Article XV
Amendment and Other Interpretive Provisions

Section 1. Interpretation

Interpretation of what may not be clear in this Ordinance shall be according to the intent of the Ordinance and the comprehensive plan.

Section 2. Conflict with Other Ordinances

Whenever the regulations of this Ordinance conflict with those of another Ordinance or other regulations, or wherever the regulations of one part of this Ordinance conflict with another part of this Ordinance, the stricter shall apply, except as expressly stated otherwise in this Ordinance.

Section 3. Severability

If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this Ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions.

Section 4. Amendment

No land use regulation or amendment thereof or change in the Official Zoning Map shall be adopted until after the Selectmen of the Town have held a public hearing thereon at least ten days before it is submitted to the Legislative Body for consideration. Public notice of the hearing shall be made at least ten days prior to the hearing. Amendments to this Ordinance shall be considered following petition, recommendation of the Planning Board, or motion of the Selectmen. The petitioner shall bear the cost of advertising and of any postage for notification of neighboring property owners.

Any amendments dealing with the shoreland area shall be effective only upon approval of the Commissioner of Department of Environmental Protection. Within fourteen (14) days following adoption of any shoreland amendments, the Municipal Clerk shall send a certified copy of the amendments to the Commissioner of Department of Environmental Protection for approval. If the Commissioner of Department of Environmental Protection fails to act on the amendments within forty-five (45) days of the Department's receipt of the certified copy, the amendments shall be deemed to be approved. Any application submitted to the Town within the forty-five (45) day review period shall be governed by the terms of the amendment, if such amendment is approved by the Commissioner of Department of Environmental Protection.

Section 5. Repeal

(1) The zoning ordinance herein shall be enacted and be of full force and effect on the day following the date of approval of this zoning ordinance by the voters of the Town of Camden at a town meeting, and any zoning ordinance of the Town of Camden in effect prior to the date of enactment of this zoning ordinance shall be repealed as of that date.

(2) Persons who have applied for permits or approval or filed appeals under terms of the previous Zoning Ordinance for the Town of Camden and prior to its repeal shall be governed by the terms of said previous Ordinance, unless they elect, in writing to the Code Enforcement Officer, to be governed by the terms of this Ordinance.

Section 6. Availability

A copy of this Zoning Ordinance certified by the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen shall be filed with the Town Clerk and the Code Enforcement Officer and shall be accessible to any member of the public. Copies shall be made available to the public at reasonable cost at the expense of the person making the request. Notice of the availability of this Ordinance shall be posted in the office of the Town Clerk.

State Law Reference: 12 MRSA Sec. 4811, 23 MRSA Sec. 1901 et seq.; 30 MRSA Sections 2411, 4961-4966, Sec. 4956; 30-A, MRSA Section 4358.