| Big Box Stores Take
a Back Seat as Law Declares Citizens Rights to Information— 
A wide rage of concerned
groups, enviromental - fair trade- etc, who backed The Informed Growth Act,
are photographed here with the governor at the signing
By Ramona du
Houx
Recognizing the
merits of the Brookings Institution report on Maine, which advised the state on how to
balance growth by changing government policies and practices, while maintaining
Maine’s quality of life and investing in Maine’s global economic future, elected
officials are working towards these goals.
The Informed
Growth Act helps Maine strike a balance in the process of developing our towns and cities
by providing information.
"The most
important balance that we can try to create in the state of Maine is between maintaining
our quality of place and in supporting our economy. One of those can’t outweigh the
other," said Rep. Chris Barstow, the sponsor of LD 1810. "It doesn’t make
for a good community if you have a bustling economy but the quality of life and the
quality of place in your community are such that you don’t want to live there because
it’s so overdeveloped. If you can find a balance where you have good development and
good businesses with excellent wages and benefits, and you also have the quality of life
and place — that makes Maine a big community."
(Photo: Rep. Chris Barstow
was the sponsor of The Informed Growth Act)
The Informed
Growth Act, the first law of its kind in the nation, stipulates that cities and towns
evaluate the impact of large-scale retail development proposals on jobs, local businesses,
and municipal finances and approve only those projects that will not have an undue adverse
effect on the local economy.
"This law
guarantees that, along with environmental, traffic and other impacts, the economic impact
of a proposed retail development project of 75,000 square feet or greater is evaluated as
part of the local permitting process. Local policymakers will get input from recognized
experts, as well as the public, as part of this process," said Governor Baldacci.
"This will not stifle economic growth but will rather enhance the flow of information
about a project among developers, municipal officials and the general public."
The Informed
Growth Act’s economic impact analysis is performed by an independent consultant
chosen jointly by the town and the developer, and paid for by a fee charged to the
developer. It evaluates the effects of the proposed development on existing businesses,
jobs, wages, vacancy rates, the cost of municipal services, and the volume of "sales
revenue retained and reinvested" in the community.
After the
analysis is complete, the town must hold a public hearing. The law gives the town the
authority to reject the development.
The act ensures
that, even in areas zoned for commercial development, citizens and local officials will
always have an opportunity to evaluate big-box development and make informed decisions
about whether to approve or reject such projects.
"This is a
tremendous victory for the people of Maine, our communities, workers, and local
economies," said Daphne Loring of the Maine Fair Trade Campaign.
The governor with Union
repersentatives who backed The Informed Growth Act
"I think
this bill is about allowing cities and towns to have both the information and the kick in
the pants they might need to truly evaluate the big picture when it comes to the addition
of category killer type stores to their community," said Stacy Gervais owner of
Stacy’s Hallmark in Augusta.
The bill’s
passage was the result of the work of a broad coalition of over 180 small businesses,
numerous municipal officials, and many labor, environmental, and community organizations.
"Small
businesses are the backbone and character of our communities and economy. It’s very
important that we try and preserve their place and space in our towns throughout the
state. On top of the contributions of providing good jobs and benefits to workers, they
also make community contributions. It’s very important to maintain their place in the
community and make sure that backbone is intact," said Barstow.
"We’re
providing fairness both to the permit application holders and also to the community that
is going to choose whether or not the development should be allowed to move forward. In
some cases these types of developments can be positive, because they can supplement
existing businesses. Obviously data has shown that if a Wal-Mart comes into town, wages
and benefits are poor, and it actually takes money from the local economy and sends it out
of state. We don’t want to be extreme and ban these types of retail developments; at
the same time we don’t want it to be a free pass to come into a community and build
what you want."
This law
protects the rights of citizens and helps keep Maine—Maine.
"I want my
children to be able to have the same kind of experience that I had growing up in Maine in
a nurturing community, enjoying the quality of place and life in this state," said
Barstow. "I want them to get a quality education and jobs, here in Maine. I hope we
can have seventh generation or eighth generation Barstows in the area where I grew
up."
"The two most important
responsibilities that we have are to our children and our natural resources," said
Governor Baldacci. "What this legislation does is — by protecting our natural
resources we are protecting our children because their quality of place, the environment
that they are going to live in, their communities that they will raise their families in,
and the businesses they are going to work in are being developed by this kind of informed
legislation."
Rep. Chris Barstow and his
daughter at the signing of his bill - The Informed Growth Act
|
