Agenda - 01-10-1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

If properly planned, a growth management program results from a mischaracterization of modern land use will zone enough land to meet the projected residential, planning as bung "anti-growth:' In almost every case, commercial and industrial demands of the county for the so-called "no growth" movements actually constitute a life of the program. The use of such additional eiements backlash against unplanned, chaotic urban sprawl. The as capital improvement programming and development conditions which give rise to "no-growth" sentiments are timing in a growth management program can eliminate precisely the conditions that can be prevented or reme- much of the speculative bidoing which can grossly inflate died by an effective growth management program. land prices. The development of a sound local growth management program requires a long-term commitment by a com- MYTH NO. 3: Growth management will increase the munity's leadership. The first step is to evaluate the com- costs of public services such as water, sewers, and high- munity's housing needs, available public services, and ways. environmental quality. Factors such as population growth projections, water, sewer and highway capacity, and the All of the evidence is to the contrary. Without a growth importance of preserving agricultural land, wildlife hab- management program, sprawl, strip development, and itat and other natural and cultural amenities are consid- leap-frog development occur, creating the need for enor- ered in the creation of a growth management plan. The mously expensive improvements in public services:sewer evaluation process defines the limas up to which a com- and water line extensions, highway widenings, storm munity may grow without sacrificing its character, envi- drainage improvements, sewage treatment facility expan- ronmental quality, or ambience and without unduly bur- sions, etc. In 'The Costs of Sprawl;' a report produced dening its residents with increased taxes to pay for the by the Real Estate Research Corporation for the Presi- expansion of public services. After the evaluation is com- dent's Council on Environmental Quality in 1974, the pleted, a growth management plan is devised which will higher public costs associated with strip development and reflect a community's capacity to accommodate growth. low-density sprawl development are documented. More A community which reaches its growth limit under a recent studies conducted in DeKalb County, Illinois and growth management plan would be no different than a Loudoun County, Virginia substantiate those findings. desirable residential subdivision which is completely built Growth management programs which channel growth out or an apartment complex in which all of the units are into those areas which have sufficient public services rented. A person who wants to live in one of those loca- available are extremely cost effective. tions must wait until a house or an apartment becomes available. Until that time, he or she must choose an al. MYTH NO. 4: Growth management programs are "eli. ternative place to live.This scenario of choice is repeated tist" because they exclude low-income families. every day all across the country without oppressive re- sults. This is a spurious argument when applied to the vast Choice is an essential ingredient in growth manage- majority of current growth management programs. Years ment programs. Politicians, planners and the public must ago, some communities attempted to create exclusive make hard choices about the type, number and density enclaves through the use of what was referred to as"snob of housing units to be built in their community; the ca- zoning:' In every case these attempts were either invali. pacity of school facilities, commercial enclaves and in- dated by court ruling or abandoned. Modern growth dustrial parks; the size and location of highways; and the management programs make affordable housing an inte- limits to which the community will go to protect its en- gral part of the community plan, including it within a vironment. These decisions may limit the options avail- broad diversity of residential areas, commercial zones able to residents in the future, but it is a small pace to and industrial parks. pay for a community free from high taxes, traffic conges- tion, crowded schools, and an unattractive, unhealthy MYTH NO. 5: If every community in the United States environment. adopted a growth management plan, eventually there Only by passing a national population stabilization would be a housing shortage. policy,ending government incentives for growth,and lim- The fear of a housing shortage as the result of the adop- icing U.S. immigration will the pressure on U.S. com- tion of growth management programs is unfounded and munities to grow ad infinitum be reduced.