Smart growth is a threat to freedom of choice, private property rights, mobility, and local governance. Although smartgrowth policies seem drastic, they are really a natural extension of the zoning laws that cities have adopted since the 1920s. Those zoning laws have been made increasingly restrictive over the years, and smart growth will make them even more prescriptive. Smart growth is clearly an example of creeping social regulation, if not creeping socialism.
Is New Urbanism Creeping Socialism?
--RANDALL O'TOOLE, Thoreau Institute
Thank you for all the information; but as I've said several times, I both understand and OPPOSE smart growth. Mr. O'Toole, whom you quote, wrote an article saying virtually the same thing I am saying. http://www.ti.org/neotrad.html
I'm not convinced he has come up with workable solutions, but at least he sees government planning is and has been the problem for most of the past century.
Contrary to what you say, a spokesperson for a large developer said in a meeting that I attended that demand for condos in California is very high. But she said that developers are not willing to take the risk because current law allows the developer to be sued twenty or thirty years later. In addition, I've had real estate agents tell me that townhomes near where I live are always snapped up (even in severely depressed markets and even though it's not a particularly nice area). If I had the time, I would be interested in running the numbers on the prices per square foot people are willing to pay for condos and townhomes compared to single family homes. I know I've been shocked by the prices of the condos and townhomes in my area when compared to the homes. Such high prices would suggest pretty serious demand.
The current structure of municipal funding and zoning and regulation favor the suburban tract development so that is what we keep getting more of.
Here's an example of the demand (and price) for condos.
"Indeed, between the third quarter of 2002 and the third quarter of 2003, condominium prices rose a whopping 16.6% to a median price of $167,200, according to the National Association of Realtors. Single-family home prices rose 10.1% over that period, by NAR's estimation, and some economists believe the appreciation rate of single-family homes was even lower. The median price of a single-family home was $177,000, only modestly higher than the median price for a condo."
Source: http://www.realestatejournal.com/columnists/housetalk/20031219-barta.html
An interesting article that goes into depth on these issues:
"Why Sprawl Is a Conservative Issue"
by Michael Lewyn
Source: Part 1 -- http://verbatim.rutgers.edu/lewyn/archives/000155.html
Part 2 -- http://verbatim.rutgers.edu/lewyn/archives/000156.html
This is the first I have heard of the man, but I will have to learn more about him. He sees many of the same issues I do with the current debate on growth and planning.