Portland Voters Reject Growth Limits

Maine voters last week rejected a referendum that would have limitedgrowth in Portland, the state's biggest city, by giving residents a greater say on development projects. The Portland Press Herald reported that voter turnoutwas far greater than anticipated -- nearly 21 percent of eligible voters.The measure would have stopped large scale development until planners andresidents completed guidelines for future housing, and also would have required the city to give neighborhoods more influence in the planning process. Nearly 1,800 building permits were issued by the city of Portlandlast year, compared with 709 five years ago. Referendum opponents feared the measure would kill growth.