Friday, November 6, 2009
Let it Run Out
Landlocked Forrest will be on the Selectmen agenda on Monday, Nov 9 ay 7pm. This is a last ditch effort by a small group of Town Meeting members and a couple of other people who think selling Burlington’s jewel of real estate is in the community’s best interest. This group clearly represents the interests of Patriot Partners, the developer who has a first right of refusal on this 247 acres of prime land. Burlington took the land in 1985 to prevent over development, protect the water supply and add open space to our municipal portfolio. Right now, we have 5 planned development districts and just over 4.5 million square feet of office, biotech and retail space waiting for tenants. In this economy, who knows how long it will take for the current property owners to get tenants to lease these spaces. We currently have a 20% vacancy rate in town. I anticipate a full court press by Patriot Partners to convince the residents of Burlington that developing this land is in the best interest of the town. Why should our town allow further development when we have planned development districts in process and a high vacancy rate? Keep your eye on this one. Contact your Selectmen and Town Meeting Members and tell them let the Patriot Partner’s first right of refusal option run out .We do not need to sell town-owned land.
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I agree with you 100%. After 20 years, I recently found the forest. It is a gem and I hope we can keep it the way is. It's very sad to see all the empty buildings in this town and in the surrounding towns.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, for several reasons, I doubt we may never see many of these occupied ever again.
I think the ballot question is not fair, because it targets seniors. Seniors are usually the largest sector of the population to vote. Since the ballot question appears to be doing a great thing for them they will vote in favor of it. The other worrisome part of this question, is that most people in town don't know anything the property, thinking it's just a piece of dead land somewhere. They too will vote in favor of this. I think a survey would be more meaningful then a misleading ballot question.
I am disappointed in my town meetings for what they are trying to pull off, but I'm glad we have a guy like you to do the right thing.