Comprehensive Plan Update

What kind of place do you want Biddeford to be in the future? How do you want to see Biddeford grow, with new streets, new homes, new places to shop, play and enjoy nature? Where in Biddeford do you want to see the land used for recreation or to be left undisturbed? We want to hear from you!

Your involvement in Biddeford's Comprehensive Plan process will help influence life in our city over the coming years. When we all come together, we can create a shared vision for the future Biddeford. The comprehensive plan is a roadmap to make this vision a reality. 

For updates on the Comprehensive Plan please go to the following link:

 https://our.biddefordmaine.org/en/projects/comp-plan1

Stay Involved

We’ll be offering a variety of ways for you to help, including public meetings, focus groups, and online engagement. You can check back to this page, www.biddefordmaine.org/comprehensiveplan, for more information, sign up for our Comprehensive Plan Updates email list, or stay connected with us on social media to find opportunities to have your voice heard.

Sign up for email updates about the Comprehensive Plan

FAQs

What is a Comprehensive Plan?

A Comprehensive Plan guides growth in a community, influences policy decisions at many levels, and helps ensure a better future.

Part of the plan takes stock of where we are now. It describes the features and characteristics that exist today in Biddeford. These parts of the plan have begun to be developed and can be reviewed in the "Working Draft" document linked above.

Other parts of the plan take this information and create a plan for growth in a thoughtful manner. This is the part of the plan that we need your help with! The feedback that we collect through surveys and follow-up public engagement will define the community goals, and the strategies for reaching them, that are laid out in the final draft of the Comprehensive Plan that is presented to City Council.


Why is the Comprehensive Plan being updated now?

Communities in Maine are required to create a comprehensive plan every 10 years or so. Our last plan was created more than 10 years ago now.

There is a high level of interest in development in Biddeford right now. When development proposals are reviewed, our elected and appointed officials are actively making decisions that will shape Biddeford’s future. We need an up-to-date comprehensive plan that can be referenced to help guide these decisions. Our existing comprehensive plan does not accurately reflect the current state of or vision for the community.


How do you plan to engage members of the community who do not have access to the Internet?

We have identified several ways to inform residents about this process that do not require internet access, including but not limited to: articles and advertisements in the Courier, outreach through the School Department, McArthur Library and other community partners, paper copies of surveys located in community hubs, messages on electronic signs throughout the city, and posters in local businesses. Additionally, a portion of the survey process will be conducted through a citywide direct mailing. We are also open to hearing any other suggestions for safe offline outreach!


Who can I contact for more information about the Comprehensive Plan?

Please contact the Planning & Development Office at 207-284-9115.