Editor:
Kennebunkport’s land use ordinance is intended to protect property owners against inappropriate development. Contract zoning (CZ) is designed to allow an applicant to do something that otherwise would not be allowed by the ordinance in that zone in exchange for granting something of value to the town.
CZ can streamline the procedures and make it easier for developers or others to obtain approvals but unfortunately, since it bypasses some basic zoning restrictions of the ordinance, it comes with a high potential for abuse.
Since few projects in our town are of such an urgent nature that they would mandate expedited approvals, while allowing major exceptions to the normal requirements of the land use ordinance, there appears to be little justification for and considerable risk associated with CZ.
To repeal CZ, vote “yes” on Question 9.
Jack Senese
Kennebunkport