South Portland Land Trust Supports Land Bond Ordinance
Organization encourages residents to vote YES to support the bond referendum
South Portland Land Trust supports the Land Bond Ordinance (#2-21/22) that will appear on South Portland ballots in November. Election Day is Tuesday, November 2. Polls are open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and you can also vote early. Visit the City Clerk for complete details on how to cast your ballot.
What is the Land Bond Ordinance?
The Land Bond Ordinance will make it possible for the City of South Portland to purchase land within city limits for recreational use, the preservation of natural habitats, climate change mitigation, and long-term environmental sustainability. The Land Bond gives the City the ability to proactively protect open space and ensure smart development. The Land Bond helps to ensure that healthy communities are prioritized just as much as new housing and retail space.
Why does South Portland Land Trust support the ordinance?
The mission of South Portland Land Trust is to conserve open space in the City and link neighborhoods with a growing network of trails. The goals of the Land Bond directly align with the organization's goals to conserve open space in South Portland.
Why is it important to pass the Land Bond at this time?
South Portland faces intense development pressure and it’s critical to protect key pieces of land with substantial value to our community - before the opportunity is lost forever. Over the last ten months, the City has already approved over 5 acres of open space for development.*
Most importantly, climate change is a real threat to our community. By keeping coastal or adjacent lands undeveloped, we can mitigate the effects of rising sea levels and flooding. In addition, by protecting certain parcels of forested land, we can lessen the “heat island effect” (which makes built-up neighborhoods significantly hotter than ones that include natural features) - a growing concern as extreme temperatures become more common.
Additional reasons it is important to pass the Land Bond now:
To ensure spaces for outdoor recreation near our homes and schools. The Land Bond will also help the City meet its goal that all South Portland residents live within ½ mile or less from a park or open space by 2035.
To ensure that we can amend land management practices in the City to enhance carbon sequestration and storage
To continue to protect, restore, and expand healthy forests and wetlands; create a thriving, inclusive, low-carbon community for ourselves and generations to come.
How much will the Land Bond cost?
For a person who owns a home valued at $325,000 (the average value in the City currently) the cost of the bond would be under $17 per year over a period of 20 years (according to data as of 09/15/21.) Residents whose homes are valued at less than $325,000 would pay a bit less; those with homes valued at more would pay a bit more. The amount of the proposed bond is $4.5 million.*
*Information obtained from the Open Space Acquisition Committee (OSAC).