Planning & Economic Development

Inside City Hall: Planning and Development

The Planning Department consists of:

Bob Hamblen, City Planner

Peter Morelli, Development Director

The mission of the Planning Office is to treat all residents and applicants as customers, deserving of our best service. We try to provide prompt and efficient processing of applications, as well as prompt attention to concerns raised by residents regarding particular developments. At all times, we strive to ensure that the Zoning Ordinances and Subdivision Regulations of the City are administered consistently and fairly.

The prime functions of the Planning Deparment are to provide timely reviews of development proposals for conformance with the City's regulations, including site plan, conditional use and subdivision review. In most cases, these reviews are done in conjunction with reviews by the Saco Planning Board. In addition, the Planning Department works closely with the Planning Board to modify the City's zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations.

The Planning Board meets twice a month, generally on the first and third Tuesday. It is given the responsibility of approving subdivisions, site plans, and conditional uses. Other actions include recommendations to the City Council on contract zoning applications, and zone text and map changes.

In addition to Boards, the Planning Office provide staff support for various City projects.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, 2011
This is the 2011 update of the City's Comprehensive Plan.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, 2012
This strategic plan revisits those goals and techniques to determine whether they are suitable for the second decade of the 2000s and what new goals should be developed. PDF, 2.6MB, 1/2012

AFFORDABLE HOUSING This report outlines problems with the availability of affordable housing in Saco. The report and its recommendations were adopted by the City Council on November 16, 2009. You may follow this link to download the final report. PDF, 1.6MB, 11/16/2009