I’ve heard of subdivisions built around golf courses, but not subdivisions built around equestrian centers. But NASCAR driver and Lynchburg-area land developer Stacy Compton is planning just such a thing — a subdivision of 300 luxury, single-family houses on 1,200 acres, according to the News Advance. Lot sizes will range between two and 10 acres.
I believe that developers should be allowed to experiment with new housing concepts — even if it means contributing to a scattered, disconnected, low-density pattern of development. But the Campbell County board of supervisors needs to make sure that the project covers its location-variable costs. What will be the impact on traffic congestion and the need for road improvements and cul de sac maintenance? Will the County have to build a new school and library? Will it cost more to provide faster response times for fire, ambulance and police? Campbell County needs to know the answers.
Whether Campbell supervisors employ proffers, impact fees or special tax districts, they should ensure that the project offsets the strain it places upon local government finances. Ideally, they should consider also the traffic impact on neighboring jurisdictions — although, admittedly, there is no incentive under the current governance structure to do so.
