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Windham needs to look at its Comprehensive Plan and revise its ordinance to incorporate a Corridor Protection Overlay for the Rotary to Gray line. In the short run, we need to preserve those vistas,...
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Windham needs to look at its Comprehensive Plan and revise its ordinance to incorporate a Corridor Protection Overlay for the Rotary to Gray line. In the short run, we need to preserve those vistas, such as farms in the outlying Greater Portland area, that may some day be lost. The panoramic views of Windham's farms and fields that lie along Route 202 are such areas. Many mornings I've enjoyed morning mist rising behind the pines that border farmland along the highway, or mist in those same fields filled with cows. The sunlight hitting a large white farmhouse can be so beautiful. Can we let this go to subdivision without reasonable efforts to control how our community develops in the decades ahead. Can we come up with acceptable visions of Windham's future with implementation of a Comprehensive plan that meets the demands of as many residents and newcomers as possible by providing places for all types of growth with alternatives that protect what we most love about our town.
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Feb 11, 2014 by
Ray (12 points)
2Votes Up
0Votes Down
Windham needs to look at its Comprehensive Plan and revise its ordinance to incorporate a Corridor Protection Overlay for the Rotary to Gray line. In the short run, we need to preserve those vistas, such as farms in the outlying Greater Portland area, that may some day be lost. The panoramic views of Windham's farms and fields that lie along Route 202 are such areas. Many mornings I've enjoyed morning mist rising behind the pines that border farmland along the highway, or mist in those same fields filled with cows. The sunlight hitting a large white farmhouse can be so beautiful. Can we let this go to subdivision without reasonable efforts to control how our community develops in the decades ahead. Can we come up with acceptable visions of Windham's future with implementation of a Comprehensive plan that meets the demands of as many residents and newcomers as possible by providing places for all types of growth with alternatives that protect what we most love about our town.
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On the web page of 'Scenic America', it states, "Preserving scenic vistas and viewsheds helps a community to preserve its unique charm, build civic pride, and attract positive growth. The website also...
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On the web page of 'Scenic America', it states, "Preserving scenic vistas and viewsheds helps a community to preserve its unique charm, build civic pride, and attract positive growth. The website also points out that "when we degrade our surroundings we also degrade our sense of who we are, where we came from, and the values we hold in common." When Windham Citizens for Sensible Development argued against the construction of homes on what is now Black Brook Preserve, one man's words stuck in my mind: "As someone from away" that "away is often crowded" and he didn't want Windham "to turn into away." "Windham would grow anyway, but we can't let it happen too fast, we don't want to be a suburb. We want to retain our rural character." THAT'S WHAT THE WINDHAM COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CAN DO! We don't want to be just a suburb. It will take villages, open space, and designated growth areas; it will take a comprehensive and integrated vision of the future to define what Windham will be.
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Feb 11, 2014 by
Ray (12 points)
1Votes Up
0Votes Down
On the web page of 'Scenic America', it states, "Preserving scenic vistas and viewsheds helps a community to preserve its unique charm, build civic pride, and attract positive growth. The website also points out that "when we degrade our surroundings we also degrade our sense of who we are, where we came from, and the values we hold in common." When Windham Citizens for Sensible Development argued against the construction of homes on what is now Black Brook Preserve, one man's words stuck in my mind: "As someone from away" that "away is often crowded" and he didn't want Windham "to turn into away." "Windham would grow anyway, but we can't let it happen too fast, we don't want to be a suburb. We want to retain our rural character." THAT'S WHAT THE WINDHAM COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CAN DO! We don't want to be just a suburb. It will take villages, open space, and designated growth areas; it will take a comprehensive and integrated vision of the future to define what Windham will be.
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What is your big idea for Windham?
Feb 24, 2014 by
Windham Planning (10 points)
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What is your big idea for Windham?
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Add sidewalks to the major roads (or at least improve the diret area to the side of roads) i.e. Albion, Falmouth, Chute, Highland Cliff, Windham Ctr, etc.
May 20, 2014 by
Michelle Lopes (31 points)
2Votes Up
0Votes Down
Add sidewalks to the major roads (or at least improve the diret area to the side of roads) i.e. Albion, Falmouth, Chute, Highland Cliff, Windham Ctr, etc.
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- Windham has a strong farming background with lots of beautiful farms still intact--we need to support the farmers we have and courage more people to bring their local farm movements (CSAs and...
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- Windham has a strong farming background with lots of beautiful farms still intact--we need to support the farmers we have and courage more people to bring their local farm movements (CSAs and supporters are growing each year---people want local) to Windham
- We could become the town that has the most CSA farms offering local produce at a fair price for all income levels
- Find ways to incent people looking to start farming to come to Windham
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May 20, 2014 by
Michelle Lopes (31 points)
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- Windham has a strong farming background with lots of beautiful farms still intact--we need to support the farmers we have and courage more people to bring their local farm movements (CSAs and supporters are growing each year---people want local) to Windham
- We could become the town that has the most CSA farms offering local produce at a fair price for all income levels
- Find ways to incent people looking to start farming to come to Windham
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Have a Winterfest along with a summerfest?
Dec 12, 2013 by
Jim Casey (10 points)
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Have a Winterfest along with a summerfest?
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Do more advertising on Summerfest--include big inserts in the Windham Eagle leading up to the event date, try to get some big-name performers and local food vendors to get more people to go. Could...
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Do more advertising on Summerfest--include big inserts in the Windham Eagle leading up to the event date, try to get some big-name performers and local food vendors to get more people to go. Could include a big raffle item.
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May 20, 2014 by
Michelle Lopes (31 points)
0Votes Up
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Do more advertising on Summerfest--include big inserts in the Windham Eagle leading up to the event date, try to get some big-name performers and local food vendors to get more people to go. Could include a big raffle item.
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- Find ways to get businesses along 302 to clean up their "storefronts" (as you enter downtown area you are first greeted with the auto/boat shops...they could look much cleaner and more put...
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- Find ways to get businesses along 302 to clean up their "storefronts" (as you enter downtown area you are first greeted with the auto/boat shops...they could look much cleaner and more put together)
- Offer discounts (through Roosevelt Garden Ctr) on landscaping and mulch
- Develop new signage standard for businesses in downtown and replace signs that look really tattered or unwelcoming
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May 20, 2014 by
Michelle Lopes (31 points)
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- Find ways to get businesses along 302 to clean up their "storefronts" (as you enter downtown area you are first greeted with the auto/boat shops...they could look much cleaner and more put together)
- Offer discounts (through Roosevelt Garden Ctr) on landscaping and mulch
- Develop new signage standard for businesses in downtown and replace signs that look really tattered or unwelcoming
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- We have some great walking options in Windham (need to better promote them) and also clean some of them up for ease of walking with use of woodchips/shavings--make the Lowell Preserve more of a...
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- We have some great walking options in Windham (need to better promote them) and also clean some of them up for ease of walking with use of woodchips/shavings--make the Lowell Preserve more of a community meeting area by adding a dog park/greenspace with picnic tables (in area behind fire station)
- Consider adding a greenspace/community garden area near the schools and library
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May 20, 2014 by
Michelle Lopes (31 points)
0Votes Up
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- We have some great walking options in Windham (need to better promote them) and also clean some of them up for ease of walking with use of woodchips/shavings--make the Lowell Preserve more of a community meeting area by adding a dog park/greenspace with picnic tables (in area behind fire station)
- Consider adding a greenspace/community garden area near the schools and library
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Will we see new hotels and motels in Windham in the near future. Would love to stay in Windham when visiting instead of Portland.
Nov 25, 2013 by
Jim Casey (10 points)
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Will we see new hotels and motels in Windham in the near future. Would love to stay in Windham when visiting instead of Portland.
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What do you like best about living and working in Windham?
Feb 24, 2014 by
Windham Planning (10 points)
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What do you like best about living and working in Windham?
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From the town's FAQs: 1.What does the Planning Board do?
"The Planning Board is responsible for reviewing new development, and the review of additions and renovations in Windham to make certain...
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From the town's FAQs: 1.What does the Planning Board do?
"The Planning Board is responsible for reviewing new development, and the review of additions and renovations in Windham to make certain development complies with the Town of Windham Ordinances and the spirit of the Town's Comprehensive Master Plan. This review is necessary to make certain that development will not jeopardize the comfort, convenience, health, safety, or welfare of Windham's residents and visitors, and to protect the Town's environmental resources.
However, the Planning Board chairman states that the Board may only act to approve or disapprove based on compliances with the ordnances/laws regardless of the prior statement..
The two philosophies seem to have divergent possibilities that I recommend the town council resolve..
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Oct 6, 2019 by
Homer McLemore (5 points)
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From the town's FAQs: 1.What does the Planning Board do?
"The Planning Board is responsible for reviewing new development, and the review of additions and renovations in Windham to make certain development complies with the Town of Windham Ordinances and the spirit of the Town's Comprehensive Master Plan. This review is necessary to make certain that development will not jeopardize the comfort, convenience, health, safety, or welfare of Windham's residents and visitors, and to protect the Town's environmental resources.
However, the Planning Board chairman states that the Board may only act to approve or disapprove based on compliances with the ordnances/laws regardless of the prior statement..
The two philosophies seem to have divergent possibilities that I recommend the town council resolve..
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To increase the participation in town-level elections and ballots, Windham should implement an online voting system.
Jun 15, 2015 by
David Foster (5 points)
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To increase the participation in town-level elections and ballots, Windham should implement an online voting system.
