “This is a step in allocating our limited resources as the most impactful way to engage possible affordable housing sites,” she said. “The analysis will look at environmental factors, zoning and land use growth areas.”

During the preliminary work, Graziano promised all potential sites identified would be held in confidence. 

In other action, selectmen need to fill appeals vacancies for an upcoming appeals board hearing. A Carlisle, Massachusetts couple are appealing three violations Chase submitted in regard to their Shore Road property. Chase assessed violations against property owners Alison and Mike Saylor who bought the property earlier this year. Chase told selectmen he advised the new owners the property was a non-conforming lot. “This means they can’t build on the grounds,” he said. 

After Maine Department of Environmental Protection inspected the property, Chase issued the following violations: a structure moved on to the property was too close to the water, a porch was illegally attached to the camp without a permit, and there was not enough square footage for a campsite. “These violations are all easily fixed, but they disagree, and want to appeal,” Chase said.

The board is looking for two appeals board members and two alternates. Selectmen also accepted a bid by Serv-Pro of Brunswick to clean the town hall. The company bid $8,330 which included a deep carpet clean selectmen said was the decisive factor in choosing Serv-Pro over Bouchard Cleaning and Restoration. The town will use American Rescue Plan Act funds to pay 70% and town hall maintenance funds to pay the remainder.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28 in the conference room.