De facto zoning.

Oops, I used the wrong word. We now say "land use." And if you haven't realized it, we already have a large number of zoning restrictions. Local government has been and continues to cobble together, in piecemeal fashion, a large number of restrictions on how we use our land. You probably haven't paid attention because these restrictions haven't been applied to you - not yet.

Approaching any challenge, especially an important and difficult challenge, by shying away from it is a foolish course. It reflects lack of resolve, and it is simply bad strategy. To continually avoid facing the large challenge of creating a master land-use plan for our city and county demonstrates clearly that we have poor political leadership. Waiting, procrastinating and deflecting criticism is all that we as a community have achieved. This must end.

Property values are best preserved by having prescribed rules of use in all areas of the county. Simply stated, we need defined areas for: commercial, farming, residential, greenspace, objectionable activity, and buffer zones. There will be stability and predictability. Plaintive cries from those who "will use my land any way I like" can be met with rationally. We all know that at least a few people will experience a perceived devaluing of their land, depending upon how close they are situated to what is considered undesirable. These situations can be dealt with fairly. This is unfortunate, but some people will be unhappy with any decision, so government is only required to act fairly. A variance process will also allow neighbors to work together to create what each needs and wants. There are now many of us living close together, so we collectively require an arbiter to assist us, and this is the role of our government.

The main issue - amongst many issues - is where to locate commercial production. Do you want a industrial pig operation or an asphalt plant next to you? People in Jackson County are faced with this right now. Residents don't want asphalt fumes wafting into their living room windows, but apparently there is nothing permanent that can stop it. Meanwhile, the impending threat of the plant's construction has already caused property values to fall. Who wants to face that kind of uncertainty?

Ultimately we need to decide how many people and how many businesses this area can support. There are limits to ecological systems. How much water is there to go around? Our water is a limited resource because it all originates here. We need to start using the words “sustainable growth” when we think of how the land is used. We need to accept that at some point of development we will have reached the limit and that no new building permits will be issued. We can't just keep adding and adding in a runaway, uncontrolled manner. Perhaps we don't even want or need manufacturing jobs here. The added industrial pollution would certainly hamper expanding our attractiveness to tourists. We love these mountains and need to preserve them. Unbridled growth always leads to destroying the beauty that attracted us in the first place.

Current leadership demonstrates that addressing the issue of land use is too politically volatile and avoids it. This must stop. At the heart of this difficult matter, and what is the coming focus for all of us, is the healthy care for the Earth and that, in sustaining it, we will be sustained. The legacy that we pass foward can be fully viable for those who follow us. There is no higher purpose. We can’t be afraid to make the choices we face. Local government needs a real vision of our community and requires new leadership. The power of choice is ours each time we vote. Start looking for third party independents who are focused on people, not institutions that continually insist upon doing things destructively.

(John Beckman is a builder, organic farmer and the operations manager at Unahwi Ridge in Jackson County. Readers may contact him at www.unahwiridge.com)

 

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