Letter: Cancel town version of ‘Let’s Make a Deal’ (May 30, 2008)
Editor:
Two years ago “contract zoning” snuck into Kennebunkport like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Voters were lulled into approving it when told it was only a one-time need for the Goose Rock potties. Since then at least two other contract zoning schemes have been attempted, and it would be naïve not to think other deals are brewing.
I can’t help but think of contract zoning as the municipal version of the game show “Let’s Make a Deal.” The town picks contestants from among landowners who want to break their existing zoning law. Say, for example, that you live in the residential district and would like to put a tour-bus parking lot on your land to make a few extra bucks. Now the fun starts when you bargain back and forth with the town until you get the benefits you want, and the town gets a “public benefit.” At the end of the game voters go to the polls to choose the winners. Prizes are then handed out to the lucky contestants by the zoning board.
Experience tells us that watchers take the most interest when the game is played in their own neighborhood. If the zoning to be overturned is across the street from them, homeowners tend to get scared and even angry. This can make the show more lively and suspenseful, sometimes nasty, as residents from one part of town are pitted against other neighborhoods (this is called “reality zoning”).
This show has been seen for a long time elsewhere, although rarely in upscale residential towns. Usually you find the game being played in rough-and-tumble big cities that have lots of politicos, wheelers, dealers, and backrooms. Sometimes the dealers have to scram out of town in a hurry, as in many states contract zoning has been found by the courts to be illegal or unconstitutional.
Up until recently, the game was called “spot” zoning. For obvious reasons it had a very shabby and seedy reputation, so dealers went for a makeover. That’s when they came up with “contract” zoning. But the only thing that changed was the name.
Truth be told, I’d like to see this show taken off the air altogether in our town. Voters can do just that on June 10 by voting to repeal spot, excuse me, contract zoning.
Les Dawson
Kennebunkport
Two years ago “contract zoning” snuck into Kennebunkport like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Voters were lulled into approving it when told it was only a one-time need for the Goose Rock potties. Since then at least two other contract zoning schemes have been attempted, and it would be naïve not to think other deals are brewing.
I can’t help but think of contract zoning as the municipal version of the game show “Let’s Make a Deal.” The town picks contestants from among landowners who want to break their existing zoning law. Say, for example, that you live in the residential district and would like to put a tour-bus parking lot on your land to make a few extra bucks. Now the fun starts when you bargain back and forth with the town until you get the benefits you want, and the town gets a “public benefit.” At the end of the game voters go to the polls to choose the winners. Prizes are then handed out to the lucky contestants by the zoning board.
Experience tells us that watchers take the most interest when the game is played in their own neighborhood. If the zoning to be overturned is across the street from them, homeowners tend to get scared and even angry. This can make the show more lively and suspenseful, sometimes nasty, as residents from one part of town are pitted against other neighborhoods (this is called “reality zoning”).
This show has been seen for a long time elsewhere, although rarely in upscale residential towns. Usually you find the game being played in rough-and-tumble big cities that have lots of politicos, wheelers, dealers, and backrooms. Sometimes the dealers have to scram out of town in a hurry, as in many states contract zoning has been found by the courts to be illegal or unconstitutional.
Up until recently, the game was called “spot” zoning. For obvious reasons it had a very shabby and seedy reputation, so dealers went for a makeover. That’s when they came up with “contract” zoning. But the only thing that changed was the name.
Truth be told, I’d like to see this show taken off the air altogether in our town. Voters can do just that on June 10 by voting to repeal spot, excuse me, contract zoning.
Les Dawson
Kennebunkport
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