The Maine Legislature is advancing changes that will allow for denser housing development, but it once again scrapped the idea of a state board that could overturn local planning decisions.

It’s an example of how lawmakers are still wrestling with conflicts between their efforts to address the housing crisis and the tradition of local control that leaves this policy area to cities and towns. Maine is lagging the recommendations of a report that said it needs at least 76,000 new housing units by 2030 to meet current and future demand.

House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford, began the year with an aggressive housing agenda that aimed to build on his 2022 reform law that made cities and towns develop affordable housing standards, allowed two units on lots zoned for one and allowed homeowners to build in-law apartments without seeking local approval.

He was able to win bipartisan support for changes that are chiefly aimed at increasing density, but one item that he had to strike from the landmark law three years ago reared its head again.

That was a statewide board that would consider appeals from developers or citizens who disagree with local planning decisions. As of now, developers can only appeal a planning board decision in Superior Court, something that they say stretches out the process and allows opponents to easily add costs to projects even if they don’t win their case.

In 2022, Fecteau envisioned an independent board with members appointed by the governor. This year, he proposed putting it within the state’s court system. But that idea faced pushback from the swamped judicial system as well as the Maine Municipal Association and other proponents of home rule at a public hearing.

Fecteau decided to pull it from his zoning reform proposal, although discussions around the subject will continue into 2025 as part of another bill from Rep. Traci Gere, D-Kennebunkport.

“[Fecteau’s bill] improves zoning policies to make it easier to build affordable and missing middle housing,” Gere said. “We’re carrying over bills that tackle other ideas, like a housing development resolution board and improving land use policies, and will be working on them over the next year.”

Enacting new mandates on cities and towns requires a two-thirds vote of both chambers of the Legislature, and it was clear the package would not get there with the board included.

“It was too controversial,” Sen. Rick Bennett, R-Oxford, a member of the housing panel, said.

The committee gave unanimous approval to a bill that Fecteau is now calling “Zoning Reform 2.0.” It allows up to three units per lot across the state and moves the threshold for triggering stricter subdivision reviews from three units currently to five units. Sprinklers would not be required for in-law apartments, hewing to concerns from builders.

Many of the changes will be voluntary for cities and towns, applying only to those that have designated areas for growth in accordance with the 2022 law. For example, it would bar minimum lot sizes of more than 5,000 square feet and bars growth caps in those areas.

In a Facebook post, Fecteau said the bill “empowers everyday Mainers to be part of solving our housing crunch.”

“This strong bipartisan vote is indicative of the shared sense of urgency to address housing shortfalls in communities across Maine,” he wrote.

Every Mainer will likely have a different answer when asked where the best lobster roll can be found in Vacationland. It might be the same run-down spot they’ve been going to since they were a kid, or it might be the newest addition to their town’s one busy Main Street, but chances are they’re pretty loyal to their favorite. Mainers look for a few things when it comes to lobster rolls — freshness, a good portion of lobster, and absolutely no lines. We spend nine months out of the year freezing our toes off just to get first dibs on the idyllic summer month, I’d say we’ve earned our spot at the front of the line.

Lobster rolls in Maine are like pizza in New York. They’re on every corner, all relatively similar, making the choices overwhelming. Should you order it the Maine way (chilled and tossed in mayonnaise) or the Connecticut way (warmed and tossed in butter)? Luckily, it’s hard to go wrong. As long as you’re handed a perfectly toasted bun toppled with fresh lobster, you made the right choice. With the country’s freshest lobster, even the so-called “worst” lobster roll in Maine is still gonna be pretty darn good. With that being said, there are a few incredible spots to check out Maine’s finest lobster rolls.

Read more: 20 Popular Value White Wines, Ranked Worst To Best

Southern Maine

Southern Maine has an incredible food scene crowded with seafood, but it’s still easy to stand out. Prices may skew higher in Portland, but it also offers a slightly elevated experience. Owned by two lobster loving Mainers, The Highroller Lobster Co. started out as a modest food cart back in 2015, and now it’s one of the most talked about spots in all of New England. They have a really fun and unpretentious approach to lobster. Between their “lobby pops” (aka lobster on a stick) and cheesy lobster tacos, there’s always something new to try, but they also execute a classic lobster roll flawlessly. If you want to enjoy Maine’s fresh lobster with a little twist, High Roller is the way to go.

For a more traditional lobster roll experience, head over to The Lobster Shack at Two Lights lighthouse. It’s tucked away right on the rocky wave-smashing coast of Cape Elizabeth and has the idyllic setting you would see on a postcard. Like many lobster shacks in the state, it’s counter service and BYOB so you can really make the experience your own. After ordering a lobster roll, you can cozy up at one of the many picnic tables surrounding the shack and take in the view.

Midcoast

When heading up the coast, you’ll pass by dozens of signs for lobster rolls, but up in Wiscasset, Red’s Eats is impossible to miss. At Red’s, they overflow their toasted hot dog buns with a hefty portion of fresh lobster, tail and all. Too much lobster is a great problem to have, but it’s not always worth the wait. Located right before the bridge on a scenic route up the coast, Red’s got really lucky with their location. On any given summer day, you’ll see a line extending down the street. If you don’t want to get sunburnt to a lobster’s hue, then zig zag over to Georgetown and try Five Islands Lobster Co.

If you thought Red’s was in an idyllic location, Five Islands will really wow you. Located right on the water, it doesn’t get much fresher than this. Rather than scouting out a middle man, the folks at Five Islands handle the fishing and the preparing. The lobstermen haul traps right off the dock so you can see your lunch arriving right as you pull into the parking lot. Similar to the Lobster Shack at Two Lights, Five Islands is BYOB and bring-your-own-anything, really. You’ll often see parties with decked out picnic tables, including tablecloths, candles, and nice bottles of white wine. The menu is surprisingly extensive, with a variety of sandwiches and fried seafood baskets, but the classic lobster roll is always a winner.

Downeast

After hitting midcoast Maine, it can feel like you’ve already seen it all, but that’s just the beginning. Downeast Maine is the northernmost corner, including Mount Desert Island which is home to the beautiful Acadia National Park. Bar Harbor is the area’s most vibrant summer town, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists every season, and while it’s packed with dozens of delicious seafood options, Southwest Harbor on the other side of the island has one of the state’s best lobster rolls.

Charlotte’s Legendary Lobster Pound puts legendary right in their name, and appropriately so. The location is incredibly unique, and not just for its quirky New England decor. They have an iconic ½ pound foot long lobster roll, which isn’t cheap at $60, but when in Maine, right? It’s served on a buttery, toasted brioche bun that will change your life. The meal isn’t complete without a big slice of Charlotte’s blueberry pie.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.