7/29/2019 Top10 Reasons to Vote NO

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Vote NO on April 6th

Many of your neighbors and fellow residents of North Berwick have spent the last several monthsattending Planning Board workshops and public hearings and Selectmen meetings in an attempt tounderstand the Proposed Ordinance change and express their concerns. The reasons for their opposition to this proposal are as follows:

1. This proposal alters  portions of Village A, which has been a residential land use district for over 35years, and re-classifies it for commercial use, allowing large commercial entities to build andconduct business in the midst of existing residences. This will severely impact the quality of life of the current

residents and their families. With significant increases in traffic, trucking and other commercial vehicleactivity, the addition of widened roads to accommodate turning lanes, parking to accommodate potential patrons, dumpsters over flowing with trash, lighting, noise and loss of natural areas, theadverse effects are extensive.

2. This proposal reduces the rear and side setbacks in this residential area from 100’ to 20’. This meansthat any portion of a commercial use could be 20’ from their neighbors’ home: parking lots, trash,drives, buildings, signage, vehicles, tools & equipment, lights, etc.

3. This proposal will destroy our downtown. Commercial expansion along Routes 4 & 9, as is being proposed, will discourage investment and development in our already struggling downtown, may causecurrent businesses to move and is in direct conflict with the Comprehensive Plan.4. This proposal will not enhance our tax base. Contrary to what many believe, the actual maximum tax benefit is a mere 0.2% above our current tax base. A cost-benefit analysis shows that a largecommercial enterprise, such as a supermarket, increases our tax base by only 0 .2% over current alloweduses. Additionally, changing existing homes into commercial uses, such as an insurance office, does notincrease the tax revenue.

5. This proposal will significantly decrease the property values of homes in these affected areas as wellas those that abut these districts-approximately 100 properties. The financial and aesthetic appeal of these properties will be damaged by commercial use or anticipated commercial use within 20’ andeverything which this brings.

7. This proposal significantly degrades traffic safety with the additional change of on-street parking being allowed in these newly designated commercial use areas and the extension of the Rtes. 4 & 9commercial corridors.

8. This proposal eliminates other commercial opportunities. There has been no examination of theutilization of existing available commercial space or exploration of less densely populated areas for alternative commercial expansion. The new Commercial II district is already densely populateddiscouraging further commercial development.

9. This proposal allows a large commercial entity to infringe on the neighboring property that wasdeeded to The North Berwick Historical Society and is home to Unity Park and the historic Morrell-Shelburne House, defacing the appearance and character of that which should be protected for 

future generations to enjoy.10. This proposal will forever alter the face and feel of North Berwick. “North Berwick is thequintessential Maine town, not only because of its natural beauty and friendly inhabitants, but becauseof the care taken in maintaining the spirit of the town”- former Governor Baldacci. Don’t kill that spiritwith short-sighted planning.

Let’s keep North Berwick, “the way life should be”.