The Politics Of Smart Growth

An slate of "Smart Growth" Supervisors get elected ... and then threaten their mandate by actually trying to define the term.

1 minute read

March 29, 2001, 10:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


This is a fascinating piece about the political realities of smart growth. After being elected, a slate of supervisors who got elected by explicitly promising to promote "smart growth" in Loudoun County, Virginia now face attacks on all sides. The people who thought they were voting for no development are surprised to see new housing developments, small farmers now feel like their retirement is threatened, and density remains anathema. A cautionary tale -- make the effort to read it. (Editor's Note: This article is not available on the Governing.com website. Look for it on the newsstands.)

Thanks to Glenn Gritzner

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