The petition
We, the undersigned, oppose the construction of an assisted living facility on the top of Davis Island and request a moratorium on further development until traffic, sewer and Natural Rsource protection issues are comprehensively resolved.
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The lure of tax income should not outweigh the quality of life and property values of even one Edgecomb resident. It is not a good development decision to allow construction of such magnitude in an area that seems so ill fit for such a use. The proposed building has been modified at least two times to try to shoehorn the project onto the top of the Island. It does not fit the space, nor does it fit the type of use for what is currently a residential area. A structure larger than the local supermarket does not belong on this site.
Economic development, as praised by the Governor's office previously, should not be considered the ultimate goal if that goal destroys the quality of life of the town's residents. Davis Island had only 19 residences two years ago. Growth rates and density need to be addressed on this small island. There are 20 new homes being built with 20 more coming, 26 units built at the Workforce Housing complex and now 54 residences in the Senior Center ---that's 120 new residences on this small island in two years. The Davis Island stretch of Route 1 cannot handle the traffic generated by residents and tourists TODAY. The addition of 1000 trips a day to the mix is unsustainable.
The continued development of Davis Island will have a negative impact on the surrounding wetlands, Cod Cove, The Eddy and the Sheepscot River. Our local worming, shellfish and lobster industries depend on these areas.
We need a moratorium on building and sewer connections until we can figure out how to grow responsibly. Growth "just because it's there" is not a responsible plan. If developers continue to be in such a hurry to build as much as possible before the town wakes up to what is happening, the town will lose. Don't be like Wiscasset and hurry a plan to self-destruction.
The issue of overdeveloping Davis Island is currently being overshadowed by the prospect of a Coal Gasification plant on the Back River. It is important to focus on the immediate need of the citizens of Edgecomb and also the long term effect that rushing to develop every single acre of Davis Island will create. The approval of 120 additional residential units on a small island within two years is as destructive to the environment, the quality of life, pollution and traffic issues as one could possibly imagine. This is not the time to rush to judgment; this is the time for a moratorium on building on Davis Island until a comprehensive development plan can be determined and the related traffic, pollution and sewer issues resolved.
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