THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 21, 1995 TAG: 9505200129
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
There's a lot to be said for cluster zoning. It helps preserve natural areas, which contributes to the quality of life in suburban neighborhoods. It saves the taxpayers money by reducing the cost of utility lines, streets and other public services. It even helps keep the cost of housing down by reducing developers' up-front investments.
It was these advantages city councilmen had in mind when they approved a 95-unit cluster development in Deep Creek last week. The builders will be allowed to build the houses closer together in order to set aside seven acres of the 44-acre site as a kind of park.
It was the seventh cluster development approved in Chesapeake and, from the looks of it, one that works to the advantage of all concerned.
But, as some members of council pointed out during the debate over the rezoning, there may be long-term disadvantages that are being overlooked in the enthusiasm over the short-term benefits.
What happens in 20, 30 or 40 years, when the developer is no longer involved in the project and the houses there have changed hands two or three times? Who is responsible for making sure that the open space created by the clustering doesn't turn into an unsightly tangle of weeds or, worse, a litter-strewn dump site? If the city has to step in later to maintain a neglected park, the cost would quickly neutralize any savings that are realized now.
Present zoning law requires that private homeowners' associations maintain the open areas unless the city chooses to assume responsibility for the property. But it's not clear what would happen if, in time, the homeowners' associations cease to function or fail to meet their obligations.
One of the purposes of zoning laws is to prevent developments from becoming public burdens down the line, when they are no longer new. There are plenty of examples of developments that have lost their shine with the passage of time.
Even the cost-reduction aspects of cluster zoning have a down side. The cheaper houses are, the faster they'll be sold and the faster Chesapeake's population will grow. To those who believe the city is already growing too fast for its own good, that's not a good thing.
There's a real possibility that the next generation of Chesapeakians will look back at today's cluster zonings and conclude that the short-term advantages just didn't justify the long-term headaches. Time will tell.
Mayor William E. Ward, responding to these concerns, has suggested that the council begin work on a more coherent and comprehensive policy on clusters. That seems like a prudent thing to do. by CNB