[EQAB-list] Economic Benefits of Open Space

[Fred L Stephens]

Attached is a 2 page write-up about a more formal research by a 
UNC-Chapel Hill graduate student on the value of homes close to open 
spaces (forests, farm, parks, vacant land, public open spaces, and 
golf courses). This article because it is one of the first I found, 
the write-up is brief, and it goes straight to the subject of 
property tax benefits.

One need not work hard to find similar evidence from other areas 
around the country. Simply "google" these key words "economic 
benefits of open space" or "economic benefits of green space" and you 
will be overwhelmed with articles and research.

In many successful municipalities the trade off for clear-cutting for 
housing is the developer sets aside acres for parks, conservation 
easements, and schools. After discussion with several builders and 
developers I am clear that the subject of clear-cutting is not clear 
or simple. Much depends on the existing stock of trees on the land, 
the slope, the target house prices, etc.

It will be my opinion that we want to support clear-cutting in some 
cases and offset the effect with dedicated open space adjacent to the 
development, provided by the developer. However, I will give little 
to no support for clear cutting on ridges and slopes.

Furthermore, Oak Ridge no longer needs more residential lots. The 
city has too many lots already in progress. More lots will undermine 
the existing developments. As one who has watched the boom and bust 
of Raleigh and Chapel Hill I have seen the negative impact of 
developments that sit idle too long.

Fred L Stephens
email: freds7 at dancingcreek.com   
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: OpenSpaceWakeCnty.pdf
Type: application/octet-stream
Size: 253753 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : http://www.discoveret.org/pipermail/eqab-list/attachments/20090104/51feeb54/OpenSpaceWakeCnty-0001.obj