Victory! Joint Planning Authority Available Now 12/18/03

Out of control development is destroying our state; paving over some of our most valued natural places, transforming farmland into developments and leaving behind a legacy of air and water pollution.

Despite the large developer lobby trying to convince Lansing lawmakers to do nothing, we have an opportunity to pass policies that would stop sprawl and promote smart growth alternatives.

Sprawl Is Quickly Changing Michigan
It’s been estimated that if the state doesn’t come up with a plan to deal with growth Michigan will lose nearly 2 million acres of open space and farmland over the next 20 years. This loss of Michigan’s natural areas damages our lakes and rivers with runoff pollution and destroys our unique farmland.

Governor Granholm and the state legislature need to take an active role in helping local governments better plan growth and fight development pressure.

The Environmental Impact Of Sprawl Is Mounting
Lost Green Spaces: Urban sprawl is turning open spaces once treasured into strip malls and destroying Michigan’s farmland. We lose 10 acres of open space and farmland every hour to uncontrolled growth.

Spoiled Waters: One of the biggest reasons for water pollution in our lakes and rivers is runoff from parking lots and other development. Nearly half of all our original wetlands have been destroyed by rampant development.

Our Quality Of Life Is Threatened
The Cost of Sprawl: Building further out and in haphazard patterns increases demand for schools, bigger roads and more sewers. In fact, a survey of 18 communities found that reducing sprawl would save taxpayers in those communities over $80 million.

Stuck in Traffic: As a result of unmanaged growth, we are spending more and more of our time stuck in traffic. In the last decade, the number of miles driven in Michigan has increased by nearly 25 percent.

Smart Growth Solutions
Statewide Planning: Developers and road builders benefit from having no statewide plan for growth. Governor Granholm should require statewide goals and guidelines to plan growth better and provide the resource to local governments to achieve these goals.

Regional Cooperation: The state should help local governments plan regionally. Having cities and other local governments plan together will help them better stand up against developers.

The Time Is Now To Protect Michigan's Communities And Natural Areas
Earlier this year PIRGIM, along with other groups and thousands of citizens, convinced the Michigan Land Use Leadership Council to adopt policy recommendations that will protect open space and curb sprawl. The bi-partisan task force was the first step in stopping sprawl.

To stop out-of-control growth, we need Lansing lawmakers to act now on these important anti-sprawl recommendations.

Smart Growth Principles

Local governments need the resources and tools to plan future development patterns regionally and citizens are an important part of that planning process.

Economic growth and new development should be encouraged in already developed areas creating vital community centers where people have opportunities to work, recreate and shop near their homes.

Farms, forests and other special natural areas in Michigan should be permanently protected for future generations.

And while the developers are working overtime to stop any protections for Michigan's open spaces, we have never had a better chance to win. To do so, Lansing lawmakers need to hear from their constituents.