Especially in built-out communities like those in BACOG, it would be difficult, expensive, and perhaps
irrational to force changes for infrastructure that does not exist, or set asides for development on
unbuilt land that barely exists, for example, for the sake of choice and purportedly to achieve the same
level of diversity as might be possible in another municipality. There is an alternative perspective, and
that is the acceptance that there are compatible and unique areas containing different uses and housing
types that exist between and among small municipalities and unincorporated township areas. It is a
similar relationship to what exists within larger communities, between and among their subdivisions and
neighborhoods – it is merely that the boundary line has been drawn in a different place. There are
opportunities all around, but it seems that in the name of quantifying and promoting “affordable” and
“fair”, we lose sight of what makes sense.
The report states that land use and zoning provisions can impact housing development’s access to
utilities, and “best practices” include ensuring all housing types have adequate access to water and
sewer utilities. BACOG believes that this paragraph on page 48 ignores environmental best practices,
which in our area include utilization of private wells and septic systems in housing development.
Environmental best practices practically eliminate distribution infrastructure (extensive piping), and they
return used water to the ground to recharge the aquifers, in the most environmentally healthy manner.
Sewers send wastewater out of the watershed and do not replenish the aquifers from which we draw
water for all our needs. While providing sewers and public water is needed in many areas, it is not the
only way to build housing, and we would ask that low-impact environmentally-friendly systems also be
acknowledged as “best practices” in the report.
Impediment 1. The report states that the county does not have a long term strategy for education
about fair housing, and the recommendation is for the county to provide more public education and
outreach and to host regional discussions on housing. We generally support the recommendations to
further understanding of fair housing issues. The promotion of fair housing is important, our officials are
committed to immediately addressing any complaints or violations, and we hope to participate in the
county’s planned forums on fair housing.
We would point out, however, that the number of complaints in the BACOG municipalities is miniscule
to our knowledge, which knowledge includes our officials talking directly, albeit informally, to local
realtors. And so while we support fair housing, pursuing fair housing activities may not be the highest
priority for our non-grant receiving local governments due to the lack of local complaints, the very
limited ability to create new housing opportunities, and the extremely pressing other needs of local
government at this time. We would voice that this may be a limiting factor for the municipalities of
BACOG and other areas of the county in the implementation of recommended activities that involve
municipal investment.
Impediment 4. This impediment states that zoning and building codes can limit housing options for
protected classes. While limiting housing options for anyone is certainly not a goal of governments in
the BACOG area, maintaining building code standards plus safety and quality of construction is.
In built-out communities, there may be inadequate physical area to create transition zones between low
density residential areas that offer high quality features, and high density areas with lower quality
features. It is not the “people” that residents might object to, as suggested in the report, but the
incompatibility of the use and aesthetics with surrounding uses. A main reason zoning was created was
to protect property values, and, as pointed out in the report, we understand that zoning has evolved in
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