Front Page N&O article on "SPRAWL"

Front Page N&O article on "SPRAWL":
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/sto...-9080526c.html

It asks the question of whether we are managing growth in a "Sustainable" manner, laying out fairly well the prescription of higher density, urban containment, and all the other "Samrt Growth?" mantras.

The N&O article needs to be accompanied by a read of this article:

"TAKING YOUR LAND FOR PRIVATE DEVELOPERS"

Joyce Morrison
July 30, 2004
http://www.newswithviews.com/Morrison/joyce5.htm

Cathy

In the recently passed Transportation Bill, our area allocation of the Highway revenues collected from automobile drivers has funding earmarked for trail construction for bikes and pedestrians:

* Completion of the American Tobacco Trail in Durham and Chatham Counties: $1.6 million

* Acquisition of rail corridors for bicycle and pedestrian trials (Durham): $3.6 million

* Pedestrian bike paths development (Cary): $1.6 million

* Endor Iron Furnace Greenway enhancements from Deep River to Sanford: $800,000

* Neuse River Trail construction (Johnston County): $1.6 million

* Greenways expansion and improvement project (Greenville): $1.6 million

* Rails to Trails Project (Elizabeth City): $512,000

Total of highway user fees diverted to NON highway uses like these:

One BILLION, three hundred and twelve THOUSAND dollars

...diverted from highway infrastructure to build trails and paths that will be used predominately for recreation, in spite of the claim that they will be alternative transportation modes for essential trips.
To think that these trails will be an alternative transportation network of any noticeable impact on traffic congestion is even more foolish than thinking rail transit will have any significant impact on relieving congestion for atuo drivers.

Cathy

[√ Wuptdo]

Cathy, I agree with you on this; i.e., urban spawl sucks. But until our Nation and the world address the problem of "over-population" where are all the people going to live? It is funny the N&O would also run a story about a major flu outbreak, and how the world it not ready for it. I see it as an opportunity to remove "excessive" populations, especially from the 3rd world. Instead of "breed them, and the US will feed them" being U.S. policy, it should be "If you can't feed them, don't breed them." Almost every major problem the world faces can be directly traced to world over-population. However, at this point in time, most folks just stick there head in the sand over this issue.

Morons like Bono (and his gang) and Bill Gates that think the West should give the 3rd world a "free" ride. Screw that, you want a "free" ride, then fine, start sterlizating your country's youth (both male and females). Oh, we can also lay some of the blame on the last and current Pope and their outdated concepts of birth control. Also, the Catholic Church could pay off the entire 3rd world debt in an instant, but instead, they expect me (U.S. taxpayer) to do it.

Wuptdo

Wup.

I don't think "urban sprawl sucks" and I am not saying that. You must not be reading what I am posting.

"Suburban Sprawl" is low density single family home neighborhoods. I like that and that is where I live. I think that choice should be available to anyone.
Reigning in "sprawl" removes that choice for many.

'No comment' on your other solutions for the world we live in.

Cathy

[√ StanN]

I LOVE sprawl.

I LOVE spending more and more of our disposable income on gasoline and cars.

I LOVE sending more and more American dollars for oil to the Arab world and to politically unstable regimes such as Venezuela, Indonesia and Russia.

I LOVE the fact that we now import almost 60% of our oil from overseas compared to less than 40% a few decades ago - and are now more and more dependent on those exporting countries than ever before.

I LOVE the fact that as we sprawl, the cost of the road network increases or the level of service goes down. Lets applaud sprawl for the congestion on the roads.

I LOVE the fact that those living in the outer edges of our cities are responsible for the rising cost of the road network yet do not bear their fair share of such costs.

I LOVE the fact that the more we sprawl outward the more we pollute our air - and simply adore the resultant health impact on children and the elderly.

I LOVE the fact that sprawl is rapidly consuming our farmlands and the beauty of wooded areas.

I LOVE sprawl - it is the best way and the only way.

stann

[√ StanN]

[√ Brent]

I have to say, I find nothing to disagree with on that!

Seriously, the N&O article touts the "success" of "higher density" :P The maps that show the eventual boundaries of the major municipalities in Wake County (today versues future) are quite enlightening.

[√ bobo]

Cathy wrote:

"Suburban Sprawl" is low density single family home neighborhoods. I like that and that is where I live. I think that choice should be available to anyone.
Reigning in "sprawl" removes that choice for many.

What about the choice of those that live in rural areas and those that farm. Is it fair for "sprawl" to reach out and displace those people or disrupt their life? A lot of people would probably be surprised at the amount of quality agricultural lands that are destroyed every year due to "sprawl." What some people fail to understand is, there are those that have no desire to have a putt-putt course, art center, doggy park , etc. a couple blocks from their home (or even a couple miles). I know those of you that live in the city may find that hard to believe, but it's true.

Wuptdo's comment about the growing population is a problem that isn't easily answered, but it is quickly becoming a situation in the U.S. that experts better start considering, especially since our government is reluctant to enforce illegal immigaration laws. Personally, I'm against Wake County's future plans of including every acre in the county into a muncipality. Before it's over, there won't be one farm left in the county! Many of these farms have been in individual families for years and it's not right for local government to plan their extinction in advance, especially for the sole purpose of increasing the county's tax base.

[√ Anonymous]

Originally Posted by bobo

What about the choice of those that live in rural areas and those that farm. Is it fair for "sprawl" to reach out and displace those people or disrupt their life? A lot of people would probably be surprised at the amount of quality agricultural lands that are destroyed every year due to "sprawl." What some people fail to understand is, there are those that have no desire to have a putt-putt course, art center, doggy park , etc. a couple blocks from their home (or even a couple miles). I know those of you that live in the city may find that hard to believe, but it's true.

I couldn't agree more. I choose to live without the amenities of a city--and don't even start with me about roads. I was quite happy living on my gravel road if it meant less traffic. For some reason, DOT felt compelled to pave it, although it is a dead end road going nowhere. Anyway, the thoroughfares around my house are used just as much by folks in Holly Springs and Fuquay seeking alternate routes to RTP as they are by us "locals." So there's the by-product of sprawl. Meanwhile, those of us in low density areas get to host unpleasant facilities, like the WWTF, that will facilitate more sprawl. I am perfectly happy with my well and septic system that I paid for and pay yearly to maintain. It will be my problem if something goes wrong with it, and I will not be asking for any nearby town to fix my problem.

I was amazed a couple of weeks ago by a post to the "Quality of life" question. The writer went on and on about how many restaurants and grocery stores she now had to choose from. I felt a little sad that that was her measure of QOL. I'm not making a judgment--it just made me realize how disparate our ideas can be, and how difficult it is to understand each other. I do not need to, nor do I, go to the grocery store more than once a week--and I have several children to feed. I do not eat dinner out more than a handful of times each year--and I am happy with that. I am content to plan my trips in and out of town to coincide with my trips to and from work. I've put more miles on my car in the last two months trying to fight the WWTF than in the six months prior! My QOL is measured by the number of frogs I find on a walk with my kids, or by the abundance of my garden--you get the picture. And my idea of QOL is every bit as vaild as hers. What kills me is the people who move to these developments in the "country" and then complain because they are so far from everything. Then, look out, here comes development, and the country ain't country anymore.

[√ Wuptdo]

This is the dream of the Home Builders Associations and the "powers that be" in Wake County.

Our Future in 20 Years

Downtown Cary in 2025

View the first picture from Jorden Lake's far shore, facing Wake County. The first tall buildings are Apex, and the buildings on the hill are Cary's Southern Border. As we know, Cary will be that shining light "on top of the hill!" Also, you will notice all the green space that was payed for by sewage fees! On the second picture, the building in the middle will be "Ashworth Towers.' This is how Jeff Ulma and all his friends see the future! Is this what you all want?

Wuptdo