Rural Areas Become Test Cases For Smart Growth

As subdivisions begin sprouting in formerly rural areas, counties trying to preserve the quiet life are being dragged into the debate over sprawl.

1 minute read

April 24, 2003, 1:00 PM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"If the development patterns of the past 50 years continue -- people moving farther from cities in search of cheaper land and less congestion -- more pastoral corners of the country will become bedroom communities for rapidly expanding metro areas... Missouri cattle ranchers gather to talk about urban sprawl. In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, voters near Reno approve a short-lived moratorium on housing permits. Near Atlanta, in a region noted for an anything-goes approach to growth, planners encourage builders to cluster development in certain areas so more open space can be preserved."

Thanks to Chris Steins

FULL STORY: Counties try to preserve quiet life Developing rural areas are 'test cases for smart growth'

Wednesday, April 23, 2003 in USA Today

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