Call to Action: Mt. Pleasant Growth
With growth concerns at a fever pitch, Mt. Pleasant town council voted 8-1 Tuesday night to approve ill-advised measures found in the proposed Growth Management Plan to restrict development. We commend Councilman Mark Smith for being the sole voice asking for independent expert analysis on handing growth.
These actions could raise impact fees, property taxes, and eliminate all density bonuses and are in stark contrast to the provisions laid out in our public policy guide.
Council will likely give second reading to these changes at a Special Planning Commission meeting, where they would then be finalized. The meeting will be held on April 28, 5pm at Mt. Pleasant Town Hall Chambers (100 Ann Edwards Lane). We encourage all Realtors® to attend.
TAKE ACTION to contact town officials today opposing these drastic measures!
How Are These Restrictions Problematic?
If the town restricts the availability of affordable housing options it will put additional strain on supply and potentially artificially inflate prices. Some residents will be unable to afford to remain living in Mount Pleasant and be forced elsewhere. Senior citizens and empty nesters hoping to downsize will be unable to afford to do so.
If the town raises impact fees, it will only raise taxes on the end user – the property buyer – through the built-in cost of construction. Impact fees are a temporary substitute for the town not being willing to pay for adequate infrastructure demanded by current residents. In the end, it only serves to encourage a more costly problem: sprawl.
The Proposed Solution
The town should consult growth management experts and take the time to study market-driven solutions. They should consider or expand Tax Increment Finance Districts (TIF), Municipal Improvement Districts (MID), and Residential Improvement Districts (RID). Unlike taxes and fees, these tools enhance the tax base while providing funding for public projects such as parks, playgrounds, recreation facilities, street improvements and underground utilities.
