Post by Dr.Ken Sokolowski on Jul 24, 2005 8:22:56 GMT -5
When the Democrats win re-election in November (after the State Legislature (probably in a Special Session) clarifies and codifies the nature and scope of eminent domain for our fair state), they will move on their promise to make a significant effort to re/develop Wethersfield (starting with private business designated properties) in order to grow the grand list and increase tax revenues.
Before both of these happen, we the empowering public of Wethersfield have the opportunity and obligation to engage our elected leaders in a discussion (at the Council level and at the level of Boards and Commissions - current and coming) about what forms of preservation, development and "progress" we want in Wethersfield.
In today's Hartford Courant / Place section, there was an important article about the difference between re/development and progress and the risks and trade-offs which confusion the two might entail. The article was written by a resident of Sprague, CT (yeah, I know, I couldn't recall having heard of it recently either). I have edited it to remove those sections which seem to speak to Sprague issues, sensitivities and facts, so that we would read it here with, instead, Wethersfield in mind.
Before both of these happen, we the empowering public of Wethersfield have the opportunity and obligation to engage our elected leaders in a discussion (at the Council level and at the level of Boards and Commissions - current and coming) about what forms of preservation, development and "progress" we want in Wethersfield.
In today's Hartford Courant / Place section, there was an important article about the difference between re/development and progress and the risks and trade-offs which confusion the two might entail. The article was written by a resident of Sprague, CT (yeah, I know, I couldn't recall having heard of it recently either). I have edited it to remove those sections which seem to speak to Sprague issues, sensitivities and facts, so that we would read it here with, instead, Wethersfield in mind.
courant.com
In Sprague, Adding Industry Would Lower Taxes - But At What Cost In The Long Run?
By GLENN ALAN CHENEY
July 24 2005
.....The issue is development - or, better defined, development vs. progress.
There's a difference. Development tends to mean more building and business. Progress, on the other hand, means improvement.
Development rarely results in progress. Rare is the town that's glad it has more industry, more traffic, more houses. Equally rare is the resident who says, "Life was so much worse in the old days." No one yearns for asphalt over fields.
Sometimes towns have no choice but to accept development. Landowners are allowed to sell their land to developers, and rightfully so. Zoning regulations allow commerce and industry. Few people are glad to see subdivisions and strip malls, but they can't do much about them.
Sometimes, however, towns have a choice. They can adjust zoning. They can buy undeveloped land to preserve as open space. They can opt for a forest instead of a factory.
But factories offer something forests don't: taxes. Development always dangles the temptation of revenue.
But forests offer something factories don't: property value. A factory may offset taxes a bit, but it devastates the value of people's biggest investment: their property.
The tax savings of industrial development may measure a few hundred dollars a year for each taxpayer, but the loss in property values measures in the thousands. Typically it takes decades of tax savings to make up for the loss in property value.
.....And they knew more industry wouldn't work. Its assets would depreciate, and again, residential taxes would have to make up for it. It's a disastrous treadmill that eats open space and chips away property values and the quality of life. It happens every time, all the time, everywhere.
.....Economic Development Commission should concern itself with the development of property value and progress in the quality of life.
.....Like most small towns, Sprague could use a little development, but only if it represents progress. .....But progress must also include preservation: the protection of the forests, fields, farms.....
Copyright 2005, Hartford Courant
Development Isn't Progress
In Sprague, Adding Industry Would Lower Taxes - But At What Cost In The Long Run?
By GLENN ALAN CHENEY
July 24 2005
.....The issue is development - or, better defined, development vs. progress.
There's a difference. Development tends to mean more building and business. Progress, on the other hand, means improvement.
Development rarely results in progress. Rare is the town that's glad it has more industry, more traffic, more houses. Equally rare is the resident who says, "Life was so much worse in the old days." No one yearns for asphalt over fields.
Sometimes towns have no choice but to accept development. Landowners are allowed to sell their land to developers, and rightfully so. Zoning regulations allow commerce and industry. Few people are glad to see subdivisions and strip malls, but they can't do much about them.
Sometimes, however, towns have a choice. They can adjust zoning. They can buy undeveloped land to preserve as open space. They can opt for a forest instead of a factory.
But factories offer something forests don't: taxes. Development always dangles the temptation of revenue.
But forests offer something factories don't: property value. A factory may offset taxes a bit, but it devastates the value of people's biggest investment: their property.
The tax savings of industrial development may measure a few hundred dollars a year for each taxpayer, but the loss in property values measures in the thousands. Typically it takes decades of tax savings to make up for the loss in property value.
.....And they knew more industry wouldn't work. Its assets would depreciate, and again, residential taxes would have to make up for it. It's a disastrous treadmill that eats open space and chips away property values and the quality of life. It happens every time, all the time, everywhere.
.....Economic Development Commission should concern itself with the development of property value and progress in the quality of life.
.....Like most small towns, Sprague could use a little development, but only if it represents progress. .....But progress must also include preservation: the protection of the forests, fields, farms.....
Copyright 2005, Hartford Courant
