By Wylie Harris
Dallas Morning News
November 10, 2003
http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/letters/stories/111003dnedimondayletters.9a801.html
Re: "Will sprouting of MUDs make mess?" Oct. 27 Page One .
Paula Lavigne's article on municipal utility districts was excellent and
informative. Her readers will note, correctly, that MUDs make sense only for
the developers who build and sell them and who, living elsewhere, do not
have to deal with the problems they create.
Ms. Lavigne's story conveys an understandable sense of hopelessness on the
part of local residents and governments, who feel powerless to resist the
spread of MUDs. However, means do exist to keep suburban sprawl out of rural
areas.
One such tactic is a conservation easement. This is a voluntary arrangement
that allows rural landowners to sell the development rights to their property
while retaining title. The land's agricultural capacity and wildlife habitat
are protected, landowners are compensated for their property's development
value, and residential development of the property is prohibited, throwing up
a wall against sprawl.
Many states have "purchase of development rights" programs to help create
conservation easements. Such a bill was introduced in the last session of the
Texas Legislature, but never made it to the floor.
Texas needs just such a program to protect its rural communities and
landscapes from suburban sprawl. For more information, see
www.farmland.org/texas/pdr.htm.
Wylie Harris, Saint Jo