Say 'No' to Density Allocation plan

Editor,

The Lake County Commissioner has presented to the public a plan that would create zoning for all of Lake County. The plan is called a Density Allocation Map and regulations. It has long reaching implications that affect everyone who owns — or rents with the hope of someday owning — property in Lake County.

The County cites many reasons for the Density Plan. For example, they believe the plan will preserve agricultural land, promote wildlife habitat, lessen congestion on the streets, avoid undue concentration of population, etc. Nothing in their presentation addresses the economic impacts that passage of the plan will have on land values, tax base, affordable housing or opportunity.

I would ask that instead of Density Allocation, the commissioners look to a plan that would ensure an expanding tax base and not pass any regulations that would hinder its growth.

Small tracts generate several times more annual tax revenue than larger tracts. If we continue to lock up land by further restrictions, who is going to pay future tax bills?

As presented, I believe the Density Allocation Map will jeopardize the growth of taxable properties, especially in tax sensitive areas like School District No. 30. The premise that subdivisions promote greater loads on tax-funded services is not supportable. Lake County schools report declining enrollments.

Fire departments are better equipped than at anytime in County history. Funds for road maintenance generally are supplied by gas taxes … road upgrades … are mostly paid for by establishing Rural Improvement Districts.

As to the cost of County Human Services, most purchasers of subdivided lands are contributors, as opposed to consumers, of services. Subdivisions are economy driven. History has shown purchasers of moderately priced developments are usually families relocating from urban to rural areas.

This migration of families to rural subdivision areas opens up city housing that generally is affordable to young families, low income individuals or retired people on fixed incomes. Tampering with the ability to create affordable subdivisions will affect the opportunity for moderate income people to own their own homes.

Density Allocation affects all Lake County citizens. The right of ownership, or even the pursuit of ownership, is a constitutional guarantee. I urge all citizens of Lake County to contact the county commissioners and say "No" to Density Allocation.

Joe Brooks

Ronan