Gary McSpadden

The City of Blaine's 2026-2030 Strategic Priorities serve as a framework for guiding city decision-making, resource allocation, and policy direction. The plan identifies six strategic goals: modernizing development regulations, aligning zoning with growth strategies, preparing key employment areas for investment, advancing the redevelopment of the City Campus site, strengthening downtown vitality, and maintaining core infrastructure and public services. These priorities aim to balance growth with the city's small-town character, enhance fiscal sustainability, and foster a vibrant, walkable waterfront community.

The board reviewed the Parks and Recreation chapter of the City Comprehensive Plan, recommending a long-term focus on city-wide regional parks, recreational activities, and an improved trail network. An update was provided on the Marine Park Project, including a focus on fundraising initiatives. Public Works introduced future topics regarding a seasonal recreational activities program for Marine Park and the development of a Public Place Use Policy. The board also inquired about the status of streetlights on Jerome Street and H-Street.

This Economic Development Element of the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Blaine outlines the city's economic conditions, employment, and business development, emphasizing the need for diversification away from a primary reliance on cross-border activities. The plan aims to foster economic growth by promoting key sectors such as tourism, manufacturing, shipping, and professional services, leveraging existing infrastructure, and creating new job opportunities. It also integrates strategies to enhance the resilience of economic sectors against climate change impacts.

This chapter of the City of Blaine's Comprehensive Plan Draft addresses public services and facilities, outlining existing conditions and projecting future needs through 2036. It details staffing and facility requirements for City Administration, Public Safety, and Public Works, and assesses the needs of the Public Library, Community/Senior Center, and Schools. The plan sets goals and policies to ensure high-quality, efficient services, maintain appropriate staffing levels, and strategically develop infrastructure, including explicit consideration of climate resilience and equitable access to resources.

The Housing Element of the City of Blaine's Comprehensive Plan serves as a roadmap to assess existing housing stock, project future needs, and establish goals and policies for housing development from 2020 to 2045. Key strategic priorities include accommodating projected population growth and housing units across various income levels, preserving and enhancing existing housing and residential neighborhoods, beautifying and improving livability, preserving historic homes, maintaining acceptable development standards, assisting the homeless in finding adequate shelter, encouraging the development of affordable housing for all income levels, and ensuring housing opportunities regardless of background.