Beach access story makes waves

Posted by: Archipelago Law in Environmental, Land Use, Property Law, Uncategorized on July 27, 2023

Ben Ford was featured in the following news story aired July 26, 2023. WGME reported receiving 30,000 social media hits in response. https://wgme.com/news/local/new-jersey-couple-claims-bought-piece-popham-beach-front-neighbors-cottages-dunes-ocean-beachfront-maine# PHIPPSBURG (WGME)– A New Jersey couple, who own a cottage on Popham Beach, claims they bought and now own the dunes and beach between their neighbor and the ocean.  Richard and Sheila […]

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Anticipated New FEMA Floodplain Mapping Will Alter Development In Maine’s Coastal Communities

Posted by: Archipelago Law in Land Use, Property Law on April 5, 2023

Outdated and inaccurate flood maps have led to an overhaul of Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood mapping which should be available to property owners, municipalities, and state governments as early as this year. These expanded floodplain designations may impede coastal development or force developers and private homeowners to purchase expensive flood insurance policies for new […]

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Maine Roads: Public and Private Rights in Discontinued Town Ways

Posted by: Archipelago Law in Land Use, Maine Roads, Property Law on December 2, 2022

Public and private rights to discontinued roads is a confusing and highly litigated area of land use law in Maine.  Ownership and rights in land encumbered by a discontinued road often hinge on a case-by-case analysis of the history of the right-of-way and the method of discontinuance.  When a homeowner owns land abutting a discontinued […]

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Maine Land Use Permitting: The Natural Resources Protection Act’s Development Review

Posted by: Archipelago Law in Environmental, Land Use on July 26, 2022

Whether you are a construction company, developer, engineer, site designer or homeowner, you must comply with stringent state permitting laws when working near a natural resource.  The Maine legislature has acted to diminish the lasting adverse impacts on natural resources in light of accelerated development.  By enacting the Natural Resources Protection Act (“NRPA”), the legislature […]

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Maine’s New Residential Density Law May Trigger a Spark In Multi-Family Residential Development

Posted by: Archipelago Law in Land Use on June 30, 2022

The traditional suburban neighborhood lined with single family homes may be a thing of the past.  That’s what Maine legislators had in mind when Governor Janet Mills recently signed Legislative Document 2003 into law.  In a push for more housing and higher residential density, the law requires municipalities to allow multi-family housing in all residential zoning districts […]

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