• Vision
• Goals and Strategies
• Future Land Use Plan
• Maps
  • Downtown Districts
  • Rural District
  • Shoreland District
  • Aquifer Overlay
• Public Engagement Summary
• Regional Coordination Program
• Implementation Manual

A Vision for Unity, the "Garden of Waldo County"

We the People of Unity envision a future where we thrive in a vibrant community that cherishes our environment, supports and celebrates our citizens, and welcomes all.

In the 1800s, Unity was known as the garden spot of Waldo County. We envision a future Unity that is a flourishing garden-a place of beauty that nurtures life in multiple ways: growing good food; enhancing our health; fostering our economic prosperity; and enabling us to lead safe and fulfilling lives.

We see Unity in the future as a community that has:

• Retained our small town character, historic downtown, and identity as a farming community, while carefully growing as an economic hub for surrounding towns.
• Improved our economic future by building off our many strengths-including being a crossroads location, home to Unity College, and a growing center for sustainable agriculture.
• Attracted businesses/employers that fit our character and identity, and that pay living wages which attract young families and enable all residents to thrive.
• Adapted to more complex demands on local government, like road maintenance and municipal services, while retaining Town Meeting as our chosen form of government.
• Engaged more of our citizens in civic and community activities by increasing government transparency, communications, and volunteer opportunities.
• Enhanced public access to recreational and cultural facilities.
• Dramatically improved the water quality of Unity Pond and protected and preserved the local aquifer.
• Invested in the health of our citizens by building a "walking town" with all-season sidewalks and trails that connect common destinations like schools and stores.

A new comprehensive plan is being developed to pursue this vision. During 2013 and early 2014 -through an online and paper survey, an open visioning session, one-to-one and small group discussions-residents have identified six broad areas of focus for this plan: natural resources; agriculture; town governance; economic opportunity; community spirit; and the relationship with Unity College.

Ongoing work in 2014 and early 2015 will result in a new comprehensive plan designed to:

• Provide a broad overview of what Unity could be in the next 10-15 years;
• Develop objectives and goals to reach that future;
• Determine specific actions to reach the goals; and
• Set benchmarks for progress.

The Unity Comprehensive Plan will be the legal framework for our town's land use ordinances. It can also be a credential for gaining foundation and state funding. The plan will use census data, locally collected data, and public feedback to ensure that Unity's growth is guided by the needs and concerns of our citizens.

The Comprehensive Planning process is intended to:

• Engage neighbors in a discussion about our future
• Develop a basis for sound decisions in town management
• Provide economic prosperity and a high quality of life for all

Our Comprehensive Plan will incorporate a detailed analysis of the current community (including its natural resources, businesses, housing, public facilities, population trends, etc) alongside strong community engagement process. It will develop strategies that will guide us to the future our community envisions.

In this initial stage of the process, the Comp Plan Committee is gathering input from as many of the following as possible: a cross-section of residents, property owners, and people from other towns who utilize Unity’s resources and services. We hope that you will be one of those who we hear from.

This questionnaire is the first in a series that the Committee will use to understand the concerns of community members. For each of these forms, you will be able to respond either

• on paper,
• on a web survey,
• by phone, or
• by talking in person to a member of the committee.

Committee Members: Donald Newell, Ken Murch, Emily Newell, Chia Murdock, Sydney Taber, Jean Bourg, Tony Avila, Jim Perry, Lori Roming, John Piotti, Bob Downie, Doug Fox, Michelle Leavitt, Sara Trunzo, John McIntire, Tom Aversa, Sonia Antunes.

To send a message to the Comprehensive Plan Committee, send an email to feedback@unitymaine.org