Plan growth, not sprawl
I noted with some dismay the letter from Arlene Schmitt (5/9/08) concerning TND plans in York Township. Although there may be aspects of that particular development that may need further revision, her letter sounded more like NIMBY (not in my backyard) at the expense of the community at large.
Let me begin by saying that there is absolutely no evidence to suggest, as Ms. Schmitt does, that a TND would have a negative impact on property values. All indications are that the exact opposite is true. The aesthetic qualities required of a TND make them very attractive places to live.
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I think we can assume that since York County has been growing rapidly over the past decade or two, it probably will continue to do so. I do not think that building a wall along the Mason Dixon is realistic and, therefore, Marylanders will continue to move north. Our current economic conditions have clearly slowed that growth but that will only be temporary. A significant amount of our growth also comes from other regions of Pennsylvania, not just from our south. That’s the price we pay for having a healthier local economy than many other areas.
The real question, therefore, is HOW we grow. If local municipalities continue to require larger building lots, that growth will continue to spread out and absorb more open space and farmland. That has been characterized in the past as “sprawl.” On the other hand, we can provide a developer with the option of concentrating growth on smaller parcels in exchange for open space. Although there are lots of details, the concept is just that simple.
How we grow has a huge impact on our quality of life. Leaders of this community need to evaluate all the tools, including areas of higher density, to help preserve what we cherish. It is not responsible or realistic to always suggest that some other location is better than the one near you.
Stephen Snell, RCE
Executive Officer
REALTORS Association of York & Adams Counties
If the TND in question actually WAS a real TND, there would be less complaint. Instead, it is a dumbed-down York County version of one, and it is just "concentrated sprawl."
A real TND has a balance of open space, parks, schools, businesses and housing for a wide variety of income groups, all within a reasonable walking distance, and connected responsibly to mass transit and adequate surrounding infrastructure.
TND's done correctly are wonderful. Anything else is just more paving, vinyl-clad future slum, and money in the pockets of hit-and-run developers.