What's Happening

The Growth Management Ordinance (GMO) is a very specific tool to manage the pace of development within our community and regulates how much of the allowable growth in an area can occur in a single year. It was originally adopted in 2001 in reaction to the rapid single-family housing development that was prevalent in the late 1990s and early 2000s and its impact on our school facilities and municipal services. A new Growth Management Ordinance was most recently approved by the Town Council in May 2021.

The Spurwink Road Traffic & Pedestrian Improvement project will cover a two mile stretch from Ocean Avenue to the Spurwink River. The scope of this project includes a road realignment, and the addition and improvement of pedestrian and bicycle amenities. It will also address the dangerous curves and intersections to the greatest extent possible, as well as improve road surface and drainage issues. Learn more about the timeline and ways to share your input.

The Downs development is a proposed multi-phase redevelopment that will eventually include all the Scarborough Downs property and generate over 2,000 peak hour traffic trips. Learn more about the significant infrastructure and transportation network improvements that will be occurring in the Town of Scarborough, and beyond, associated with the development at the Downs.

The Towns of Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough are collaborating on future strategies for Sawyer Road (Cape Elizabeth) and Sawyer Street (Scarborough), which includes a section of road crossing the Scarborough Marsh that floods multiple times a year. The municipalities may decide to study the impact of a planned removal of the portion of Sawyer Road/Street located in the marsh. 

The Town of Scarborough is conducting a comprehensive parks and facilities master plan to allow for meaningful park and recreation facility improvements that yield higher levels of performance and increased enjoyment for all user groups. The plan will be developed with an eye toward the Town’s existing goals, including improving walkability, increasing mixed uses, promoting active and healthy living, and more.

Learn more about the ongoing Gorham Road Reconstruction Project. The multi-year project entails road surface replacement, drainage upgrades, and a consideration of alternative transportation amenities.

The Municipal and Referendum Election and State of Maine General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Learn more about what's on the ballot, how and where to vote, and an opportunity to meet the candidates.

Learn more about the ongoing Gorham Road Reconstruction Project. The multi-year project entails road surface replacement, drainage upgrades, and a consideration of alternative transportation amenities.

The Town of Scarborough is conducting a comprehensive parks and facilities master plan to allow for meaningful park and recreation facility improvements that yield higher levels of performance and increased enjoyment for all user groups. The plan will be developed with an eye toward the Town’s existing goals, including improving walkability, increasing mixed uses, promoting active and healthy living, and more.

The Spurwink Road Traffic & Pedestrian Improvement project will cover a two mile stretch from Ocean Avenue to the Spurwink River. The scope of this project includes a road realignment, and the addition and improvement of pedestrian and bicycle amenities. It will also address the dangerous curves and intersections to the greatest extent possible, as well as improve road surface and drainage issues. Learn more about the timeline and ways to share your input.

Learn more about the relevant issues being discussed at the council level. Their goals for the year outline priority direction, and Council Corner articles serve to inform on the perspective of particular councilors on current topics. With regular communication, Town Councilors hope to encourage community engagement in order to drive informed, conscious decisionmaking.

Scarborough conducted a community survey for residents in Fall 2021. Responses have been formatted into a full findings report, slideshow presentation with key highlights, and visually represented through GIS mapping. The results of the 2021 survey will remain on the website to view at any time and the Town Council and departments will use this data as a reference point when developing goals.

The Towns of Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough are collaborating on future strategies for Sawyer Road (Cape Elizabeth) and Sawyer Street (Scarborough), which includes a section of road crossing the Scarborough Marsh that floods multiple times a year. The municipalities may decide to study the impact of a planned removal of the portion of Sawyer Road/Street located in the marsh. 

The Downs development is a proposed multi-phase redevelopment that will eventually include all the Scarborough Downs property and generate over 2,000 peak hour traffic trips. Learn more about the significant infrastructure and transportation network improvements that will be occurring in the Town of Scarborough, and beyond, associated with the development at the Downs.

The Growth Management Ordinance (GMO) is a very specific tool to manage the pace of development within our community and regulates how much of the allowable growth in an area can occur in a single year. It was originally adopted in 2001 in reaction to the rapid single-family housing development that was prevalent in the late 1990s and early 2000s and its impact on our school facilities and municipal services. A new Growth Management Ordinance was most recently approved by the Town Council in May 2021.

Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, is a finance tool used by municipalities to leverage property taxes on new developments in a specified district to allocate to designated project areas. Scarborough uses TIFs as a means of maximizing potential from new growth and development in town, and enhancing the quality of life for residents.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), New England District, plans to perform dredging of the Scarborough River Federal Navigation Project (FNP). The work involves maintenance dredging and removal of up to 130,000 cubic yards of primarily sandy sediment from the entire Scarborough River FNP and will restore the authorized channels and anchorage to the authorized FNP dimensions. The project would be performed continuously over a three- to four-month period, between November 1, 2023 and March 14, 2024.

The Comprehensive Plan is a community-wide initiative outlining a vision for the future of Scarborough. The plan analyzes existing conditions and emerging trends, illustrates a plan for future development and conservation, provides the Town with strategies for sustainability, and steps for implementation. The most recent Comprehensive Plan was completed in June 2021.