Q&A of the Day – Preservation Vs. Growth in the Palm Beaches
Each day I feature a listener question sent by one of these methods.
Email: brianmudd@iheartmedia.com
Social: @brianmuddradio
iHeartRadio: Use the Talkback feature – the microphone button on our station’s page in the iHeart app.
Today’s Entry: Hi Brian, I listen to your show each morning and I am smarter and more informed every day for doing so. I finally have a question for you. I come across lots of comments on The Nextdoor App complaining about how much our local area is growing. Specifically Jupiter and the north county area. They basically wish things were the way they used to be. I guess whenever they moved here they wanted growth to stop. They blame crooked politicians for being in the pockets of greedy developers who steal the land from furry woodland creatures leaving them with no more habitat. I love Jupiter, I moved here over 30 years ago and have seen a lot of change. Thousands of others have seen the charm of the area and have made it their home too. What is the appropriate answer to those who complain about too much growth? Isn’t it inevitable? Can politicians really stop growth? Wouldn’t the price of housing and property taxes be even more outrageous if housing development was restricted? There would be more demand but no supply. I don’t like the traffic or once wooded areas being filled with homes but I look at it as that is just the way it is. When you live in a great area you can’t blame others for wanting to live here also. I’m glad I’m living in a growing area with a good economy. Thank you Ron DeSantis. Can politicians do a better job of managing growth? I’m sure they can but can they really restrict growth and if they do what are the negative consequences of that?
Sorry for the rambling. I look forward to hearing your response if you choose my question.
Bottom Line: I don’t think you’re rambling at all. I think your perspective is representative of many people in our community. I also love your question and am personally passionate about this topic. Let’s start this conversation with a little perspective about what’s changed over the years. Palm Beach County is far from being the fastest growing county in Florida, but there’s still been huge population growth within it as those of us who’ve lived here for a while have seen. From Boca to Jupiter to the Glades and everywhere in between there’s been a steady population boom for decades. For that reason, you’re right that there tend to be two types of people throughout the Palm Beaches. Those who’ve been here for a long time, who’re generally unhappy with the booming development and accompanying traffic and those who’re part of the population boom in more recent years and generally appreciate this community as it is. That makes your perspective seemingly somewhat rare in addition to pragmatic. Your note about the complaining of your neighbors reminds me of one of my favorite sayings. It comes from Theodore Roosevelt: Complaining about a problem without posing a solution is called whining. That takes us to your questions.
I’m going to start by addressing your second question first. Wouldn’t the price of housing and property taxes be even more outrageous if housing development was restricted? In theory, no. If a local government is well managed, which is why I say in theory, the needs of the government would only grow in direct proportion to the populous it’s serving. Otherwise, the needs of a local government shouldn’t generally grow faster than the local inflation rate which is directly connected to the local economy and would be reflected in tax receipts. If the growth of spending by a local government outpaces the growth of the local economy, one of two things is happening. The government is being irresponsibly operated (or has been in the recent past) and/or they’re preplanning for future growth by laying the infrastructure for the growth in advance (which should be accounted for financially by the increased tax base upon completion of the projects). As for the first contextual line of questions... What is the appropriate answer to those who complain about too much growth? Isn’t it inevitable? Can politicians really stop growth?
Of course, in the most literal sense the answer is that yes, that politicians do have the potential in many instances to curb growth through zoning regulations, building code, sustainability guidelines, etc. I detect a rhetorical element to that train of thought, and in general, you’re right that demand is only likely to further increase if new supply isn’t added to meet the demand. We already have a supply/demand imbalance to begin with, with accounts for our real-estate market consistently outperforming the price growth nationally or even in many other parts of the state which contributes to many of the ongoing affordability challenges. If new supply weren’t brought online, that issue would only exacerbate over time until property, including rent rates, would be unaffordable for all but the wealthiest. That’s often the argument and the balance that’s attempting to be struck with development in our communities. That takes me to what an appropriate answer for those who complain about growth might be. The answer would be to take action. Yes, having people complain about the growth directly to their local officials to advocate for a change in policies is an option, but in this instance, I’m speaking of something different, as in taking direct action.
Like you, and consistent with the Teddy Roosevelt quote I shared at the onset, I have little desire to just listen to people complain. If most people spent the time they take to complain about issues and instead focused that time and energy towards achieving their goals – they just might achieve them. Some know that I’m both a preservationist and a conservationist...most don’t because I rarely go out of my way to draw attention to it. Ashley and I are currently putting the finishing touches on the restoration of a historic estate. It’s the culmination of an 11.5-year process that has included an extraordinary amount of time, stress, money, contactors, architects, meetings, reviews by officials, petitions to the Historic Preservation Board, etc. but to us it’s all been worth it because we’re passionate about it, it’s our home, and it always will be. And aside from the ability to enjoy what’s been restored, it’s had a positive impact on the community as well, which is also gratifying. And so, my point is this...
Any new development happens on land. And someone owns that land. If people in the community are passionate about curbing development...how about looking into buying it for the purpose of preserving it? Now, the knee jerk reaction for many would be yeah right, where’s the money going to come from? And what I would say first is...there are an awfully lot of exceptionally wealthy people in the Palm Beaches. How do you know there aren’t others of means who’d be interested in establishing a trust for the purpose of preservation until you try? What about a bunch of small dollar donations from sympathetic neighbors? Do I actually think the people complaining about this in the Nextdoor App will do something like this? No. But the real question posed today is a big picture question about long-term preservation. There are no small or easy commitments that address big picture concepts like this. Just those that take years and require a great deal of time, effort, meetings, coordination with officials and money. For those who have lived here all their lives and that really care about preservation that much & in answer to your question – that's an appropriate answer for these folks – because that’s what it takes to get the job done. The question is how much do they really care. Complaining aka whining is easy. Doing something worthwhile never is.