The linking of land use and economic prosperity is a logical connection. This is because while residential development patterns, business locations, health, quality of life and drinking water are land use issues, they also have enormous economic impact on individuals and communities.

In the Land Use and Health section, the relationship between how land is developed and declining health statistics is explored. The economic impact of that relationship is realized in higher health care and insurance costs, loss of work due to health issues, rising cost of public programs associated with health care. The connection between walkable neighborhoods and trails also impacts economic prosperity as an automobile dependant society struggles with rising gas costs and long commutes. At a broader scale, a link can be made between longer commutes and degraded air quality and even the increase in carbon emissions as it relates to global warming.

In the Land Use and a Livable Environment section, the relationship between how land is developed and the loss of valuable farmland, open space and conservation areas is discussed. The economic impacts associated with these issues include local tax issues associated with the cost of providing services such as schools, water, sewer, police and fire departments. In this case, the tax burden associated with providing these services can outweigh the increase in taxes from new development. At some point, losing high quality farmland, wildlife habitat, open land and forests will have an impact on Michigan’s resource-based industries like agriculture, forestry and tourism which still provide a considerable component of the overall state economy.

In the Land use and Water Quality section, the relationship between land use and the degradation of water supplies is described, and this is an issue that can have enormous economic impact on numerous sectors. For example the cost of providing drinking water for communities can be substantial and the need to protect this resource is very important. Costs associated with drinking water protection are far lower those associated with remediation. On broader level Michigan has abundant supplies of fresh water and this is a national and, potentially, a global asset.

Other economic impacts can be felt in commerce centers, particularly small downtowns that lose their customer base as commercial development grows outside of the downtown business districts. In larger urban centers, the economies of the cities decline as population levels drop and the existing infrastructures of the cities degrade as funds, once provided by the tax base of a larger population, are lost. The economic impacts associated with the decline of urban centers are numerous and extend not only into the arena of commerce but also into the economic impact of social issues such as poverty and unemployment.

Smart growth land use policies can have positive economic effects on communities. Mixed-use development that incorporates numerous housing options (single-family and multi-family residential) with commercial opportunities can provide a positive tax base and increase the economic viability of the community. Higher density zoning regulations within existing service boundaries can increase the tax base of a community without the infrastructure costs involved with expanding those service boundaries. Sometimes communities set large lot size requirements in hopes of reducing the amount of development of rural land. This tactic can backfire if development still occurs which consumes more land and creates more demand for expanded services.

In Genesee County, one way for residents to address the economic and other issues associated with development is to support initiatives in their communities that address the need for intelligent, pro-active land use management. Educating ourselves about the impacts associated with poor land management are key, and community involvement can have an enormous impact. Here are a few suggestions how to get involved:

• Learn about your local communities zoning policies. Zoning ordinances set the framework for how land can be developed. Policies include minimum lot size requirements, yard set backs and the uses that can be developed on the land. Look in the links section of this website for more information on smart growth tactics and then speak out in your community.

• Participate in master plan input sessions. Master plans are a community’s guidance tool for future land development. By participating and voicing your concerns, you can help shape the way your community will grow.

• Call your local government representative and tell them you support innovative land management techniques such as mix-use and high density development options or advocate for your communities involvement in regional land use initiatives to guide growth in your region and Genesee County.