SRF, the private consulting firm hired to update the Burleigh County comprehensive land-use plan, says its goal is to “reduce sprawl.” But why, in a state that is 99 percent rural, has sprawl become such an overriding problem?
The planners say it costs more to provide infrastructure and services to far-flung developments. Yet they admit they have no evidence this is true in Burleigh County. UPS, FedEx, electricity, and telephone companies manage to cover their costs serving low-density developments. Burleigh County should also be able to do so.
The planning profession uses a “rational planning model” to address issues like this one. Rational planners identify goals, develop alternative ways of achieving those goals, and estimate the benefits and costs of each alternative. Only then do they put together a plan that attempts to achieve the greatest benefits at the least cost.
Contrary to what the Green Grand Forks committee would have citizens believe, it is working hard to ensure that land use restrictions become tighter and tighter in Grand Forks and the surrounding area. The committee and planners are trained in "sustainable development" and "smart growth."
On Thursday, November 8, the Green Grand Forks committee met for the first time. According to the Grand Forks Herald, the committee met with Mayor Mike Brown's approval. The committee task is to "chart the way" towards a "greener" Grand Forks.