” You don’t know what you got till it’s gone……”

Look around other towns. I think we may be accustomed to what we have here, and maybe don’t see it. I think there is a great deal of village characteristics here that we see every day, and don’t appreciate every day.

Reminds me of when I was 20 years old ( a very long time ago–, in the 1970s) I got a job washing dishes at the Jackson Lake Lodge in the Grand Tetons in Wyoming for 6 weeks. After a couple weeks , I realized that I was not noticing the spectacular view of the mountains, because I saw it every day.

I think that’s what we have here in South Berwick.

I agree that B1 is not the appropriate designation for that area but nether is its current one. I see nothing wrong with apartments or doctors & lawyers offices or something like that.

As people spoke, they were just about unanimous in calling for restrictions to be incorporated into any rezoning to business. While there was much support for local businesses, residents at the hearing did not want to see downtown South Berwick opened up to “Anywhere USA” development. With such a consensus, the Planning Board decided not to recommend B1 expansion.

The Planning Board and the Town Council now plan to hold a joint workshop at 6 pm on Tuesday, October 7 to work on rezoning to business with restrictions. Building size restrictions and design review need to be put in place.

Coming to a common ground as to what is appropriate building size and adequate design review is the work in front of the Planning Board, Town Council and the public. Please continue to advocate for restrictions that maintain the traditional character of the village.

Rite Aid approached one or more property owners a few years ago in the area in question, and offered to buy the properties at way above market price. It was then zoned B1. The owners refused. Since then, as the area was zoned residential, precluding this kind of proposal.

The RiteAid or big box store risk is not a scare tactic at all; it’s a fact, borne out by actual history in this very place!! That area is attractive to this that type of development. Arguments to the contrary ignore history; and what could happen now, 5 years, 10 years or more down the line if the zoning is returned to B1. I for one don’t want that risk to be taken that “it won’t happen”. It DID happen.

At the Planning Board hearing Tuesday night, there was overwhelming agreement of those testifying, including business owners and others, that a mixed use type zoning be established, that allows robust and reasonable business development while maintaining the essential character of this old, traditional neighborhood at the center of town.