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An Act To Amend the Shoreland Zoning Laws To Exempt Certain Walkways and Trails from Setback Requirements
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  38 MRSA §439-A, sub-§4-C  is enacted to read:
 
4-C.  Exemption from setback requirements for walkways and trails over rivers within a downtown revitalization project.     In accordance with the provisions of this subsection, a municipality may adopt an ordinance that exempts pedestrian walkways and trails from the water and wetland setback requirements otherwise applicable under this section.
 
A.  Notwithstanding subsection 4, a municipality may adopt an ordinance pursuant to this subsection that exempts a pedestrian walkway or trail from the otherwise applicable water or wetland setbacks if the following requirements are met:
 
(1) The walkway or trail is adjacent to a segment of a river that is located within the boundaries of a downtown revitalization project;
 
(2) If cantilevered over a segment of river, the walkway or trail does not extend over the river more than 10 feet from the normal high-water line;
 
(3) If cantilevered over a segment of river, the walkway or trail is attached to a structure that was constructed prior to 1971 and is located within a downtown revitalization project; and
 
(4) If the walkway or trail is cantilevered over a segment of river, the municipal planning board has determined there is no other practical means to construct the walkway or trail without cantilevering over that segment of the river. If there are no other practical means to construct the walkway or trail, approaches to the cantilevered walkway or trail may also cantilever off adjacent retaining walls but no more than is necessary to access the cantilevered walkway or trail.
 
B.  A downtown revitalization project under this subsection must be defined in a project plan approved by the legislative body of the municipality and may include the revitalization of buildings formerly used as mills that do not meet the water or wetland setback requirements in subsection 4.
 
C.  Except for the water and wetland setback requirements in subsection 4, a walkway or trail that meets the requirements of this subsection must meet all other state and local permit requirements and comply with all other applicable rules.
 
D.  A walkway or trail exempt under this subsection may be either privately or publicly owned and maintained.
 
Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 127th Legislature, First Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.