<< Back 9/25/02 Macon voters faced with clear, important choices SMN If there is a county whose voters needs to think seriously about their future and their future leaders, it is Macon. The upcoming election definitely offers some clear choices. The three GOP candidates for county commission who won in the primary have openly opposed the land-use plan that was debated in the county earlier this spring. Not only that, at a forum last week they all three made comments that showed they had personal aversions to land-use measures that put any kind of restrictions on property owners. That kind of thinking, by our estimation, could be the ruin of a fine and fast-growing county. J.B. Coram had the harshest words for those who might think enacting some good land-use planning would be a good idea: “In the next 10 years, forget it.” He was speaking specifically about the plan put forth this spring and summer, but his overriding philosophy could not have been more clear. Mickey Duvall and Norman Roberts were a bit more populist in their words. Though both made comments that would lead one to believe that they personally did not support strong land-use planning, they did say they would support a referendum of the people on the issue. Trouble is, one could only believe that both of them would be out there leading the charge against such a referendum. Look, being a leader is a difficult job. And these men, like all of us in this country, are entitled to their point of view. And they are right: in many cases land-use planning does amount to something very close to zoning. But it doesn’t have to. Zoning tells you specifically what can be done with a particular parcel of land. For instance, this area will be industrial and anything can go on 24 hours a day; this area is for residential use and nothing else is allowed. Period. Most towns have zoning and need it because people live so close to each other. Good land-use planning, on the other hand, is more accommodating. In many cases it says you can do about whatever you want, but certain stipulations must be met. For instance, you can build a junkyard here, but since there are so many neighbors you must put up some kind of fencing; you can operate a convenience store here, but since it is a neighborhood your signage will be regulated and hours may be limited; and you can build a garage next to a river, but you must do something to control runoff from your parking lot so it won’t pollute. In a good land-use plan, nearly all existing uses are grandfathered in so people won’t be run out of business. This current election may provide clear partisan choices, but smart land-use planning has nothing to do with political parties. Outgoing County Board Chairman Harold Corbin is a Republican who lost in the primary. In a letter to the Macon County News, Corbin quoted a former congressman in expressing his own belief: “It is easy for elected officials to succumb to the illusion that the greater good is served by their self-perpetuation in office. But something larger gets lost ... the ability to lead.” Corbin went out on a limb and helped Macon enact several progressive and protective measures. He knew they were good for Macon County. Despite his loss, voters would do well to remember his contributions and his vision as they wade through the views of those who want to lead them into the 21st century.