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February 7, 2008

Belfast officials try to block Lowe's

The Belfast City Council wants to overturn a commercial zone created specifically for big box stores in a move to block Lowe's Home Improvement Store from coming to town, the Bangor Daily News reported.

Four years ago, voters approved a special commercial district to allow big stores to build on the East Side of Belfast. The zone was pushed by businessman Dana Keene, who holds options on the site that Lowe's now wants to occupy, the newspaper reported. Soon after, some town residents successfully convinced voters to change the city charter that puts land use decisions in the hands of residents. Consequently, the new amendment gives the city council power to make zoning decisions, such as eliminating commercial zones approved by voters.

Lowe's has proposed building a 175,000-square-foot store and garden center along with two separate 2,500-square-foot buildings on Searsport Avenue. The store could create 150 jobs, which would pay $14 to $21 an hour, with benefits. The city says the big-box store could hurt local businesses.

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