I used to work as a development review
planner in a rapidly-growing suburban community, and through me experiences there I
have come up with the following important advice for potential
suburban homebuyers:
If you buy a house in a rapidly-growing community, and
your house is located next to an empty 20-acre field, DO
NOT assume that said field will remain empty forever.
When complaining about development in said 20-acre field,
DO NOT whine that you “moved here from the big city
to get away from this stuff.” Obviously, you’re
not the only one moving here to escape from the big city,
and that’s why the 20-acre property is being
developed.
Similarly, if you move into a rapidly-growing community,
DO NOT complain about school overcrowding, inadequate
road capacity, relentless construction, and the like. You
made a choice as to where you were going to live, and it
just happens that thousands of people made the same
choice you did. You along with everyone else are simply
experiencing the consequences of your collective choices.
When taxes need to be raised to pay for new
infrastructure to relieve school overcrowding, traffic
problems, relentless construction and the like, DO NOT
gripe. Once again, you made a choice as to where you were
going to live, and thousands of people made the same
choice you did.
DO NOT attempt to curb school overcrowding, traffic
problems, relentless construction and the like by
demanding that city council place a moratorium on all new
development. That’s selfish and arrogant. Without new development, your
community will have a difficult time collecting the fees
and tax revenues needed to build said infrastructure.
Furthermore, there is nothing more hippocritical than new
residents of a community demanding a stop to future
residential development in said community. Did you really
think when you brought your house that you would be the
last new resident to your community and that nobody else
would be moving in after you?
If you discover that a 120,000 square foot Wal-Mart is
being built in the commercial zoning district right next
to your house, DO NOT say “I didn’t know it
could be built there when I purchased the house.” It's called due diligence: it's your responsibility to know what surrounding property
is zoned before closing on your home.
When complaining about said Wal-Mart, DO NOT say that
“the real estate agent assured us that a Wal-Mart
couldn’t be built there.” The real estate agent
is a home seller, not a zoning officer. They may be
mistaken, or they may just be lying in order to get you
to buy the house. The city, not the real estate agent, is
the legal authority. Check with the planning department.
If you buy a new house in a new subdivision that was cut
out of once-pristine forest, DO NOT call the city to have
them remove the raccoons, skunks and opossums that are
now getting into your garbage cans or taking residence in
your attic. They were displaced from their natural
habitat by the development in which you now reside, and
they are simply getting even with you.
When you go to the Planning and Zoning Commission or City
Council to argue against a proposed development, DO NOT
say lame things like “this project is all about
making money” or “all this developer cares
about is money.” That’s no argument. Of course
it’s all about the money! Land development in the
United States has always been about money. They
wouldn’t be building it if they didn’t think
they could make money off of it. Please try to come up
with a better argument.
Speaking of money, when voicing your opposition to a
proposed development, just be honest and admit that you
think the development will lower your property values.
There’s nothing wrong with looking out for your
investment, and you’ll sound more sincere than if
you use vague euphemisms such as “our neighborhood
will suffer” or “our quality of life will
decline.”
When speaking against a proposed development such as a
shopping center or a grocery store, don’t say that
the proposed location doesn’t make sense
“because there’s already a grocery store up the
street.” The developer has already hired
professionals to do a market study for him, and he has
determined that there is (or will be) enough rooftops in
the area to warrant another grocery store. Once again, he
wouldn’t be building it if he didn’t think
he’d make money.
When speaking against a proposed development, don’t
make suggestions like “why can’t a park go
there instead?” The developer’s not going to
put a park there because he can’t make money off of
it, and your city’s not going to use taxpayer money
to buy every piece of disputed property for parkland. If
you really think that said property should be a park,
then perhaps you and your fellow neighbors should pool
your money together, purchase the land from the owner,
and put a park there yourselves. Otherwise, come up with
more realistic suggestions.
Remember that it is your right as a citizen to speak against a proposed development, but also remember that the property owner has rights, too. For example, if a property owner isn't allowed to develop his or her property in an economically-viable fashion, he or she may be required to be compensated by the city for the value of the property (this is a legal term known as a taking). If you and your neighbors speak in opposition to a development but your city council approves it anyway, understand that they may not simply be ignoring you. Rather, they may be keeping themselves and the city out of legal trouble. Remember that legal fees, settlements and the like regarding land use disputes between the city and owners or developers are paid from your tax dollars.
Please think carefully
about what you're getting into before buying a new home
in a rapidly-growing community. That house you're
thinking about purchasing might look like your dream home
in the perfect neighborhood, but what will it be like
five or ten years from now, as more development occurs
and as more people move into your community? Do your
"homework" before closing on that new home.
Find out what the property surrounding your house is
zoned, what the master development and transportation
plans for your area are, what the future population
projectons for your part of town look like, what the
capacity of your neighborhood school is, et cetera. And
always remember that the only constancy in a
rapidly-growing community is change.
And this is for all you would-be developers:
If you’re trying to build something on your property
that is prohibited by the zoning ordinance, DO NOT whine
to the city planner or code enforcement officer about the
zoning ordinance being “unconstitutional” or
“un-American.” The Supreme Court has already
decided that zoning IS constitutional (see Euclid v.
Ambler), and land use regulations are just as
“American” as any other law that restricts your
personal freedom for the overall good of the people or
environment, such as speed limits or anti-litter
ordinances. Furthermore, DO NOT refer to the city
staffers enforcing the zoning code as
“communists” or “fascists” unless you
want to make yourself look really stupid.
If you’re trying to build something on your
property, but you discover that said construction
requires you to plat, build sidewalks, dedicate
easements, pay impact fees, et cetera, DO NOT whine that
you’re “just a little guy, not a big
developer.” You’re moving dirt. You’re
building something. That makes you a developer. If you
can’t afford to comply with all the building and
subdivision codes, then you can’t afford to build
it.
Futhermore, if you are required to build sidewalks, pave roadways, dig drainage ditches, lay water pipes, dedicate easements, pay impact fees, et cetera, in order to build something on your property, do not gripe or complain that the city's tax dollars should pay for such public improvements. It's not the city's place to subsidize private development, nor is it financially feasible. If you want to build it, you need to make sure it has adequate water, sewer, drainage, roadway connections, and the like.
I hope this helps. Thanks for reading.