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Date published: 2/14/2007
At this rate, Stafford will be overwhelmed
In Jim McMath's op-ed, he projects possible large deficits and tax increases for the next 20 years ["Stafford needs some parameters--or growth will overwhelm us," Jan. 24]. This is based on the growth that would occur in Stafford if all the dwellings allowed by current zoning were built. This so-called "by-right development" means that the developer need only meet the county zoning and subdivision rules; no further approvals from elected officials are required; and there need be no public hearings where citizen concerns are heard. How many new units would this be? The forecasted number of units is 41,000, a figure that more than doubles the existing 38,000 units. With Stafford's current population at 122,000, and assuming three people for every new dwelling, we would have a population in 2026 of 247,000. We would be overwhelmed! When one looks at independent population forecasts for Stafford, we see that the Cooper Center predicts the population to be 193,600 in 2025; the Virginia Employment Commission predicts 180,402 in 2030; and Woods and Poole Economics predicts 197,000 in 2030. Even though these forecasts show lower numbers, it is still quite daunting, and Mr. McMath's conclusions would still hold. Stafford is not required to build a house for every person who comes down the pike. Stafford planners need to reduce this number of new residences that can be built. Residential development does not pay for itself. Ray Pollock Stafford
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
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