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September 13, 2017

Petition seeks to halt Damariscotta commercial development

A citizens’ petition calling for a moratorium on commercial development in Damariscotta is moving forward to selectmen now that signatures have been verified.

The Lincoln County News  reported the petition was first submitted in August but was found invalid due to the absence of a town of residence accompanying most signatures. The resubmitted petition calls for a temporary ban on new retail buildings of larger than 2,500 square feet and on any new construction, expansion or use that requires approval under town ordinances.

“The town of Damariscotta is suddenly under threat of increased development pressure from large-scale retail development,” the petition says.

A moratorium, retroactive to June 7, would give the town at least 180 days to develop measures “to accommodate these development pressures.”

The petition came in response to growing controversy over a mixed-use development, which would include three buildings totaling 30,000 square feet on Main Street, proposed by Commercial Properties Inc.’s CEO Daniel Catlin. 

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