Maine Revised Statutes

1. Notice and hearing.  Before designating a development district or adopting a development program, the municipal legislative body or the municipal legislative body's designee must hold at least one public hearing. Notice of the hearing must be published at least 10 days before the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation within the municipality.

2. Review by commissioner.  Before final designation of a tax increment financing district, the commissioner shall review the proposal to ensure that the proposal complies with statutory requirements. In the case of a downtown tax increment financing district, the State Planning Office and the Department of Transportation shall review the proposal and provide advice to assist the commissioner in making a decision under this subsection.

3. Effective date.  A designation of a tax increment financing district is effective upon approval by the commissioner. A designation of a development district other than a tax increment financing district is effective upon approval by the municipal legislative body.

4. Administration of district.  The legislative body of a municipality may create a department, designate an existing department, office, agency, municipal housing or redevelopment authority or enter into a contractual arrangement with a private entity to administer activities authorized under this chapter.

5. Amendments.  A municipality may amend a designated development district or an adopted development program only after meeting the requirements of this section for designation of a development district or adoption of a development program. A municipality may not amend the designation of a development district if the amendment would result in the district's being out of compliance with any of the conditions in section 5223, subsection 3.