Yesterday I wrote about concerns with future housing proposals as it relates to state government policies. Below is an interesting article from Michael Gormley of Newsday about the proposals, where he references some of the most concerning options that are being considered. Also below is an excerpt from the State of the State information that speaks to the grant funding element of this issue.
There is also a political motive for some on the left who view the suburbs as inherently wasteful and unfair. Wasteful that people live in single family homes of a size they choose on 1/2 acre or larger lots requiring resources to maintain the property and home. And unfair that not everybody has the option to live in a suburb of their choosing. These are the same folks who like the Chinese system of urbanization. In this example, people have migrated to live in cities. When a new apartment complex is deemed necessary by government, they take ownership of a swath of homes then remove the structures to build apartments. China does not have an eminent domain system like we do in the U.S. It’s much neater and nicer in their view, if everyone lives in apartments and there is less diversity in how people live or conduct their lives. Here in America, they can’t kill the suburbs. Therefore, if the burbs are becoming increasingly stronger and are a place people yearn to live, then the thinking is these areas must be taken over. The best way to accomplish that goal, in their view, is through the eradication of local zoning that perpetuates the waste, inequities and politics they are determined to change. I don’t assign these motives to the Governor, but there is a growing sentiment on the left for this to occur.
Clifton Park and Beyond 