We have an important decision to make at the polls on June 10. By virtue of a citizens’ referendum, which collected more than 1,200 signatures, we, the voters, will determine which zoning is in the best interests of our community. The choice is whether to reinstate the prior zoning, known as Stroudwater Contract Zone, which was the zoning in place from December 2008 to February 2014, or to confirm the recent rezoning to Gateway Commercial and Residential Growth Area 2. A bit of background is required for this.

My family and I have had the pleasure of living in the same gray farmhouse between Stroudwater Street and the Westbrook Arterial since 1970. Starting in the late ’70s, my father allowed the Randalls to graze their Herefords on the 60 acres behind our home. We did so because we enjoyed the cows and never asked the Randalls for a penny to do so; it was our pleasure, and the community enjoyed seeing them as much as we do. I have many fond memories of mowing the lawn, playing Frisbee or, more recently, painting blue and white referendum signs, while the cows would crowd along the fence line to see what I was doing. Cows are incredibly social creatures. We have enjoyed their past 40 years of grazing.

In 2007 and 2008, we went through a lengthy and broad community process to create a contract zone that I, and many others, feel best served the community. It was designed to serve the community in many ways.

First, no development could occur unless it was built to the highest standards. Some, including the new owner, J.B. Brown & Sons, have said at Planning Board and City Council meetings that the contract zone standards are too high and that nothing could be built under the rigorous design and environmental standards. Some also have said that the Stroudwater Contract Zone is effectively a conservation easement – that the land would remain unbuilt and forever open vista and grassland. While that is debatable, it was precisely the reason why the contract zone was so carefully crafted.

Case in point: In 2000, My brother, Simon, and I were offered $15,000,000 by a Topsfield, Mass., developer to buy the farmland to build a Walmart, and we also received a separate $12,000,000 offer to buy to build a Lowe’s. We rejected both offers. Of coursewe could have used the money, but in my mind, the money was never the focus. It was about quality. My brother, mother and I have nothing against either company. In fact, we shop at both stores. We did feel that both stores were not the best choices for a major gateway to our city and have always maintained that unless it is a great opportunity for the community, then the land should remain in its current state, beautiful pasture.

Second, the Stroudwater Contract Zone called for amenities that our community desperately needs; for one, a winter garden, where our seniors can congregate during the late fall, winter and early spring months when it is too cold to walk or recreate outdoors. The zone also required that a farmers market be built, reflecting pool and indoor skating facility. The zoning required that any development must be master planned and be a cohesive, unified project utilizing best practice, environmentally responsible design for landscaping and lighting.

Third, the Stroudwater Contract Zone emphasized environmental best practices in design, layout and construction. The zoning standards contained in the “Guiding Principles” section of the contract zone state, among other things, that a “fairground … to accommodate … sports, festivals” be built.

Fourth, the intent and spirit of the contract zone is to keep out lower-quality development that is not in the best interests and welfare of our community.

From Feb. 25 to March 10, when temperatures were averaging 5-20 degrees Fahrenheit, my brother Simon, who ate his fair share of whoopie pies and Italian sandwiches (Baker’s Bench and Dough Boys) and I went throughout this wonderful community of ours and got to meet some really amazing people and their wonderful pets, sweet cats and dogs.

It was becoming even more obvious as we collected signatures that the great majority of Westbrook residents want to see the Stroudwater area stay the way it is. For this and many other reasons, the best choice for us is to vote yes on June 10 and to reinstate the contract zone. As per the city of Westbrook charter, any citizens’ referendum that is successfully voted upon would automatically freeze such zoning for a period of five years, until June 2019. This means that next week, you, the voters, not the Planning Board and City Council, act as the legislative body and will determine the fate of Stroudwater. Vote yes.

Jason Arthur Snyder

Westbrook

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