Editor: 
On Tuesday, June 10, the voters of Kennebunkport will go to the polls to vote on nine referendum questions. Question 6 is “Amendment to the Land Use Ordinances concerning Golf Courses in the Village Residential Zone.”
This amendment will permit golf courses in existence since January 1, 2008 as a conditional use in the Village Residential Zone subject to site plan review. Cape Arundel Golf Club is the only golf course in the zone. The amendment does not permit new golf courses to be established in the Village Residential Zone and does not have anything to do with contract zoning; Question 6 is simply to correct an oversight in the existing ordinances. 
This proposed amendment was originally proposed by the code enforcement officer to correct an apparent oversight in the land use ordinance. It has now been approved and endorsed by both the planning board and the board of selectmen. It came up in the context of Cape Arundel Golf Club’s request to replace and repair certain bridges and address drainage and irrigation issues. Despite the fact Cape Arundel Golf Course has been in existence since the late 1800s (well predating any zoning) the term “golf course” was never included as a permitted or conditional use in the Village Residential Zone.
The proposed amendment will only apply to existing golf courses and Cape Arundel is the only such course in the Village Residential Zone. New golf courses will not be permitted. If passed, the amendment will classify the golf course as a “conditional use,” meaning that any changes must be approved by the planning board under all their applicable standards.
Planning board meetings are open to the public and typically involve the scheduling of public hearings for a full airing of views.
Please vote on June 10 to support Question 6 Amendment to the land use ordinances concerning golf courses in the Village Residential Zone. Absentee ballots are now available at the Kennebunkport Town Office.
Thank you for your support.
Maureen King
Kennebunkport