[Durham INC] "We can't afford Jordan development" letter to HeraldSun 8-20-09

[Melissa Rooney]

Please see below: Another very instructional letter to the editor (in today's HS) with very real reasons for opposing the changing of the Jordan Lake Watershed map in order to make way for the 751 Assemblage mini-city. Thank you, Kathryn Spann!
Melissa (Rooney)



  



http://heraldsun. southernheadline s.com/opinion/ hsletters/ index.cfm?





 
We can't afford Jordan development






The proposed development of the 751 Assemblage promises significant additional burdens on Durham's taxpayers. This extremely dense proposed project would further impair Jordan Lake at the same time we already are staring down the barrel of $300 million in cleanup costs for the lake. 
In other words, the developers of this project would make money, while the taxpayers foot the bill for the cleanup. Taxpayers will also have to foot the bill to extend massive water and sewer infrastructure -- not to mention roads, traffic improvements, schools and police and fire service -- to supply the proposed 1,200 homes and 500,000 square feet of commercial space. 
The developer touts a tax contribution of $7 million from the project, but the required infrastructure will cost many times this much. The proposed school alone will cost approximately $50 million. Why would we approve such costs at the time our county manager is anticipating the need to cut staffing for next year's budget? 
Ongoing services for the proposed high-density development will further drain our tax base. Cost of community services studies in the Triangle show that residential developments cost more than $1.40 in taxpayer-funded services for every tax dollar they contribute. 
Some say the cost of an independent survey of Jordan Lake is too high for taxpayers to foot. I say that the cost of not getting that survey will cripple our county budget. We can't afford this development, or a quick and dirty settlement of the developer's tactical lawsuit. 


KATHRYN SPANN
Rougemont
August 20, 2009 


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