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Debate .0 s antiD - spraw really ' growth? As Durham mulls mote public policy that supports a balance between economic plan, groups differ growth, environment and pro- tects the rights ands interests of on effects on poor property owners. BY VIRGINIA BRIDGES The . study examined what would happen to housing costs if vbridges@heraldsun.com; 419-6648 Portland's policies were applied Imagine Durham as bread and nationwide. housing growth as peanut butter. It found more than 1 million If you spread the peanut butter disadvantaged families — across the bread in one smooth 260,000 of them minority fami- stroke that would be suburban lies — would have been unable to sprawl, said Frank Duke, direc- buy homes because 4the cost of for for the City/County Planning the average home would have Department, trying to put the risen $7,000 . The study found the complicated issues of population cost of renting would have risen growth, the environment and 6 percent: anti-sprawl efforts into layman's Instead of restricting growth, terms . 4the anti-sprawl policies caused But with anti-sprawl ordi- housing prices m restricted areas nances or what is often called to rise and people who could not " smart growth" the peanut but- afford the costs to move, ter is spread out in chunks, where Ahnasey said. . - sensitive areas and . different 6 But anti-sprawl efforts are community resources are pro- more than site restrictions, said tected, Duke said. Cara Crisler"; executive director Currently, Durham has a tra& of the N. C . i Smart Growth tional land-use plan . It treats all Alliance, which is based in Carr- areas the same and ends up boro . The center's report was a encouraging suburban sprawl, misrepresentation about what Duke said. "smart growth ' is, she said: . Durham is in the process of Duke, who wasn't familiar. with defining a unified development the report or the organisation, ordinance to guide growth and said "any zoning and land devel= deter sprawl, Duke said. The plan opment regulation that is : not would prohibit housing develop- approached with sensitivity is ments in environmentally sensi- tive areas add promote cluster going to adversely affect afford- developments where ' housing able housing. " units are grouped together so Durham's current ordinances that other areas can remain Promote segregation, said Duke, undeveloped who added that he's working to But smart growth has its create anti-sprawl policies that downside, said David Almasey of will not inhibit growth but the National Center for Public instead will recognize that differ- Policy and Research. ent regulations are needed to pro- A recent report commissioned tect distinct areas . by the center claims that anti- Durham County Commission- growth policies hurt the poor and er Joe Bowser, who was recently minorities by increasing housing elected the president of the costs and - decreasing housing Durham chapter of the NAACP, options. The center is a Washing- said the civil rights organization ton-based conservative founds- hasn't taken a position on "smart tion that researches public poli- growth" but plans to talk about it cy, in the future. The study, . "Smart Growth and Bowser questioned whether Its Effects on Housing Markets : " smart growth" really "ends up The New Segregation," exam- pitting community against home- med restricted growth policies in builders " by raising housing Portland, Ore., said Almasey, who costs . He said it would be more spoke at a Triangle Community appropriate - to link lack of home Coalition luncheon this week. ownership with lack of job-train- The Triangle Community Coali- ing opportunities rather . than tion's stated mission is to pro- anti-sprawl efforts.