Planning

Responsibilities

The Planning and Economic Development Office provides Orono with comprehensive land-use planning services and advises the Planning Board and Town Council on all development matters. We welcome the opportunity to help applicants and citizens understand requirements for moving through local subdivision and site plan reviews. 

The Office routinely looks for opportunities for economic development and redevelopment; to maintain the rural character of outlying parts of Town; and to protect the environmental quality of the community. It works with the University of Maine, the Orono Economic Development Corporation, and others to create an environment in which the University, Downtown, and businesses can grow.

Land Use Ordinance

Orono's Land Use Ordinance is Chapter 18 of the Town's Code of Ordinances. It includes townwide zoning (Article IV), general performance standards (Article V), site plan review (Article VI), subdivision review (Article VII), floodplain management (Article VIII), and shoreland zoning (Article IX).

Regional Planning Efforts

Orono is a member of the Bangor Area Comprehensive Transportation System (BACTS), which sets priorities for transportation improvements in the Bangor Metro area.

Orono was one of 12 communities in the Penobscot Valley to work with the Trust for Public Lands on a regional open space plan. TPL used its "greenprinting" system - a combination of citizen participation, scientific analysis, and a geographic information system - to prepare the plan, The Penobscot Valley Community Greenprint, and a related, interactive web map.