The recent front-page story “Yarmouth loosens leash on growth” (July 13) left me uneasy.

Though I understand the economics behind diversifying the tax base in the wake of changes at Wyman Station, as a multi-decade resident of the area who grew up in Cumberland, I hope Yarmouth town planners do not become shortsighted at relaxed zoning attempts.

In retrospect, the so-called “restrictive zoning ordinances” that Yarmouth adopted in the 1980s were forward-thinking and protected an extremely quaint and historic Main Street from fast food and fly-by-night national companies.

Moving commercial expansion to Route 1 may have disappointed the longstanding owner of Goff’s Hardware, but it preserved one of Maine’s most beautiful Main Streets, a setting more attractive than any single store could hope to be.

Using Goff’s in the article as the victim of “restrictive zoning” here is not entirely accurate. What’s likely hurt Goff’s more is the radical shift in that industry. The big-box home centers have changed the game.

Route 1 is where most shopping destinations belong. Today’s hyper-mobile, car-centric population actually wants to park close to stores, especially in Maine, where it’s often cold and stormy. Main Street has limited parking.

Route 1 also makes sense for commercial use because trailer trucks bring goods to today’s stores. Nobody wants these trucks on Main Street, blocking lanes with deliveries.

Route 1 also wins since it’s not historic. That present road has only been there since the 1950s.

Yarmouth’s Main Street is hardly a ghost town. Its many churches, North Yarmouth Academy, a community music center, bookstore, coffee shop, restaurants, banks, insurance agents, attorneys and one of the best local libraries around all speak to a thriving, walkable village that is diverse, unique and appealing. My hat goes off to the former planners.

Don Perkins

Raymond

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