After a group of citizens called Save the Soul of Portland gathered enough signatures to help push forward a November referendum that could curtail new development along Portland’s waterfront, a second group of residents called Portland’s Future launched a campaign Wednesday to oppose the ballot question.
The second group contends the referendum could halt development in the city, but supporters of the measure have expressed concern about protecting scenic views, according to the Portland Press Herald.
Question 2 on Portland’s November ballot was initiated by Save the Soul of Portland group to stop planned development at 58 Fore St., the former Portland Co. complex. But the referendum is broad, and also would create a process for protecting additional scenic viewpoints in the city and would require potential developers to comply with more restrictions, according to the newspaper. They are concerned the referendum would stunt development and sustainable growth in Portland.
“This ordinance could pit residents against residents and neighborhood against neighborhood for decades to come,” the Press Herald quoted Jess Knox, co-chair of Portland’s Future PAC, as saying during a press conference in the West Bayside neighborhood. “In an effort to stop one project, the proponents of Question 2 are irresponsibly willing to put at risk every new idea, every new innovation and new project proposed for this great city. The smallest of things like someone adding a flagpole, a new porch on their house or new landscaping on a property can be challenged.”
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