As the Moosehead Messenger follows the course of the Plum Creek application, last week it published the first of a two-part series entitled “Moosehead at a cross-roads,” in which some official and local interviews were made to gauge reaction to the recommendations and about the plan. LURC seeks public comment through July 11.

Following is Part II, the continuation of “cross-roads”.

Beaver Cove retiree Jack Bair, a former town leader, offered, “I can understand the economic concerns to the area because some people believe it'll create jobs, but I don't know about the long-term.

“I do believe development is going to come anyway. But all these residences – I don't see them increasing the population or increasing the numbers in the schools because it's all seasonal. Locals may be able to pick up seasonal or part-time jobs, but something is needed where you make a decent living. That's why we see so many retirees here. We've done it and are here to enjoy the last years of our lives. My opinion is it's going to be a seasonal type of thing.

“Also, all of this is taking place in the unorganized territories. UT taxes don't go directly to the effected communities, they go to the state. It'll run down some, but it won't be a direct flow to the communities. Good or bad – Plum Creek is a land development company. And that's their right. Of course, environmental groups don't like it and [economic] developers do. I'll tell you, LURC has their hands full.”

“I don't think it's great for Rockwood because it will not only change the area completely, but they'll want to organize us as a town eventually. I don't believe locals can afford it. I don't think jobs are going to be here for local people. All the local businesses should be concerned,” said Rockwood native Kristen McDonough, also the area's licensing agent.

Robert Dunphy (R-District 1) county commissioner of the unorganized territories for Somerset County had this to say: “What are locals concerned about? Taxes. It's foolish to think that the fire dept. and emergency service can maintain anything there. People that buy up there assume they're going to get the same services they're used to, but it's impossible, given what the population is.

“So with this plan, they'll [Plum Creek] have their own fire dept. and their own ambulance and work in conjunction with local. We as a county just can't do it.”

Dunphy, who represents the greater Rockwood area, said he had not read the LURC recommendations, but planned on it, and added he was sympathetic to the big landowners, “It's their land, then they should be able to do what they want, as long as they meet the rules. As long as Plum Creek furnishes the funding and the people to maintain the safety of those people, my feeling is the more business, sometimes the better. This is only a re-zoning. The next thing will be a whole different ballgame.

“As far as Rockwood people – no one has expressed a concern to me, except one large landowner. The people's opinions are not being represented by LURC. I do code enforcement and am a plumbing inspector. It's a strenuous job and you can't do it from Augusta. My answer is: let county government do the UTs. Technically, LURC does the planning now, but they don't do stuff they should do. LURC won't be able to enforce.

“My big points are: you have a county commission. If you have issues, notify them. It's hard to represent them if you don't hear from anyone. Very few people in the UTs complain. In the Plum Creek plan, I'll represent them in the best possible way. I do approve of the re-zoning. But what they [Plum Creek] do with it after that -- I'm as clueless as anybody else is. But, any plan is better than no plan at all.”

A number of local businesses and residents spoke one-on-one about the plan, but declined to speak publicly about it.

Some LURC recommendations to the plan include:

• scaling back the proposed resort at Lily Bay, keeping the same number of resort & residential units, and transferring about 3,000 acres into the Balance easement
• changing proposed housing zones at Moose Bay to add the potential for a third resort
• replacing three types of residential/commercial zones with one broad zone that allows various types of housing development, public and civic facilities and uses
• from East Outlet to Brassua Lake peninsula, also allowing zoning for “neighborhood-scale” commercial facilities and uses (restaurants, shops, spas, general stores, marinas) by special exception; land devoted to commercial uses in these areas limited to maximum aggregate sizes: 50 acres each on Rt. 15 corridor and on Brassua Lake, unlimited commercial within 1,000 feet of Rt. 15 near Rockwood village, 25 acres elsewhere on Blue Ridge
• having the Holder of both the Balance and Legacy easements be the same entity
• making a thorough review of open-ended easement language to clarify the meaning and implications of the easements
• having both easements go into effect within 45 days after finalization of the Concept Plan
• breaking out the proposed Community Stewardship Fund into three distinct funds for: Moosehead Recreation 45%, Affordable Housing 45%, Wildlife/Invasive Species 10%.

Comments may be emailed to: LURC@maine.gov or by writing to: LURC, 22 State House Station, Augusta, Maine, 04333, Attn. Senior Planner Aga Pinette.
"This content originally appeared as a copyrighted article in the Moosehead Messenger and is used here with permission."