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revenue paid by each sector as a guide to distributing revenue and dialogue beyond the sax questions to consider viable economic
<br /> expenditures in cases where the sources were unclear.For=-n development rather titan growth for the salve of growth."
<br /> 74.5 percent of property tax revenue in Agawam is from residential The report alsoµems that,although commercial and industrial
<br /> 15.6 from commercial,8.2 percent from industrial,and 1.7 sectors were found to onset residential deficits,these sectors may
<br /> cent from farm and open land.Therefore a revenue like"free not always oe"pure revenue generators."A study by the Vermont
<br /> cash,"whit^,consisted of leftover income from a previous year,was league of Cities and Towns, Tne 1 ax Baas and rhr Tar Bill• 7az
<br /> divided up so the 74.5 percent was aliocated to the residential ImpLarionr,_rDevelopmenr(1990),showed that property taxes
<br /> sector, 15.6 percent to commercial,and so on for industrial and were highest in towns with the most commercial and industrial
<br /> open lands. development.That study's authors explain that commercial and
<br /> industrial development spurs residential development,which in
<br /> -Findings rum drives up demand for public services.Those findings echo a
<br /> The researchers found that farm and open lands"proved to be similar,although controversial,study done in DuPage County,
<br /> respectable contributors to town income,and economical to serve Illinois,in 1991 (see Pub&Invertmem,September 1991).
<br /> on a net basis."In fact,these lands were the least expensive to serve. The AFT report concludes with a discussion of the problems
<br /> In Gill,for example, 12.2 percent of the town's total revenues came and opportunities of farmland preservation in the Pioneer Valley.
<br /> from farm and open land,but only five percent of the town's Sans Freedgood,"The real issue is not whether to develop,but
<br /> expenses were devoted to serving these areas.The findings were where and how and when to develop."Given that reality,
<br /> similar in Deerfield,x,here 4.3 percent of total revenues were "communities need m decide what they want to be like in the
<br /> artributabic to farm and open lands,while just 1.4 percent of future and manage the pattern of development to achieve their
<br /> expenditures went tc service in these areas.Agawam followed the goals."
<br /> same pattern. Currently,most new development occurs on farmland because
<br /> On the other hand,the study revealed that the cost of providing these properties are already cleared,flat,and drained.To counteract
<br /> services to residential area consistently exceeded the income raised this,communities can adopt zoning and land-use controls that
<br /> by that sector in all three towns.In Ag %,am,the residential sector provide incentives to protect productive farm land.This could
<br /> accounted for 74.5 percent of property tax revenues and 81 percent include raising funds to purchase development rights,supporting
<br /> of all revenues.But it required 91 percent of expenditures.In agricultural enterprise zones,and adopting subdivision controls
<br /> Deerfield,residential revenues comprised 71.4 percent of the town's with density bonuses for clustered development.The report
<br /> total income,but 88.9 percent of total expenses.And in Gill,69.9 acknowledges that most small towns and rural communities lack
<br /> percent of revenues came from the residential sector,but 86.6 the financial resources to do comprehensive planning.This problem
<br /> percent of service costs went to residential areas. could hamper their ability to implement changes in zoning and
<br /> In dollar-for-dollar terms,Deerfield spent S 1.15 for services Iand-use policies.
<br /> residential areas for every dollar generated in that senor.The Finally,communities must begin to view farmland protection
<br /> enuelservice ratio for residential services vans similar in the as an investment in rural k&stnucturc and an dement of local
<br /> other towns.In contrast,public services for farm and open land in economic development."In the 1980s in Massachusetts,farms and
<br /> Deerfield cost 38 cents on the dollar.The aggregate ratios for the related businesses accounted for S16 billion of the$123 billion state
<br /> three towns x-as S 1.12 spent on public services for every dollar economy.Food processing plants alone generated$3.5 billion in
<br /> raised by residential uses,compared with 33 cents in service costs sales.The report encourages towns to evaluate the economic
<br /> for every dollar generated by farm and open lands. benefits and amenities that farm and open lands provide,beyond
<br /> the property tax contributions revealed in a COCS study.With
<br /> What it all means solid evidence that agriculture can be an economic development
<br /> The findings of the study are important to local officials,planners, engine,town leaden an gain support for financial incentives for
<br /> and citizens of the Pioneer Valley for several reasons.The region agriculture-based businesses,including grower cooperatives,
<br /> experienced unprecedented growth in the 1980s,which fueled a improved roadside stand facilities,and new processing plants.
<br /> huge increase in property values.The majority of this development
<br /> k•as low-density residential sprawl.Although the higher property
<br /> valuations resulted in higher assessments,the increased revenues
<br /> could nor cover the increased cost of providing public services to Glendale Makes
<br /> newly developed areas. Industrial Location
<br /> In contrast,the report points out that although farm and open SIMPLE
<br /> lands may have nor raised considerable revenue,they were not a
<br /> drain on the towns'resourcm Freedgood says this parrcm was so Glendale,Arizona,a northwest suburb of Phoenix,has come up
<br /> consistent among each COCS study that it has led her"to question with a unique way to lure industry.Glendale's economic
<br /> some traditional assumptions,like what is meant by'highest and development department,in conjunction with the city's fire,
<br /> best use.'It's a mistake to view prime farmland as open space just infrastructure,planning and zoning departments,local archireas,
<br /> waiting around to be developed."She believes chat these findings and construction professionals,has developed a generic building
<br /> may help towns resist pressure to develop simply to increase the specification and site plan called SIMPLE—Strategic Industrial
<br /> tax base,especially if the bulk of the development is residential. Muter Plan and Landscape Encerprise
<br /> Valley residents are also concerned about protecting the rural SIMPLE is an adaptable 50,000-squ2re-foot building,with
<br /> aracter of the region and the effect rapid development has had on appropriate parking and landscaping.The building is designed for
<br /> eir quality of life.Increased traffic congestion,pollution,noise, 80 percent plant operations and 20 percent office space and it u
<br /> and crime are ail probable byproducts when a region becomes more tailored to fit in any of Glendale's three industrial parks.
<br /> urban.Frecdgood says a COCS study can"extend the community The major selling point of the SIMPLE program is that it
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