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For Immediate Release
November 19, 2019
Contact: Jim Britt, jim.britt@maine.gov, (207) 287-3156
Land Use Planning Commission Announces New Executive Director
AUGUSTA, Maine - The Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) is pleased to announce confirmation of the appointment of Judy East as incoming Executive Director. East, a Washington County resident, brings over three decades of rural land use planning and conservation experience to LUPC.
Everett Worcester, LUPC Chair, commented, “Judy’s extensive experience with complex zoning decisions has positioned her perfectly to lead our commission. I am confident that we have chosen an exceptional individual and I am enthusiastic about this next step for the commission.”
East will lead the agency, which resides within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF), in planning and zoning in Maine's unorganized and deorganized areas. Most recently, she served as Executive Director at the Washington County Council of Governments (WCCOG), where she dedicated 17 years. Prior to WCCOG, she worked with The Nature Conservancy in East Hampton, NY, as Director of Land Protection.
"We are very pleased that the Commissioners were equally enthusiastic about our recommendation to appoint Judy to this position, and we are excited to have her joining our talented and dedicated LUPC team and bringing her expertise and proven leadership abilities to the department," commented Amanda Beal, Commissioner, DACF. "I look forward to working with Judy in LUPC’s efforts to preserve the unique character of the land within its jurisdiction, with an eye toward opportunities for economic development that are well-aligned and preserves that character."
East has been engaged in land use planning since earning her M.Sc. Planning degree, from the University of British Columbia's School of Community and Regional Planning. She also holds an B.Sc. Biology Specialist degree (Freshwater Ecology), from the University of Toronto, where she majored in Environmental Studies and minored in Economics.
In addition to extensive rural, regional and national land use planning experience, East has earned numerous awards including: Plan of the Year from Maine Association of Planners (Bold Coast Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan); Project of the Year from the American Planning Association’s Northern New England Chapter (Online GIS Mapping to Assist Rural Washington County in Planning for the Future and Preparing for Impacts of Climate Change with the University of Maine at Machias GIS Service Center). Her previous volunteer experiences include: service on statewide and regional boards and commissions including St Croix, International Waterway Commission, Maine Sea Grant Policy Advisory Committee, Smart Growth Maine, and others. She is currently an Olympia’s Leaders Advisor, with Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute.
“I am very much looking forward to working with and for the State of Maine and those who live and work in the unique and extraordinary place encompassed by the LUPC,” said East.
East will officially assume her new role as Executive Director of LUPC in mid-December.
ABOUT LUPC
The LUPC has the responsibility of serving the unorganized and deorganized areas of Maine and helping guide land use across its 10.4 million acres, the largest contiguous undeveloped area in the northeast.
The LUPC serves as the planning and zoning authority for the unorganized and deorganized areas of the State, including townships and plantations. These areas either have no local government or have chosen not to administer land use controls at the local level.
Along with carrying out its planning and zoning responsibilities, the LUPC issues permits for smaller development projects, such as home construction and camp renovations. For larger development projects requiring Department of Environmental Protection review under the Site Location of Development Law, the LUPC certifies that proposed land uses are allowed and that proposed development activities comply with applicable LUPC land use standards. The Legislature created the Commission to extend principles of sound planning, zoning, and development to the unorganized and deorganized areas of the State. To learn more visit https://www.maine.gov/dacf/lupc/.
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