Freeport land purchase shows limits of planning It does not, however, cancel the need for anti-sprawl efforts. In this case, however, at least half the land purchased was to have been earmarked for development under Freeport's proposed growth management ordinance. A group of about 50 neighbors banded together to buy the field because they wanted to see it preserved rather than become a designated growth area. This, however, will only drive new home construction further into Freeport's rural lands, hastening the conversion of open space into subdivisions.
Growth management is difficult because it requires new thinking.
The wealthy Sayles field purchasers have protected land that is valuable to them, but at no small cost to the town. Again, we find it difficult to fault residents who use their own money to conserve open space. However, we think such money could be used more wisely if it is directed by a town or regional land trust that has identified and ranked parcels according to their ecological and community importance. The unanticipated purchase shouldn't be taken as a sign of opposition to the growth management plan, but rather as evidence of the value Freeport residents place on preservation. It should only strengthen the arguments of those who recognize the many problems sprawl creates for traditional communities.