Debunking the Objections to Smart Growth and Traditional Neighborhood Developments (TND’s)

I found a recent online editorial in the Lancaster New Era/Intelligencer Journal by Jeff Hawkes on “Smart Growth” very interesting.  Hawkes was writing about a workshop that he had attended recently that expounded on the virtues of “Smart Growth” and that Lancaster County needs to embrace this concept as it moves into the 21st century.  Overall I thought the piece was well-written and made a number of good points.  What caused me to sit down in front of my laptop and fire off a blog post was actually what was written after his editorial in the “Comments” section.

. . . and I quote:

“Smart Growth is dense development in townships that are not compensated by other townships for the havoc caused by traffic snarls, added services, and infrastructure needs, not to mention higher school taxes.”

. . . and then there was this little gem:

“ . . . don’t call it “Smart Growth”.  There is nothing “smart” about it, except for the folks to stand to profit off of the development. Its delusional to think that this type of development is in anyway “smart” in the long run, or saving farmland.  Continued development of this nature will bring the infrastructure of the county to its knees, and the taxpayers will be left to pick up the tab.”

Huh????????????

While I would like to think that these two comments were an aberration, I’m afraid to say that I think they constitute the thinking of the majority.  Somewhere along the line “Smart Growth” and the rise of Traditional Neighborhood Developments (TND’s) got a bad name in Lancaster County.  The pundits say if you are for these concepts, you are against preserving farmland.  If you embrace these ideas, you are a money-grubbing developer/builder/REALTOR®.  What these people don’t realize is that everything that they rail against is also what “Smart Growth” and TND’s help solve.

In fact, if these development concepts are as bad as what their opponents say they are, why have the following organizations backed “Smart Growth” and TND’s:

• American Farmland Trust
• American Planning Association
• Center on Sustainable & Regional Growth
• Environmental Law Institute
• Institute of Transportation Engineers
• National Association of Counties
• National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals
• National Neighborhood Coalition
• National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
• National Trust for Historic Preservation
• National Wildlife Federation
• Natural Resources Defense Council
• Rails to Trails Conservancy
• The Conservation Fund
• Trust for Public Land
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

You have to admit it – - – this is a pretty impressive group.  Not a lot of anti-farmland, money-grubbing people here.  So why is this concept so misunderstood?

During the same workshop that Jeff Hawkes attended, Carol Simpson, a Manheim Township commissioner, related a story of a sign she read along the side of a road.  The sign read, “No TND.  Save Our Farmland.”  Simpson said she almost drove off the road because the sign was so illogical.  Did the person who installed this sign really know what they were saying?  TND’s actually save farmland by locating denser residential housing and commercial uses in confined areas that are closer to existing infrastructure.

The organization, Smart Growth America, explains that ”Smart Growth” mirrors the basic values of most Americans.  They define “Smart Growth” as achieving the following goals¹:

1. NEIGHBORHOOD LIVABILITY - The central goal of any smart growth plan is the quality of the neighborhoods where we live.  They should be safe, convenient, attractive, and affordable for all people.  Sprawl development too often forces trade-offs between these goals.  Some neighborhoods are safe but not convenient.  Others are convenient but not affordable.  Too many affordable neighborhoods are not safe.  Careful planning can help bring all these elements together.
2. BETTER ACCESS, LESS TRAFFIC – One of the major downfalls of sprawl is traffic.  By putting jobs, homes and other destinations far apart and requiring a car for every trip, sprawl makes everyday tasks a chore.  Smart growth’s emphasis on mixing land uses, clustering development, and providing multiple transportation choices helps us manage congestion, pollute less and save energy.  Those who want to drive can, but people who would rather not drive everywhere or don’t own a car have other choices.
3. THRIVING CITIES, SUBURBS AND TOWNS - Smart growth puts the needs of existing communities first.  By guiding development to already built-up areas, money for investments in transportation, schools, libraries and other public services can go to the communities where people live today.  This is especially important for neighborhoods that have inadequate public services and low levels of private investment.  It is also critical for preserving what makes so many places special—attractive buildings, historic districts and cultural landmarks.
4. SHARED BENEFITS - Sprawl leaves too many people behind.  Divisions by income and race have allowed some areas to prosper while others languish.  As basic needs such as jobs, education and health care become less plentiful in some communities, residents have diminishing opportunities to participate in their regional economy.  Smart growth enables all residents to be beneficiaries of prosperity.
5. LOWER COSTS, LOWER TAXES - Sprawl costs money.  Opening up green space to new development means that the cost of new schools, roads, sewer lines, and water supplies will be borne by residents throughout metro areas.  Sprawl also means families have to own more cars and drive them further.  This has made transportation the second highest category of household spending, just behind shelter.  Smart growth helps on both fronts.  Taking advantage of existing infrastructure keeps taxes down.  And where convenient transportation choices enable families to rely less on driving, there’s more money left over for other things, like buying a home or saving for college.
6. KEEPING OPEN SPACE OPEN - By focusing development in already built-up areas, smart growth preserves rapidly vanishing natural treasures.  From forests and farms to wetlands and wildlife, smart growth lets us pass on to our children the landscapes we love.  Communities are demanding more parks that are conveniently located and bring recreation within reach of more people.  Also, protecting natural resources will provide healthier air and cleaner drinking water. 

After reading these goals, would you still walk out to your front yard and drive a stake into the ground with an attached sign that reads, “No TND – Save Our Farmland”?

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¹ ”What is Smart Growth?” Smart Growth America. http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/. 07 Oct. 2009. Web.