A six-month-old Prince George’s County law that makes new home construction contingent on ample fire and police service has essentially shut down the pipeline of new projects across the county, planning officials say.
This is a very interesting article in today’s Washington Post, particularly when looked at from a local perspective. I am surprised that the anti-growth (no longer available) activists (archived: 2010) have not taken this position before. On its face the argument seems logical – if you want to build, you have to pay to ensure adequate emergency services. Builders and developers would surely pass the costs on to the purchasers, but is this not the way the market works?
One Democrat says that “It would not hire more police officers or pay to get more firetrucks,” Hendershot said. “All it would do, which it has done, is shut off development activity, which has the possibility to generate revenue to hire more police officers and get more firetrucks.”
Interested in Learning More?
I have been been representing buyers and sellers in Charlottesville, Albemarle, and Central Virginia since 2001. Get local insight born of experience.
Dig Deeper
FLUM – Charlottesville’s Future Land Use Map (2021)
I'm not really sure how this post is going to turn out. I've been trying to make sense of the Charlottesville Future Land Use Map. I need to understand because I live in the County that surrounds the City of Charlottesville, and as if not…
Growing Rio Road and Biscuit Run
Two big Albemarle County news items with respect to the use of the land, and local human settlement patterns, trails and traffic. Albemarle County’s blueprint for a walkable, urban destination at the Rio Road and U.S. 29 intersection has been approved. This is going to massively…
UVA Re-Imagining 29 North Research Park AND Ivy Road Corridor
Ruth Severn at the DP: A master plan, drafted in June, shows the park expanding from three brick office buildings to a 500-acre “innovation district” along U.S. 29 from Airport Road to the Rivanna River, with residential development, a “research Grounds” and a science…
10th & Page in Charlottesville – Historical Context
This is a rare must-read. Last week's C-Ville had a remarkable story about the 10th & Page neighborhood. Take the time. Read the whole thing. Sharon Jones’ childhood home no longer exists. It was in an area of Charlottesville called Gospel Hill, which also no…