rolandofgilead41089 t1_jd7xdsp wrote on March 22, 2023 at 2:09 PM

Reply to comment by tjrileywisc in They’ve Been Warned: Attorney General Says Suburbs ‘Must Comply’ With Transit-Oriented Housing Law by psychothumbs

Maybe in the city 15 units per acre isn't a big deal, but I chose to live in a more rural Western MA town because I want an acre for myself. Call me a NIMBY all you want, I don't want to live in a densely populated neighborhood.

tjrileywisc t1_jd7yw8p wrote on March 22, 2023 at 2:20 PM

I'm not going to say you can't have it- it's just that it's unreasonable to expect urban infrastructure on a rural tax base. Frequently suburbia is subsidized by taxes in denser neighborhoods. Even if you don't have sewer access, you're getting a lot of road infrastructure that isn't paid for by gas taxes.

rolandofgilead41089 t1_jd80oiz wrote on March 22, 2023 at 2:32 PM

I don't expect urban infrastructure in my rural town and don't want it. I expect my local taxes to pay for what my town needs, which it does. Our roads are well maintained throughout the seasons and the school system is highly rated and desirable for young families.

tjrileywisc t1_jd85g1n wrote on March 22, 2023 at 3:03 PM

Well I have suburban NIMBYs in my town who do have this infrastructure who also think our city shouldn't have to allow the housing, and they're expecting rural communities to allow it instead.

The only fair solution I see here is that everyone needs to relax a little and let the market get an equilibrium... which seems to be the approach the state is going for.

For what it's worth, the state put a cap on the amount of housing required in more rural communities after getting feedback during the comment session.

three-ple t1_jd9fczz wrote on March 22, 2023 at 7:52 PM

Very true. A lot of people call for "why do we need the density? There is so much space out in X. Let them build there!".