On Nov. 5, Scarborough is scheduled to vote on the $6 million land bond. The plan is being pitched as a solution to runaway growth, which a clear majority of residents vehemently oppose. Before voting on Question 3, it’s important to understand what you can and cannot do with land bonds.
Scarborough is rich in natural resources and we all appreciate them. Proponents of land bonds claim that they “protect our land and water.” But what does that claim actually mean and how is it achieved?
Scarborough’s prime development parcels are currently selling for up to $100,000 per acre. It is unrealistic to think that taxpayers can outbid developers for enough land to protect land and water quality. The town and its taxpayers simply cannot afford a way out of the runaway growth spiral that the town’s leaders have created.
A more practical solution would be for town leaders to take meaningful steps to curb growth and protect the natural environment.
Creating effective zoning and growth ordinances would be a natural place to start. The town currently has a 600-page zoning ordinance that details restrictions such as signage and parking. We can and should strengthen our ordinances to protect our land, water, and incredible marshes.
As part of our renewed commitment to protecting what’s best in Scarborough, our leaders must also learn how to say no to developers. That doesn’t happen much anymore. Town leaders must adopt an approach that prioritizes preserving the natural world over the wishes of developers.
In addition to recognizing the critical need for stronger environmental leadership, voters should recognize three other aspects of the proposed $6 million land bond:
First, taxpayers funding conservation through land bonds is highly unusual in Maine. Over the past 28 years, only nine Maine municipalities have issued land bonds. And with $7.5 million in land bonds issued to date, Scarborough is tied with Falmouth for the most outstanding bonds. Individual donations to local land trusts are the most common way to fund local conservation efforts. Scarborough needs to join the mainstream and ease the financial burden on local taxpayers.
Second, land bonds may be used for several purposes other than conservation. It includes, among other things, “supporting recreation” and “enlarging existing protected areas and public areas.” These vague guidelines could allow the town council, by majority vote, to make large-scale land purchases for clearly non-conservation projects, such as land for a new school playground or community center/pool. . Such purchases do not require voter approval as they would otherwise.
Finally, the proposed land bond would force all taxpayers to support certain charities over others. While land conservation is a worthy cause, there are many other causes that individuals can choose to support, including health, education, religious, and civic organizations. This forced donation is especially difficult for residents who cannot afford to donate. This problem would go away if Scarborough followed the model of most other Maine cities and towns and supported conservation through private donations and grants to the Scarborough Land Trust.
We strongly support local conservation. However, we at SMARTaxes (Scarborough Maine Rational Tax Advocates) believe that a $6 million land bond is an unrealistic, ineffective, and unfair approach. A strong leadership commitment to conservation, accompanied by strong and strictly enforced land use ordinances, provides the most effective and affordable means to limit growth in Scarborough and protect our lands and waters. .
Question 3 on November 5th calls for a “no” vote.
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