Maine city bans campgrounds to dam homeless commune plan
Bradford residents voted Tuesday to briefly halt growth of a wide selection of homes and shelters after studying a few Bangor man’s plans to accommodate homeless individuals there.
The city unveiled a draft moratorium ordinance Sept. 18, which mentioned that Bradford is “out of the blue confronted with the prospect of elevated growth strain from proposals for rooming homes and shelters.” Residents have considerations in regards to the location, operation of such locations, well being and security, environmental results, adjoining property values and different components, the doc mentioned.
The ordinance is a response to the plans of Michael Tuller, president of nonprofits Bangor Pals of Inexpensive Housing and Bangor Pals of Folks in Want. He purchased 35 acres in Bradford, which he intends to develop right into a protected group for individuals who don’t have properties, describing one thing like a rural commune.
Though Tuller’s imaginative and prescient stays largely unclear as a result of he has not submitted a constructing proposal to Bradford’s Planning Board, his plans might want to wait. The ban adopted Tuesday briefly prohibits him and others from constructing rooming homes, shelters, campgrounds and tiny dwelling parks, that are outlined within the doc.
Ninety-five residents voted in favor of the moratorium ordinance Tuesday night time, mentioned Errol Hanson, Bradford Choose Board chairperson. 5 voted in opposition to it.
“Improvement of rooming homes, shelters, campgrounds and tiny dwelling parks pursuant to the present Land Use Ordinance might pose critical threats to the general public well being, security and welfare of the inhabitants of Bradford,” the doc mentioned.
The moratorium, efficient instantly, offers Bradford Choose Board members 180 days to contemplate whether or not the city’s land use ordinances are sufficient. The board might determine to create new ordinances that defend residents and the well being of the city.
Since Sept. 18, the ordinance was revised to incorporate campgrounds and tiny dwelling parks after residents expressed considerations that Tuller might discover loopholes.
The revised model tweaked the definition for rooming homes, that are dwellings with models during which area “is let, with or with out cost, by the proprietor or operator to 3 or extra individuals who usually are not the partner, authorized dependent, mother or father, grandparent or sibling of the proprietor or operator.”
The ordinance defines a campground as “any parcel of land that accommodates, or is designed, laid out or tailored to accommodate two or extra campers.” And it defines tiny dwelling parks as “any parcel of land beneath single or widespread possession or management, which accommodates, or is designed, laid out or tailored to accommodate three or extra tiny properties.”
