Scarborough is Growing—Let's Shape the Future Together!

Scarborough is Growing—Let's Shape the Future Together!

By Jon Anderson, Town Council 

Our new Council is off to a fast start! At our November 19th meeting, we held our second workshop on growth—a topic that’s on many people’s minds. Growth can feel overwhelming, and it’s natural to wonder how it will affect our town. The good news? We have tools, ideas, and a community that cares deeply about getting this right.

I would encourage you to watch our workshop. Scarborough has already done a lot of work over the past few years to prepare for growth, but with new state legislation (LD1829) taking effect in July 2026, things are about to move faster. It is important that we act swiftly —both thoughtfully and decisively—so we can manage growth in a way that protects what we love about Scarborough.

I’ve put together “Jon’s Top 10 Ways to Manage Growth” below. These are starting points, not final decisions. It will ultimately be up to consensus by the Council where we go. I’d love to hear your thoughts at one of our upcoming Cake with a Councilor gatherings to hear what you think. There are also opportunities to share your solutions at our Council Meetings during public comment or over email to towncouncil@scarboroughmaine.org. Your voice matters— ultimately, the Council will set our 2026 goals based on what the community desires, but that only works if you share it with us! 

The school project showed us that when a diverse group of people come together and engage in civil discourse respectfully, good solutions can come of it that we can all get behind. Growth is inevitable, but together we can make sure Scarborough stays vibrant, welcoming, and wonderful.

Jon’s Top 10 Ways to Manage Growth

Protect Our Environment

• Implement Low Impact Development Standards – Developers will use best practices to reduce environmental impact, especially near sensitive areas like the Marsh. We should also update stormwater requirements and buffers.
• Accelerate Land Acquisition – With voter-approved land bond funds, we need to move faster to secure land for conservation and recreation, limiting it’s development use
• Establish a Tree Protection Ordinance – Stricter rules for tree removal and replacement in new subdivisions to keep our community vibrant

Address Resiliency

• Update Zoning in Flood-Prone Areas – Limit growth where flooding risk is high based on the findings from our Vulnerability assessment; expand our resource protection area to allow for Marsh migration 

Improve Traffic & Infrastructure

• Traffic Improvements – Prioritize top projects and seek voter input on bonding for fixes. Continue to refine how our traffic signals are communicating with one another to accelerate traffic movement during peak times.
• Public Safety Capacity Check – Make sure Fire and Police stay ahead of demand. I believe we are in a good position right now
• Refine Impact Fees – Developers help offset costs of growth, including schools and open space. With the approval of the school, the Town is on track to essentially double our school impact fees, resulting in new development paying ~20% of the principal and interest on the $140M school bond.

Support Affordable Housing

• Expand Inclusionary Zoning – Require a percentage of affordable housing beyond the Downs and remove “in lieu of” fee options. We need more affordable housing and since Scarborough is so desirable we shouldn’t settle.
• Limit Non-Owner Short-Term Rentals – Prevent speculative STR purchases outside beach areas that may take away from our residential neighborhoods with non-owner occupied Airbnbs.

Advocate for Local Control

• Work with State Leaders – We need to update zoning to comply with state law while protecting local authority. Advocate for new legislation with the Scarborough delegation that works for Scarborough and issue a proclamation expressing concern and dissatisfaction with LD1829 and seek legislative fixes to protect Scarborough.  

To give us time to implement these changes, I would support a temporary pause on large-scale subdivisions along Route 1 and a pause on new TIFs, CEAs, or contract zones until updates are in place. This will need to be evaluated further by the Council to determine the best timing to put a moratorium like this in place.  

This is an important conversation, and we want you involved. Join us at Cake with the Councilors, speak up, and share your ideas. Managing growth is not a piece of cake so join us through December for a slice and let’s discuss your thoughts. Together, we can manage growth and keep Scarborough the community we all love with our neighbors old, new and not here yet!

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Scarborough Town Council.