By SUSAN M. COVER, Staff Writer Tuesday, May 08, 2007

After more than two hours of discussion -- which included proposed changes from supporters and opponents -- the State and Local Government Committee voted 9-2 to support the legislation. Two members were absent.

The bill now heads to the House for consideration.

The Informed Growth Act would require developers to spend up to $40,000 on the study if their proposed store is larger than 75,000 square feet.

They also would have to pay for a public hearing and municipal staff time spent on the study.

The bill drew a large crowd to the Statehouse last month, with supporters arguing that sprawl created by large stores hurts downtowns, the quality of life in Maine, and small businesses. It's sponsored by Rep. Chris Barstow, D-Gorham.

On the other side, opponents say it's another signal to business that Maine is not a friendly state, that cities and towns should create their own ordinances if they want to control growth, and that 75,000 square feet is not a large retailer by today's standards.

Peggy McGehee, an attorney who spoke on behalf of citizens who support the bill, said it's designed to complement ordinances that already exist in many Maine towns. The study would help local planning boards consider whether jobs would be created or lost, and whether revenue would increase or decrease, she said.

"They would have to make a finding that the large-scale development will not have an undue adverse impact," she said.

But opponents said the state should provide model legislation for cities and towns to adopt if they choose, but that the Legislature shouldn't require them to follow a new law.

Patty Aho, an attorney who spoke on behalf of the Maine Real Estate and Development Association, said that if legislation does go forward, the store size should be increased to at least 125,000 square feet.

"This should be ... up to municipalities to decide how they wish their communities to look," she said.

That prompted Sen. Elizabeth Schneider, D-Orono, to say that communities don't realize they need such a law until it's too late. She said it would provide more information that can lead to better decisions.

"I think this is pro-business and friendly to the community at large," she said.

Small-business owner Sen. Paula Benoit, R-Phippsburg, said businesses that propose buildings 75,000 square feet or larger can afford to pay for the study.

"As a small-business owner, I really feel small businesses will be encouraged to move to communities that have enacted this type of proposal," she said.

Although he supports the basic concepts of the measure, Rep. Stephen Beaudette, D-Biddeford, said he needed to get input from service center communities to see where they stand on the bill. He voted in favor of the bill, but did not support the majority report.

"I agree smaller communities don't have the resources to do a study like this and they need another mechanism to protect themselves," he said.

Susan Cover -- 623-1056

scover@centralmaine.com