• The Town of Bar Harbor is beginning to develop a new Comprehensive Plan, with an outlook to the year 2035.

• Please read below and explore the links for more information.

the May 23 & 24 Visioning workshops were a huge success!

About 185 individuals participated at all the workshops combined!

Click this link if you want to provide additional feedback to the DRAFT 2035 Vision and/or the Future Land Use options.

A website dedicated to this new Comprehensive Plan project has been developed, and can also be accessed by clicking the image below (which also links to the webpage):

Project Purpose Description & Background:

The purpose of the new Bar Harbor Comprehensive Plan is to reflect and respond to the needs, values, and priorities of the community while safeguarding Bar Harbor’s sense of place, history, and natural resources. The new plan will serve as a guide for future growth and development, covering subjects such as, but not limited to, land use, zoning, capacity and expansion of utilities, economic development, transportation, housing, recreation, capital budgeting, provision for municipal services and facilities, and regional coordination. The plan will also serve as a foundation for determining effective public policy, master planning, and land use decisions for the future. The new Bar Harbor Comprehensive Plan will have a 2035 outlook. Bar Harbor’s current Comprehensive Plan dates back to 2007. As part of the planning process, the town desires to place a major emphasis on community engagement to involve residents and stakeholders in framing a plan that truly belongs to the community and implements its values.

Contact and Comprehensive Planning Committee information:

• Michele Gagnon, Planning Director: planner@barharbormaine.gov
• Comprehensive Planning Committee: cpc@barharbormaine.gov
  
  
  • Meeting agendas and minutes from the Comprehensive Planning Committee, on the town's Agenda Center
  • Comprehensive Planning Committee webpage, listing meeting schedule, committee members and related information

Public Participation:

To find an upcoming meeting of the Comprehensive Planning Committee, be sure to check out the meeting agendas link above (public comment periods are part of each meeting).

For other ways to stay up to date and offer your input in the process, please visit the How to Participate page on the Comprehensive Plan project website.

Past Community Events:

Visioning Workshops to Plan for Bar Harbor's Future (May 23rd & 24th 2023)

The Town of Bar Harbor hosted a series of VISIONING WORKSHOPS to get input from the community on the future vision of growth, housing, transportation, and more. 

This was a free community event.

May 23rd: Visioning Workshop #1 @ MDI BioLab (12:30 PM - 2:30 PM)

• There was FREE PIZZA!

May 23rd: Visioning Workshop #2 @ Atlantic Brewing Midtown (6:30 PM - 8:30 PM)

• Food and drink was available for purchase!

May 24th: Visioning Workshop #3 @ Town of Bar Harbor Municipal Building (7:30 AM - 9:30 AM)

• There was free light breakfast refreshments!
• This workshop was tailored to the business community, however all are welcome to attend.

May 24th: Visioning Workshop #4 @ Conner Emerson School (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM)

• There will be FREE PIZZA!

Documents and Related Resources:

Documents and other related resources that were previously linked here can now be accessed on the Documents page on the Comprehensive Plan project website.