Dog Fan Wrote:Dyno -

I envy you.

Hey, with some of the outfits that you've described, it should be me that envies you.

cyberdawg Wrote:huh?

Basically, I did not read the article but if the Randall Rd area can support 2 Jewels and 2 Dominicks plus the Meijer, I think it is possible here. Just a guess but it would be interesting to see their data.

I don't think they meant designer greenbeans. They likely meant upgrades in services compared to the normal Jewel(more ready to eat foods, fresh sushi, gas station and well landscaped lot). The "needs" of "soccer moms". Which is what is moving into that area of Sycamore/DeKalb.

Is that a bit clearer?

If I feel like it, I may go through using the above calculations(or those from my books). I unfortunately don't have a GIS program or I could maybe use that to map results and post them on here(although it would probably be less sophisticated then what Jewel did). Of course, I really don't feel like it and I don't think you would really care so it is not likely.

Double posts win ballgames...read the one below this one...

Bartindekalb Wrote:Did you do the project for the actual study of the Parkway?

No. Not the "official" one. It would have been great if we did because of the real life experiences it would have given us. What we did basically is figure out which of the 3 possible locations for the road(actual locations proposed) was the best option based on the least amount of wetlands destroyed, population and other factors. If I remember correctly, we ended up choosing the middle option which was about 7 or so miles west of Elburn. It was really pretty limited because of time restraints but it was fun. The nice thing was we had a really smart guy in our group so we got a really good grade on the ending report. :)

I can't remember but I think the last I heard the far Kane/DeKalb option was the main one being considered-but that was a long time ago. I personally thought it was too far west.

I am watching the weather channel about hurricane Emily about to destroy Cancun. Hope the hotel I stayed in survives. :( It was one of the older(cheap) ones far away from the "fun" places.

Quote: Besides, its not like the City WANTS the farmer to sell the land to developers - it's market driven.

What exactly do you include within your comment of "the government restricting the sale between buyer and seller"? The government doesn't get in the way of sale of land, save for the normal taxes and such. The zoning issues don't come into play until AFTER the land has been sold and the new owner decides he wants to change what the land has on it.

I love market driven economies. That's why I don't get all flustered over "uban (or suburban) sprawl". I worry when I hear (or read) people complain about it, as that usually means they want the government to lay down more rules to combat it, and more rules worry me.

I give the benefit of the doubt to the market.

Zoning issues are always in play. If I want to buy your farm, and turn it into a shopping mall, zoning laws could prevent me from doing that, which could limit your potential market, and lower the value of your property.

I am not saying "Eliminate all zoning laws", just that they do have negative consequences.

Zoning laws are a case by case situation IMO.

Lombard was asked to waive some zoning regulations to allow construction of a four story condo in order to redevelop downtown business area and also save the adjoining defunct DuPage Theatre which is a " hysterical landmark".

Trouble is the waiver will cause those homes with property backing up to new condos to loose all afternoon sun into the yards and rear windows to their homes and obscure their views westward.
Condo owners with balcones would be looking down into their yards limiting privacy.

What is the govenrment to do? protect homeowners' property and values or redevelop downtown with another condo and help struggling businesses downtown and expand tax base?

No other developerer in last 12 years who has presented a project wants the space and to keep the theatre unless it can get the waivers.

Quote: This is very true - however - usually these zoning decisions come from a City Council/Village Board who has been elected by the people and has a general idea of what the people in the community will tolerate. Also, they generally have a professional staff behind them helping them make decisions. Not to mention, the comprehensive plan for the City is passed and deliberated upon in public. 

Although I am all for local decisions being made my the lowest possible level of government, keep in mind that state and federal congress will make the same claims - that they represent the people, they have a professional staff and a comprehensive plan. Communists governments will claim that too. (not that I am calling you a Communist, that's just an example)

Quote:  Basically, what I'm getting at - is that the zoning "restrictions" you reference are for good reason. Just because someone has land doesn't mean they should get to do whatever they want with it - there can be consequences if land is not developed properly - or to its best use. 

This term "best use" scares me a little. Best use according to who? If you invited me to your home, I might be able to make "suggestions" as to how you can use it better, and I might find some people who agree with me. That could give me a majority. My idea of "best use" might differ from yours.

Unrestricted democracy is like three wolves and a sheep voting on what's for dinner

On one hand, my neighbors could have a legitimate grievance if I wanted to turn my house into a tire factory, but then again, I don't think they would have a right to force me to move out, so the city could build a high rise apartment where my house was.

I will tend to side with the property owner over the government.

Rather than leaving the final decision to those who are the professional" / paid city staff which draft plans for govenment officials to consider or the final vote by the town council itself , why not put the decision to a vote of registered voters whenever a MAJOR city project is gonna require substantial changes to a neighborhood? It's purest form of democracy.

This may help to ease the undue influence of pressure groups, insiders, and special interests in deciding what is in the best interest of most of the citizens in town.