AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives and the Maine Senate gave overwhelming bipartisan support this week to a bill sponsored by Rep. Melanie Sachs, D-Freeport, that would establish the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority. In a vote of 117-16, the House gave initial approval to LD 1694 Monday, and the Senate passed it unanimously Tuesday.
The Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority would help communities bring abandoned, environmentally compromised and/or functionally obsolete properties into productive use by leveraging federal and technical resources. Municipalities would work with the land bank to determine the best use for the distressed property, often resulting in housing development or the creation of parks. The land bank would also provide technical assistance to communities as they explore their options, both in the form of best practices guidelines developed by a statewide Development Ready Committee and through access to the land bank's staff to address barriers to the projects.
"I'm thankful that this bill received bipartisan support among my colleagues in the Legislature," said Sachs. "LD 1694 presents a solution to a statewide problem how to help communities deal with compromised and abandoned properties and address issues such as our housing crisis. These properties, due to title, tax or lien complications, environmental issues, functional obsolescence or other factors, are prohibitive to private investment or municipal redevelopment. Land banks are proven models to redevelop properties that cannot be resolved by other means. LD 1694 also provides needed technical support to municipalities to determine what path works best for them."
The bill faces more votes in the coming days.
Sachs, who is serving her first term in the Maine House of Representatives, represents Freeport and part of Pownal. She serves on the Legislature's Taxation Committee and the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Sachs], c. 812-1111