Call Center
Richard Michaud, City Manager, Rockland (pop. 7,703)

This publication is presented for "Classroom Use Only."  Its intended use is to stimulate and aid in discussion and role playing within a classroom setting.

Situation:

A company wishes to place a call center in the City, creating 100 jobs and adding more than $1 million to the tax base. The best location for the call center is in an area of the City zoned "Residential." Should the City Council change the zone to allow the business to operate in this residential neighborhood?

Background:

Zoning restricts how a property owner can use property. It, in theory, creates protection for abutting and adjacent owners. The city has a stated goal of decreasing the tax burden and one way to do this is by expanding the tax base. If the same amount of money is needed to operate and the tax base has grown, then the tax rate will come down according to this theory.

Issues:

• Is this legal?

• Who has the authority to make this change?

• What process(s) must be undertaken to make this change?

• Is this in the best interests of all?

• How much will the tax rate decrease?

• What costs are associated with this?

Some Suggested MMA Resources:

• Amendment of Zoning Ordinance Notice Requirements, Maine Townsman, "Legal Notes," October 1994.

• Comprehensive Plans and Zoning Ordinances, Maine Townsman, March 1991.

• Eminent Domain, Maine Townsman, "Legal Notes," August 1992.