[MA-RPC] FW: Development in Cumberland Valley

[Walt Daniels]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: James Hooper [mailto:james.hooper at worldnet.att.net] 
> Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 8:17 PM
> To: Kerry Snow
> Cc: 'Walt Daniels'; 'MARPC list'
> Subject: Re: [MA-RPC] FW: Development in Cumberland Valley
> 
> In Pa. it is very hard to stop developments except by using 
> the tools of Zoning or purchasing the development rights.  
> Waiting until there is a problem is too late.  To handle the 
> zoning one needs to have someone attending the township 
> meetings that is from the township.

Attending township meetings is key to knowing what is going on. But even
this is too late in many cases. Zoning is fairly static - it rarely changes
except when towns change their master plans or in some cases spot zoning of
particular tracts. The latter require the eyes and ears to catch and
complain. Just attending is not as effective as being on the town
committees.

What pays much bigger dividends is examining all parcels within earshot (PA)
or eyesight and rating them on a scale so they can be prioritized. Then
start talking to the high priority owners even before they think of talking
to a developer. This is nontrivial! I am working on it for my town as
cochair of its openspace committee.