Whether we like it or not, our community's accelerated growth in the past years is undeniable. While we have struggled to expand our healthcare and educational resources to meet this demand, our commercial amenities have also failed to keep pace. For homeowners, having access to quality goods and services is just as vital as having quality schools and accessible medical care.
This gap is especially felt by year-round residents who need viable shopping options without the hassle of driving on heavily congested Route 1 during the summer months. The proposed Atlantic Fields project, with retailers like Costco, Target and Whole Foods, would directly address this need.
Supporting this commercial development is a smart investment in our community. Studies have shown that a nearby Whole Foods can significantly increase the appreciation of local homes. Ensuring our properties grow in value is crucial for current homeowners and helps maintain our area's attractiveness to future buyers of the homes we are all living in now.
Let's make a clear distinction: we can approve the necessary commercial development of Atlantic Fields while, at the same time, adopting a more thoughtful and deliberate approach to future residential growth. Let’s support a project that will immensely benefit existing residents and their properties.