When does a housing crisis become a land grab for developers? Answer: When LD 1884 allows a statewide housing shortage to make null and void decades of Auburn residents’ due process in determining Auburn land use.

Auburn residents have chosen multiple times to protect the 18,000 acres (down from 35,000) of farmland since 1964 from development. This protection encourages urban growth where our services are located, and protects our farming community.

It is stunning that state Rep. Bruce Bickford, the sponsor of LD 1884, who is supposed to be representing Auburn, wants to take away local control from the citizens of Auburn.

I plan to tune into the Zoom meeting when LD 1884 is to be discussed on Monday morning, to let the Labor and Housing Committee know that I am opposed to the state taking away our local control.

Sharon Phibrook Bergeron, Auburn