Some developers are swine.

[paulsharvey]

It's not clear cut to me at all. My county's zoning master plan specifically calls out that rural and agricultural land are of great benefit to the community as a whole and a lot of people agree.

Which brings in revenue? That's how you determine Value, and vacant farm land is doing nothing for anyone.

So, lets say we have 72 acres of low grade ag land; its likely taxed at 20 mils at $10k per acre. Vs, 72 homes, at 20 mils at $300k per home. One clearly wins on tax revenue.

Yes, before someone points it out; 72 homes has 72 trash bins, 50 kids to go to school; about 650 vehicle trips per day; ect. But you also are instantly bring in $504,000 in impact fees; probably about $1M in permitting fees; to off set the impact to schools/transportation.

On wells and septic tanks; county may force them to extend existing mains, add a lift station, ect. Or possibly install a small package water treatment plant.

If those are concerns; speak intelligently on those items. You mention properties butting up to you; not unreasonable to speak about a 20-40 ft landscape buffer. Vehicle trips; maybe the community upgrades the road.

The county commission is more likely to act on those kind of things than blanket "not in my back yard" type stuff.

 

[paulsharvey]

Dont get me wrong, I understand the frustration, but development makes the world go around. I really would attend the rezoning meetings, and make realistic, informed, requests to mitigate the worst of your worries. You likely will get some of it, and after constructed, its just a bunch of houses, it won't really be the end of the world.

 

[kenmbz]

Dont get me wrong, I understand the frustration, but development makes the world go around. I really would attend the rezoning meetings, and make realistic, informed, requests to mitigate the worst of your worries. You likely will get some of it, and after constructed, its just a bunch of houses, it won't really be the end of the world.

until is becomes apartment and condos with 50 kids in the space of a few houses paying a fraction of the tax a house pays.
It's what happened in my old town and they are still building, by the 100's
They promised this would lower taxes, but the taxes go up a lot each year, on the houses.

My taxes were going up $1000/year at that point.

 

[1 Old Man]

In many areas communities depend on the aquifer for
irrigation, manufacturing, municipal water etc
Uncontrolled development can and is detrimental to natures
ability to replenish many aquifers. Open land and open spaces
are necessary. More development, more wells drilled, more
surface contamination ..... reduced aquifer levels, reduced water quality.

As stated by EscapedSuburbia, agricultural and rural lands are of great benefit....

 

[deezler]

It's not clear cut to me at all. My county's zoning master plan specifically calls out that rural and agricultural land are of great benefit to the community as a whole and a lot of people agree.

Same in my township in Michigan, with some urban areas but majority rural landscape. We've preserved thousands of acres of farmland and natural areas and prevented many developments.

 

[EscapedSuburbia]

Which brings in revenue? That's how you determine Value, and vacant farm land is doing nothing for anyone.

Revenue is your definition of value. It's not everyone's. And the farm land doesn't have to sit vacant just because there's a death and the heirs don't want to farm. In my area that land is snatched up by other farmers or by seed companies.

 

[paulsharvey]

Zoning maps often have a Current, and Future zoning class. Also, zoning is designed to be changed when it benefits the community, and as patterns/times/demands change. It's not written in stone.

The rezoning meetings are designed to bring local input, before they vote on it. Likely if they are even scheduling a rezoning meeting, they have atleast a weak commitment from the BoCC to consider the rezoning.

Every rezoning meeting has some raving enviro nuts, that speak against everything, every time, anywhere in the county. Those people have a right to be heard, but they are generally ignored too. Try to set yourself apart from them. Most commissioners are fairly normal folks, but they are also generally leaders in community, business men, developers, ect. So, they are likely by default somewhat pro development, But they also can absolutely include requirements as a condition of rezoning to address local people affected by the rezoning. Thats you. It costs the commission nothing to require more buffers, roadway improvement, ect; as long as it doesn't make the development unfeasable. The developer needs to make money, and on 72 homes; they probably can spend a couple million to keep people happy, but not $15m.

 

[kenmbz]

Revenue is your definition of value. It's not everyone's. And the farm land doesn't have to sit vacant just because there's a death and the heirs don't want to farm. In my area that land is snatched up by other farmers or by seed companies.

Not as much farming around here as there used to be, but plenty of fields get leased , so many fields are hay/corn/soybeans around us. Love to see the growth.

 

[paulsharvey]

Also, as an important note; just because it has 72 home lots; does Not mean it magically has 72 homes. In rural areas, its not uncommon for a new subdivision to slowly build out over the coarse of 5-10 years. It may be phased, but thats a pretty small development, so I would expect them to do all the roads, water/sewer, storm water management and clearing in a single phase. Then, depending on the developer, either sell the lots off to a builder, to future home owners, investors, or possibly spec build the homes themselves. It is highly unlikely they will start work on 72 homes in a single year, but your area may just have that much demand?

 

[sandman2234]

I haven't read the whole post, but are hog farms or chicken houses allowed on your property? Might be a way to get the builder to move some of the houses, if you build your pens on your property line. Especially if you invest in a fan system to keep the critters cool, and it happens to blow the wrong way?
I am not against developments but I don't want them shoved down my throat! We had a 20 home development built up against my property in Switzerland Florida and it didn't bother me a bit.
David from jax