§ 4415. Interim bylaws
(a) If a municipality is conducting or has taken action to conduct studies, or has held
or is holding a hearing for the purpose of considering a bylaw, a comprehensive plan,
or an amendment, extension, or addition to a bylaw or plan, the legislative body may
adopt interim bylaws regulating land development in all or a part of the municipality
in order to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare and provide for
orderly physical and economic growth. These interim bylaws shall be adopted, reenacted,
extended, or amended by the legislative body of the municipality after public hearing
upon public notice as an emergency measure. They shall be limited in duration to two
years from the date they become effective and may be extended or reenacted only in
accordance with subsections (f) and (g) of this section. An interim bylaw adopted
under this section may be repealed after public hearing, upon public notice by the
legislative body. The legislative body, upon petition of five percent of the legal
voters filed with the clerk of the municipality, shall hold a public hearing for consideration
of amendment or repeal of the interim bylaws.
(b) An interim bylaw adopted, extended, or reenacted under this section may contain any
provision authorized under this chapter.
(c) Interim bylaws shall be administered and enforced in accordance with the provisions
of this title applicable to the administration and enforcement of permanent bylaws,
except that uses other than those permitted by an interim bylaw may be authorized
as provided for in subsection (d) of this section.
(d) Under interim bylaws, the legislative body may, upon application, authorize the issuance
of permits for any type of land development as a conditional use not otherwise permitted
by the bylaw after public hearing preceded by notice in accordance with section 4464 of this title. The authorization by the legislative body shall be granted only upon a finding by
the body that the proposed use is consistent with the health, safety, and welfare
of the municipality and the standards contained in subsection (e) of this section.
The applicant and all abutting property owners shall be notified in writing of the
date of the hearing and of the legislative body’s final determination.
(e) In making a determination, the legislative body shall consider the proposed use with
respect to all the following:
(1) The capacity of existing or planned community facilities, services, or lands.
(2) The existing patterns and uses of development in the area.
(3) Environmental limitations of the site or area and significant natural resource areas
and sites.
(4) Municipal plans and other municipal bylaws, ordinances, or regulations in effect.
(f) The legislative body of the municipality may extend or reenact interim bylaws for
a one-year period beyond the initial two-year period authorized by subsection (a)
of this section in accordance with the procedures for adoption in that subsection.
(g) A copy of the adopted, amended, reenacted, or extended interim bylaw shall be sent
to adjoining towns, to the regional planning commission of the region in which the
municipality is located, and to the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. (Added 2003, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 95.)