Urban Sprawl Myths

Urban sprawl is a contagious affliction that's spreading across America. Its spread is fueled by myths and misinformation. The list of reasons that persuade small towns to trade real community planning for big box business is long and economically misguided.

Myth 1: Growth provides needed tax revenues.
Truth: Urban growth rarely pays its own way.
Development requires water, sewage treatment, roads and road maintenance and increases demand on public services including the police force, fire protection and garbage removal. Tax revenue from new commerce almost never cover the new costs of operation. In fact, property taxes are likely to increase. The general rule of thumb is the bigger the town, the higher the taxes.

Myth 2: We have to grow to provide jobs.
Truth: New jobs rarely go to locals.
There is no difference in employment rates between the 25 fastest growing cities in the U.S. and the 25 slowest growing. Urban sprawl creates more jobs, buts attracts more people who require more jobs. With them come more cars, more school age children and more demands on local infrastructure.

Myth 3: Business growth creates good jobs.
Truth: Quantity does not equal quality.
A U.S. Chamber of Commerce study shows that states with the best business ratings and climates have lower growth in per capita incomes. Translation, slower more stable growth keeps good business climates humming because resources are invested in existing businesses rather than new, lower paying jobs.

Myth 4: Limiting growth leads to housing price increase.
Truth: Growth makes housing unaffordable.
Income level is the most important factor in housing affordability, not the cost of homes. Development that produces mostly low-paying retail jobs makes home prices relatively higher. A study of 14 California cities showed no difference in average home prices between cities with strong growth controls and cities with none. Influx of people to areas with new development increases demand for more housing and results in housing price increases.

Myth 5: Environmental protection is bad for the economy.
Truth: Good environmental standards boost the economy.
A study by Bank of America compared the economies of states with high environmental standards and those with weak regulations. The economies of states with stronger environmental standards grew consistently faster than those with low environmental standards. Example: Louisiana ranks 50th for environmental standards and economy prosperity. Vermont ranks 3rd in economic prosperity and 1st in environmental standards. Prosperity and environmental health rise and fall together.

Myth 6: Growth is inevitable.
Truth: Resource limits are real.
Growth happens because municipalities invite it despite the strain it will eventually bring to local economic and environmental resources. Planning and zoning, development and economic committees are often seduced by the promises of growth without considering real environmental limits and the real costs to the community.

Myth 7: Vacant land is a waste of space.
Truth: Open land pays more taxes than it costs in services.
Not only does open land clean the air, it also absorbs floods, recharges aquifers for drinking water, creates a wildlife buffer and increases property values. Open land doesn't fill schools, require garbage services, demand electricity supply, or need road maintenance. Open land is the tax contributing, no complaints neighbor.

Myth 8: Beauty has no place in economic policy.
Truth: Beauty can translate directly into dollars.
In real estate terms: location, location, location. No real estate advertisement worth printing ever stated "views of your neighbor's air conditioning units" or "bordered by beautiful Borders' back wall." Natural surroundings increase property values by tens of thousands of dollars because there is perceived value in the quality of life.

Myth 9: People aren't concerned with environmental protection.
Truth: Majority of people in the U.S. support environmental protection.
Polls and surveys across the nation prove that people value the environment. On average, from state to state, 70 % of people living in the U.S. place environmental quality a higher priority than further economic growth.

Myth 10: Environmentalists have a special interest agenda.
Truth: So do developers.
A citizen that fights on behalf of public interest has less to gain financially than a developer who will directly profit from a project. It's true, environmentalists are special interest: the long-term interests of a community and the well-being of its residents.