I'm curious about the conclusion that the new "productivity"
ordinance is more restrictive than the previous draft ordinance.
I had sought an estimate of the number of
potential new parcels that could have been created under the
proposed ordinance. Nobody had that information. Now a
new ordinance is on the table and I have yet to hear
an upper limit estimate of the potential new parcels that
could be created. This is a GIS problem that requires
an overlay of soil types with parcel boundaries. Unless
things have changed since I left Idaho, an accurate digitized
parcel map for Latah County does not exist. Without this
computerized data, once again, residents of Latah County would
be signing a blank check. What is the upper limit of the
number of new parcels that could be created under the
proposed ordinance? How does this number compare to
the previous ordinance? How does this compare to the number
of parcels that could be created without any changes?
I continue to be amazed that there is perceived
to be a "problem" with rural county development and yet,
nobody can accurately describe the problem or its
dimensions.
-- Greg Brown (gregb@siu.edu) Assistant Professor,Dept. of Forestry Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL 62901-4411 (618) 453-7465 FAX: (618) 453-7475