Now that I've had some time to calm down I want to focus on some of the issues that effect the city as a whole rather than just the residential development evils in that town. That doesn't mean that I wouldn't be tickled to see Tommy and Steve struck by a moving train, it just means they're not particularly interesting to me today...yet. On other matters, it seems that the BLOG is spreading like the stomach flu! I got a call this morning from an old High School buddie that happened across it while surfing the web researching...none other than local cities to potentially move to! After 16 years, he's moving his family back to Texas and wanted to choose an area with "good schools, and nice homes."(In that order) After emailing me to ask if it was really me, I had a great laugh at his consideration of Lancaster. Safe to say, he won't be looking into a home there. Not because it's not a great town, but because I informed him that there won't be any trees or character to the area when the local residential boys are done. I emailed him a few pics of various developments and the first response was "where's all of the trees?" I explained that most of the area was plowed under in an effort to maximize the number of lots. Oops...I've done it again. Picking on residential developers again. Well, if the shoe fits...
The simple fact of the matter is that most, if not all of the problems in Lancaster can be traced back to sloppy and irresponsible development. Bad streets? Look at the posting from yesterday. Developers are ruining the streets with oversize trucks and equipment. High Crime? Theft rises almost immediately in areas where new development of "Minne mansions" comes because some of the buyers are under-qualified and used to a living environment conducive to theft. Schools? Don't even get me started...You think Larry would have half the problems that he does if he didn't have his district absolutely overrun with new growth? New growth with little or no notice and even less financial help. Keep in mind that the tax revenues for these new home owners comes, in some cases, nearly a year after their young ones have been enrolled in school! Look at any quality development and you'll see that less is ALWAYS more when it comes to raising value in an area. The key is quality, not quantity and the guys that are determined to build the next big thing simply don't care. Think they do? Check and see if the next proposal in South Lancaster doesn't have the same styling cues and general feel of your other communities. 5 acre lots and larger homes? Never, the powers that be are WAY too greedy to try that, besides they couldn't find a builder willing to take that on if they tried. Nationals aren't interested and the custom boys can't afford it. Even if they could they wouldn't choose an area with...no lake, no private golf course, no existing market or grocery option, nothing. The people and builders that are interested in the area are those that want a quiet living away from the very things that attract development. My advise to the owners of the ol' Preserve, are to fence it off and mine for limestone. I hear it's pretty plentiful down there... There's money in them ther hills!
2 comments:
You're absolutely right on how uncontrolled growth has affected the school district.
Strange, a lot of ppl associated with Lewis, or the Ed Foundation, or whatever, were city bigwigs back in the late 1990s already.
As I've said, on things like design standards, not just house and lot sizes, these ppl let the city get at least one development code out of date.
If that hadn't happened, the school district wouldn't still supposedly be one bond issue out of date. (Of course, you have to get something built right, too.)
And, above all, a commercial real estate agent, and a residential one, who can remain nameless but everybody knows them on Town Square, should have known better about design standards as well as house and lot sizes.
Of course, if that affects your property values, or your wheeling and dealing ...
Well, as far as property values go, I don't know of anyone looking to buy a t premium prices in Lancaster. It's the place where people go for a deal! On land, homes, and political clout. Consider this... If Tommy had tried half of the stuff he did in Lancaster in Dallas, do you think commissioner Price would have stood for it? Laura Miller? Hell NO! They both would have joined hands in unity to kick him out! Yet in Lancaster, excuses are made and people want to be nice... GIVE ME A BREAK! This guy has screwed everyone he's dealt with and some that he hasn't with the POSSIBLE, and I stress POSSIBLE, exception of Steve. Why? Because he still has ties to Steve, allot of em! For instance, did you know that Tommy and/or his wife/exwife are on as administrators to the trust funds of Steve's children? Seems awfully personal for a guy that was " no longer a part of The Preserve" don't you think?
Post a Comment