edward
11-02-2007, 11:22 AM
Where we Stand to date:
There was a general theme at the first meeting "Preserve The Rural Lifestyle" that was sounded loud and clear. But, the underpinning of that statement begs the question, how do we do accomplish it?
The P & Z ordinances are not the answer. Many equestrians will now walk away feeling that they won some kind of victory because of the modifications the BOS agreed to and others that will also be revised.
In reality, nothing has changed because development has not been halted nor even slowed down. In the town I lived in in Connecticut, the politicians changed the zoning from 2 acres to 3 acres minimum for a residence when they saw growth coming. They realized that the infrastructure necessary to handle it could not be built. The roads could not handle the increased traffic, the topography wouldn't allow it. It's the same story here except, it's the roads, the water and who knows what else.
If property owners and the county can change their zoning and cities can annex the areas that surround them, rural property will gradually disappear.
Greed due to rising land values, loss of farms, retirements, small land investors, non equestrians and so on, will eradicate the equestrian lifestyle within 20 years even if the new comprehensive plan talks about preserving the rural lifestyle.
In a recent study conducted by Arthur Anderson, Outdoor Recreation represented one of the largest growth areas in the US economy and was the number one factor in relocation of business. That makes me think about the decadent cities of the Northeast and Midwest. They grew beyond their capacity for a desireable lifestyle and people moved to places like Arizona. We are now doing the same as they did in Northeastern cities more than 50 years ago. Building like crazy, without regard to sensible "integrated" planning. Twenty years from now we all will be trying to get out, to escape the crime, congestion, pollution and scarcity of drinking water, lack of open space in our neighborhoods and the subsequent loss of our quality of life.
So, what's the solution? My belief is that we must achieve the following:
1) The community must buy into an Equine Lifestyle Integration Plan. All rural land that is re zoned to higher density must include equine access and an easement across that property. Norco, California and Highland, Michigan are two recent successful examples of Equine Integration. They even have hitching posts in front of businesses, not old ones, new that were added to accommodate the lifestyle. Downtowns are accessible by horseback. Horses are an "acceptable" part of the community.
2) Rural land owners must buy into the concept of donating a permanent equestrian easement on their lands
3) Strong equine leadership in Pinal county
4) Horse owners must demonstrate their passion for the lifestyle by showing up for meetings, planning workshops etc.
5) Our approach must be organized and consistent. To be effective we need to speak with one voice.
Much happened at the last meeting in Florence and since then.
I learned that the entire Comprehensive Plan will be replaced in 2008. Meetings and workshops have already been conducted and input was taken from "thousands of citizens". Lucky for us they are taking a break for the holidays and will resume in January.
We must be part of the plan to sell the Integration concept.
Ed
There was a general theme at the first meeting "Preserve The Rural Lifestyle" that was sounded loud and clear. But, the underpinning of that statement begs the question, how do we do accomplish it?
The P & Z ordinances are not the answer. Many equestrians will now walk away feeling that they won some kind of victory because of the modifications the BOS agreed to and others that will also be revised.
In reality, nothing has changed because development has not been halted nor even slowed down. In the town I lived in in Connecticut, the politicians changed the zoning from 2 acres to 3 acres minimum for a residence when they saw growth coming. They realized that the infrastructure necessary to handle it could not be built. The roads could not handle the increased traffic, the topography wouldn't allow it. It's the same story here except, it's the roads, the water and who knows what else.
If property owners and the county can change their zoning and cities can annex the areas that surround them, rural property will gradually disappear.
Greed due to rising land values, loss of farms, retirements, small land investors, non equestrians and so on, will eradicate the equestrian lifestyle within 20 years even if the new comprehensive plan talks about preserving the rural lifestyle.
In a recent study conducted by Arthur Anderson, Outdoor Recreation represented one of the largest growth areas in the US economy and was the number one factor in relocation of business. That makes me think about the decadent cities of the Northeast and Midwest. They grew beyond their capacity for a desireable lifestyle and people moved to places like Arizona. We are now doing the same as they did in Northeastern cities more than 50 years ago. Building like crazy, without regard to sensible "integrated" planning. Twenty years from now we all will be trying to get out, to escape the crime, congestion, pollution and scarcity of drinking water, lack of open space in our neighborhoods and the subsequent loss of our quality of life.
So, what's the solution? My belief is that we must achieve the following:
1) The community must buy into an Equine Lifestyle Integration Plan. All rural land that is re zoned to higher density must include equine access and an easement across that property. Norco, California and Highland, Michigan are two recent successful examples of Equine Integration. They even have hitching posts in front of businesses, not old ones, new that were added to accommodate the lifestyle. Downtowns are accessible by horseback. Horses are an "acceptable" part of the community.
2) Rural land owners must buy into the concept of donating a permanent equestrian easement on their lands
3) Strong equine leadership in Pinal county
4) Horse owners must demonstrate their passion for the lifestyle by showing up for meetings, planning workshops etc.
5) Our approach must be organized and consistent. To be effective we need to speak with one voice.
Much happened at the last meeting in Florence and since then.
I learned that the entire Comprehensive Plan will be replaced in 2008. Meetings and workshops have already been conducted and input was taken from "thousands of citizens". Lucky for us they are taking a break for the holidays and will resume in January.
We must be part of the plan to sell the Integration concept.
Ed