Noel Musson has over twenty-five years of experience working on planning, economic development, and permitting projects. Noel has worked with a range of clients from both the public and private sector. He holds a Master’s Degree in Community Planning and Development from the Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine, and a BA in Political Science from the University of Maine. As a professional land use planner, Noel has been trained to identify strategic alternatives to development issues through a comprehensive understanding of the physical and natural landscape, community trends and desires, and economic conditions. Noel has a participatory planning approach that involves clients, government officials, citizens, and other experts in creating livable and sustainable projects. He has experience with multiple regulatory sectors (state, regional, local), downtown revitalization projects, coastal harbor planning, grant writing, land use studies, code review, permitting, and project management. Noel is an expert in relating complex issues to the public and managing projects from conception to completion. He is a trained facilitator and has an understanding of the legal foundation of land use regulations, in identifying site/building permit requirements, associated time lines, and coordinating the process through to completion. Additionally, Noel has experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other tools to help explore land use trends and analyze development opportunities.  

Prior to establishing The Musson Group, Noel was a Project Manager and Planning Manager for CES, Inc. a state wide multi-disciplinary engineering firm. In this role, Noel oversaw all aspects of the company’s planning and economic development business unit. Noel served as Branch Manager for the company’s office on Mount Desert Island and in Auburn. He was responsible for office staff, quality control, and business development. As Planning Director for the Town of Harpswell, Noel helped establish the Town’s first planning department, administered the Town’s Land Use Ordinances, performed code review with the Planning Board, helped staff other Town Committees, and developed the Town’s GIS Database. Noel grew up on Mount Desert Island and has a lifelong connection with the coast of Maine. Click here to email Noel.