We are strong supporters of solar energy done responsibly…
Who We Are
We are a growing group of local volunteers, taking on this Big Industrial Solar battle to preserve the rural charm, scenic beauty, environmental integrity, and character that define Lovell.
Board Members
- David Patterson
- Tom McLaughlin
- Ann Prescott
- Erin Kenneally
- Lisabeth Bender
- David Morine
- Howard Corwin
- Timothy Cyr
- Paul Denis

Our Eden Association (OEA) is a Maine non-profit corporation that was formed by full-year and part-year residents. OEA sprang into action when it learned the magnitude and scope of a proposed 181-acre industrial solar project to be developed at and near Christian Hill Rd. and Shave Hill Rd. That project would have cut over 10,000 mature trees and intruded on the Kezar Lake watershed, harming the town and the quality of life it affords all who live and visit here.
On January 25, the citizens of the town gathered at the Fire Barn to adopt by an overwhelming 243-50 margin a moratorium on large-scale solar projects. While the moratorium temporarily prevents that big solar project from moving forward, it also gives us time to address solar energy in the Town Ordinances. Lovell citizens want to control how solar is developed in Lovell. The moratorium gives us the time to adopt a solar ordinance and Do Solar Right.
On February 2, the Planning Board unanimously approved a stop gap measure that would prohibit ALL land uses not expressly permitted in the Zoning Ordinance. They sent the stop gap measure to the Select Board for inclusion on the warrant for the March 5 Town Meeting. While this is a good idea because it will put an end to judging new land uses according to the “next closest” land use code, it is not a solar ordinance. The solar ordinance will be offered to voters at a special town meeting AFTER the March 5 annual town meeting. Please stay tuned for the date and time. It is crucial that voters turn out for that meeting the way we did for the moratorium meeting and vote. (Proposed Special Town Meeting is April 2nd at 9am. The website will be updated once confirmed.)
Meanwhile, OEA conducted exhaustive research to develop an amendment expressly dealing with solar. Hundreds of towns have written ordinances for this new land use in recent years. The OEA solar amendment blended the best models from towns as close-by as Denmark and, with your input, customized them to fit the needs of Lovell. Special provisions were made to facilitate solar for personal, business and municipal use within Lovell, as distinguished from industrial solar projects selling power outside of town.
You, the voters, not some outside interests, will determine how solar is to be brought to Lovell.
- Personal Scale Solar Energy Systems – Minor may have total panel area of up to 1200 square feet, more than enough to power the average home in Maine.
- Personal Scale Solar Energy Systems – Major may have total panel area of up to 21,780 square feet (the equivalent of half an acre), sufficient to power business and municipal uses in Lovell.
- When mounted on walls or roofs, PSSES, whether Minor or Major, are permitted in every district and subject to minimal performance standards. Ground mounted PSSES are subject to the same minimal performance standards as wall or roof mounted PSSES, except that they are prohibited in the Resource Protection, Shoreland Limited Residential, Stream Protection and Aquifer Protection Overlay Districts.
- Large-Scale Solar Energy Systems may have total panel area of less than 10 acres on any one lot and may be the subject of conditional use applications if sited in the Commercial-Industrial district. LSSES are not permitted in other districts.
- The OEA solar amendment was presented to the Select Board and the Planning Board by petition of over 200 registered voters and will be subject to town vote which is expected to occur at a special town meeting in early April. Please stay tuned for confirmation of the date.


Planning Board Stop Gap Measure
- Puts Lovell, rather than outsiders, in control of how and when to allow land uses not expressly covered in the Zoning Ordinance
- Allows for orderly and systematic consideration of the terms on which to allow new land uses
- Empowers all citizens with an opportunity to be heard
Solar Amendment
- Reflects the experience of other towns, the views of Lovell residents, and expert analysis as to how to Do Solar Right
- Facilitates solar for personal, business and municipal use within Lovell, as distinguished from industrial solar projects selling power outside of town
- Strikes the right balance by finding the right place for industrial solar in Lovell
- Preserves the scenic rural beauty, environmental integrity and character of Lovell

Why We Care
We were shocked to learn about the industrial solar development proposed by a Delaware LLC that would radically altered the rural charm, scenic beauty, environmental integrity, and character that define Lovell. Like so many Maine towns before us, we did not have adequate zoning to do solar right.
- Solar should be encouraged and easily approved for on-premises use.
- Solar should not be so massive that it desecrates pristine forest and wetlands in the name of saving the planet.
- Solar should not endanger wildlife, compromise historic scenic views, and have potentially catastrophic environmental impacts to Kezar Lake.
- Solar’s positive benefits must exceed solar’s negative impacts.
- We have the knowledge and we have the right to self-govern, to maintain local control as we grapple with new and potentially impactful land uses.

- A quick, non-tax-deductible donations may be made by check made out to Our Eden Association
- A potentially tax-deductible check made out to LandCAN

- Currently no special dates, but stay involved with the weekly Select Board Meetings and the Monthly Planning Board Meetings

Direct contributions to Our Eden Association are not tax deductible. Our Eden Association has an affiliation with LandCAN (Land Conservation Assistance Network), a 501(c)(3) corporation to which tax deductible contributions may be made in accordance with LandCAN’s rules and policies. LandCAN has agreed to assist Our Eden Association. Tax deductible contributions may be made to LandCAN with a memo/note that references “Land Conservation Projects in Lovell” and mail to: LandCAN, 106 Lafayette St., Suite 3G, Yarmouth, ME 04096. For questions of LandCAN regarding your check donation, please contact Jesse at (207) 847-0589.
Tax-Deductible Gifts
For individuals, foundations, corporations, etc. who itemize their donations and would prefer to make the charitable donation to a 501 (c) (3) organization, we have been fortunate to establish a relationship with the Land Conservation Network (LandCAN), a national land-conservation organization, who has agreed to assist Our Eden and has set up a specific account to collect our tax-deductible donations.
Please make your check out to: LandCAN with a memo/note that references “Land Conservation Projects in Lovell.” Then mail to: LandCAN, 106 Lafayette St., Suite 3G, Yarmouth, ME 04096.
For questions regarding your check donation, please contact Jesse at (207) 847-0589
Contact Town Officials
Let them know you support Doing Solar Right, and that you’ll be voting YES at both Town Meetings
Contact Both the Planning Board and Select Board at:
Frequently Asked Questions

(R-Hiram)
Energy, Utilities & Technology, Ranking Member
Additional information
Latest News
Our Eden Association’s Petitioned Solar Ordinance Documents from the Planning Board Meeting on February 16th.
- Color coded Solar Ordinance Amendment
- Single page flyer describing the 3 different categories within the ordinance.
- David Patterson address to the Planning Board on February 16th
Tom McLaughlin’s blog:
Bridgton News articles
Conway Sun articles