why cant more towns zone like Freeport? (Bangor, Rockland: real estate, mobile home)

[averagenyjoe]

With all the commotion about big box stores and sprawl overtaking once beautiful cities and towns, why in the world cant many other towns enact strict zoning like Freeport? If they can do it, others should be able to also. That way, if a chain wants to come in, they have to abide by size and architecture regulations.

for those that don’t know the area, the McDonalds and other places like friendly’s are actually pleasant looking.

[warpedg]

Originally Posted by averagenyjoe

With all the commotion about big box stores and sprawl overtaking once beautiful cities and towns, why in the world cant many other towns enact strict zoning like Freeport? If they can do it, others should be able to also. That way, if a chain wants to come in, they have to abide by size and architecture regulations.

for those that don’t know the area, the McDonalds and other places like friendly’s are actually pleasant looking.

I completely agree...maybe not to the extent of Freeport. I do believe that towns should take a much stricter stance on the image that the stores bring to their towns. I think people would find it to be a much better compromise when it comes to allowing something that some people in town still dislike. Even though I know a lot of the big box stores look similar, I have seen different designs that conveyed that particular regions architecture more closely.

[mollysmiles]

I completely agree!! More towns need to be on the ball with this....there's no need of having the nasty facades--or no facade at all!!.....the chains have the money to do it with class and attention to detail, and if they can't, they don't get the location.

[MRVphotog]

I think Freeport is a very strange town. The town retail built. There is some sprawl growing south along US 1 and the McD's is not only in an old house but they are not allowed to have speakers for their drive-thru.

[forest beekeeper]

I have not been to Freeport, so I do not know what they do.

I like how Bangor does it though. One commercial district with two freeway offramps. The mall is there, as are all the big franchise stores. It is separate from the older downtown area of the city.

[warpedg]

Originally Posted by MRVphotog

I think Freeport is a very strange town. The town retail built. There is some sprawl growing south along US 1 and the McD's is not only in an old house but they are not allowed to have speakers for their drive-thru.

When I take my dog walking down the sidewalks it seems almost like its the LLBean version of DisneyWorld. The streets all look quaint but yet fake....the old buildings are housing restaurants and shops so they are essentially facades. I do think Freeport could learn a lot from other towns in Maine though...ie, Camden and even Rockland. If you walk through here as much as I do you notice how the landscape isnt that well kept, the empty store fronts, faded signage, etc. The town could use a small facelift.

[Unhappycamper]

Originally Posted by MRVphotog

I think Freeport is a very strange town. The town retail built. There is some sprawl growing south along US 1 and the McD's is not only in an old house but they are not allowed to have speakers for their drive-thru.

I spent three and a half years working at that McD's and every summer the tourists would not understand how there is no audio. They would sit there running their engines saying "Hello....Hello?" then often times followed by swearing. But I did like the fact it was a nice old house, the Gore House. It made it feel less like a McDonalds. Its been a year since I left there and I am a much happier person.

[warpedg]

Originally Posted by Unhappycamper

I spent three and a half years working at that McD's and every summer the tour.................. Its been a year since I left there and I am a much happier person.

But you're still an 'unhappycamper'?

[mainebrokerman]

i have a bit different take on this,,lets take aroostook or washington county, much less manufacturing or higher paying jobs ,,they say young kids "have to move away" to get a decent job.. and maine is often described as an unfriendly business state and a very high welfare state,,
my point??
ive seen many businesses and development that CAN come to many towns,,yet the local planning board rejects it,,,and yes,,i agree with the big box stores,,,belfast and damariscotta voted no more than 35000 squ ft,,for a store,,,keeps them out.
however, ive seen the same mentality against the big box stores,,applied to smaller businesses with well-paying jobs.
entrepenuers, businesses and manufacturing, technology, and most any job creation im all for,,if it provides decent paying jobs to get more folks off welfare,,and can offer health/dental benefits,,then im all for it,,(and raises the standard of living of mainers or offers most of us "choices" that we otherwise dont have)
i guess im a pure capitalist,, im for folks working , to make a decent living and being able to buy more goods and services in thier community,,and perhaps i have a bit of an attitude,,because ive listened to many developments get quashed by planning boards,,mostly by some retired older person,,,who is "set" for life and it doesnt matter to them,,even tho 74% of the high school grads are moving out of town to get a job,,
or the select-person is of the tree-hugging sect,,,totally adverse to any development anywhere!!

im all for conformity within a community,,but there is a balance..

[danpv]

I was in Blue Hill several months ago researching the residential home market and was shocked to be told at one of the RE offices there that Blue Hill doesn't have much in the way of zoning laws per se.

I asked the RE office person that if I bought an expensive (by local standards) house next to any empty lot, whether there were zoning laws to prevent someone from putting in a mobile home next door. She told me "no, there aren't any zoning laws against that", because they (town of Blue Hill) were so desperate for real estate activity that they there was little if anything they wouldn't allow.

Needless to say, I decided to look elsewhere.