This over-dependence on property taxes forces New Jersey municipalities to chase new development or “ratables,” and make their land use choices on unbalanced fiscal reasoning, spurring sprawl.
Sprawl
Summit Touches Key Causes of Sprawl
Thursday, October 31st, 2002Sprawl and Drought
Wednesday, September 25th, 2002Sprawl threatens water quality as rain runoff from roads and parking lots carries pollutants into streams, rivers and the ocean. Sprawl also reduces our water supplies. As roads, parking lots, driveways and roofs replace meadows and forests, rain water can no longer seep into the ground and replenish our aquifers. Instead, it is swept away by gutters and sewer systems.
Affordable Housing and Sprawl
Friday, August 2nd, 2002Towns can indeed protect themselves from builders remedy suits. But it will take municipal, Administrative and Legislative leadership to stop sprawl and build affordable housing.
NJ Housing Even Less Affordable
Friday, May 17th, 2002Finding housing that’s priced within your means is tough for all New Jerseyans. For low- and moderate-income workers in New Jersey, it can be impossible.
Leaders of the Pack
Monday, February 18th, 2002The nation’s most densely populated state took an important step toward curbing sprawl Jan. 31 with the creation of a Smart Growth Policy Council within the governor’s office. Made up of Cabinet heads and leaders of key state agencies, the council will meet bi-monthly or as needed.
Real Winter Warmth?
Tuesday, December 11th, 2001The way we use our land in New Jersey is changing our climate, and in turn, could dramatically change our economy and way of life.
Sprawl Gets NJ Coming – and Going – via Property Tax
Friday, March 30th, 2001Many communities on the front lines of sprawl saw their property taxes jump by over 40% to cover the costs of providing new roads, sewers, schools and services.
Development Style Can Reduce Road Costs
Tuesday, February 13th, 2001Road Costs and New Development
Laying a local, two-lane road typically costs $1 million a mile.
The cost per resident can be reduced dramatically if plans for new roads are coordinated with plans for more compact development – even when that development is no more “compact” than found in a small town.
Roads built to serve sprawling […]
If You Zone For It, They Will Come
Thursday, January 25th, 2001The Sarnoff Corporation in West Windsor this month announced plans to transform its rolling 335-acre campus into a 12-building office park.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Friday, December 22nd, 200050 Years Ago in New Jersey
In 1950, we munched Sugar Pops and Ball-O-Fire gumballs for the first time. Most of us (58 percent) lived in places with urban or small town densities where you could walk to stores, movies or even work – Newark, Camden, Maplewood, Princeton, Red Bank, Collingswood. Today, only a third of […]
