Findings
Why is Density Zoning Better than Minimum Lot Size Zoning?
January 17, 2007
One of the most important objectives in the Comprehensive Town Plan is to maintain the rural character of Pine Plains. The Zoning Commission must follow the Comprehensive Plan and develop zoning that allows for growth and commercial development while it also preserves the environment and the rural character of the town.
A typical conventional subdivision (left) and a clustered subdivision (right) with three clustered ‘pods’ of homes. At least 50% of the site is preserved as open space and the houses are clustered on slightly smaller lots. (from Town of Pine Plains Comprehensive Plan, page 52)
What are the Fiscal Impacts of Development
June 14, 2006
Forget for a moment the impact of the proposed Carvel-Durst development (which would effectively double the population of Pine Plains) might have on our rural quality of life. What will it do to our schools, our fire and emergency services, our roads, our taxes?
To answer those questions, or at least make some very educated guesses about them, Pine Plains United has hired Ken Bowers to, among other things, do a fiscal impact study. Ken is a respected economist and principal at Phillips Preiss Shapiro Associates (www.ppsaplanning.com), a consulting firm specializing in community economic development.
You can view download and read this report using Acrobat Reader. Click here to download the Fiscal Impact Study. If you need to download Acrobat Reader, click here.
