Voters in Rangeley will consider changes to the Comprehensive Plan and revisions to the town’s sign ordinance at the polls Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Town Office, 15 School St.

The current Comprehensive Plan was adopted Sept. 13, 2012, and the Comprehensive Review Committee began the process of updating the plan in August 2023. The board began reviewing segments of the proposed plan in January.

While preparing the updated document, community planner Donna Larson Kane of LK Planning and members of the Comprehensive Review Committee considered input from local and regional stakeholders.

Town Manager Joe Roach said in May that the major points addressed by the updates include housing, and land use and density changes in some areas.

“Residents, business owners and local organizations all expressed the need for more housing,” Larson Kane said. “Housing that is suitable and affordable for seasonal workers, year-round workers, young families and senior citizens. Rangeley can’t attract more families and workers to town without more housing.”

Other key points taken into consideration include the need for more health care services and maintaining the region’s clean lakes, ponds, rivers and streams, Larson said.

The plan was recently found to be consistent with the Growth Management Act by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Roach said in an email Aug. 21.

The proposed changes to the sign ordinance include addressing external illumination of signs, and limiting the total square feet of signs allowed on a single lot occupied by multiple businesses.

“Light from an externally illuminated sign should be arranged so that no direct rays of light from spotlights or floodlights are projected … into adjoining properties or streets,” the proposal reads, in part.

External lighting would also need to be fully shielded and directed downward so only the target area is illuminated.

For lots with multiple businesses, the ordinance allows a base of 32 square feet of sign for the first business and 12 square feet for additional businesses. The total square feet allowed will be divided equally among all businesses located on the lot.

The proposed complete Comprehensive Plan and sign ordinance can be found on the town website, townofrangeley.com.