Forcing development by arbitrary regulation distorts market
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I’d like to voice my support for commissioner Decker’s views published last week regarding density zoning in Lake County; especially as it relates to having a unified zoning plan that applies equally to all county residents. It seems pointless to impose restrictions on one property when the adjacent property violates the intent of the regulation. Better in that case to have no zoning at all in my view. But chaos is a poor plan.
One point where the commissioners could improve is their stance on “community planning” and zoning that “drives development into areas where infrastructure is in place to handle new growth.” This borders on “central planning” and crosses the line between constructive government and violation of personal property rights.
Where cities desire to encourage growth let them raise mill levies to expand city services and partner with private developers to create attractive subdivisions for annexation. If done well and there is a demand for the development, the project will succeed for all involved. Where mill levies fail and development partners are few, municipal desires are premature and need to wait for another day. Market forces are the surest form of regulation. Certainly there are many that willingly choose to avail themselves of convenient access to city amenities. However forcing (driving) development into these areas by the weight of arbitrary regulation distorts the real estate market and serves only the regulators.
As for rural development, few would support polluting the viewscape of our valley by citing high-density development amid the pastures and hayfields now extant. This does not necessarily preclude private development and measured subdivision. Hydrologists and sanitarians can set reasonable limits on development based on legitimate scientific principles that protect watersheds. Road and utility improvements that service new developments can be stipulated as developer funded prerequisites for subdivision approval. This places the burden of development costs on those that hope to profit rather than the community at large.
By this model personal property rights are respected, the community is benefited by appropriate development, and regulations are promulgated that enhance community pride. Existing property owners that want to divide property among heirs, or just sell out and retire to other climes are able to do so, all while respecting their neighbors and honoring the land.
