THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 14, 1995 TAG: 9507120156
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Opinion
SOURCE: BY RICHARD D. GUY
LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
I am writing to briefly respond, without getting into legal matters, to the letters to the editor and the guest column, ``Another View'' (The Clipper, July 9).
If the most vocal political and civic leaders keep treating new houses as the cause of growth and keep preaching that they are going to stop residential growth, they will be making the same mistake that Virginia Beach made some years back.
For years, Virginia Beach failed to plan properly for growth because so many felt that they could simply ``stem the tide and avert the crisis,'' as the writer of ``Another View'' suggests that Chesapeake do. When that approach is taken in a naturally growing area, disaster to the infrastructure and, most likely, the school system is going to result.
If housing does not create growth, what does? Obviously, the elderly are living longer, and the young are still making babies. As the babies grow up, their parents usually pressure them to stay in town and buy homes of their own.
Then, there is the military. Count the new people crossing the city line, and most likely the majority are connected to the military. They have steady jobs. With their regular income and their ability to buy, they help to provide employment for others. Good neighbors! And if some of them can't live in Chesapeake, where are they to go?
Considering the comments of the writers about ``over-crowded Virginia Beach,'' they certainly don't expect these people and others coming into the area to live in Virginia Beach. Where are they to live?
The writers are anxious to have business and industry located in Chesapeake, much as most cities are. The writers say that the no-growth rules (euphemistically referred to as ``managed growth''), if adopted, would not apply to businesses.
Let's bypass the question of whether any businessperson in his or her right mind would want to locate in an area determined to halt or severely restrict residential growth. Let's assume they come to town.
The first thing they will do is create lots of jobs. That's why economic development directors throughout Hampton Roads, the state and nation are trying to attract businesses in the first place. Now, what is the biggest factor, other than birth, that determines where a family will go to live? Where they can find work!
It just doesn't make sense for a city to encourage new business and industry to come to town, and to encourage existing businesses to expand, and not expect residential growth to follow. Probably the most effective tool to limit growth in Chesapeake would be to close down its economic development office. At least that would be a logical step.
In spite of all the criticism of Virginia Beach's growth, and in spite of the water shortage, interest rates, wetlands and similar problems, and even with some political leaders still trying to lock the gate, the young adults want to stay in Virginia Beach to raise their families.
Newcomers to the area still want to live in Virginia Beach. Why? Not because someone built some houses. Business has created jobs in Virginia Beach. Taxes are low. Schools are good. Recreational facilities are located throughout the city. The roads are always being improved (and the toll is gone). Medical facilities are excellent and are staffed by the fine doctors who wanted to live in Virginia Beach. There is opportunity for higher education and training.
What else can be provided in a large and growing city? Cultural and entertainment activities. Fine restaurants in all price categories. Organized sports for the youth of the city. Shopping. A low (considering the times) crime rate. Easy entrance into the political process for those who are interested. And jobs, jobs, jobs.
If a city is a nice place to live, and if business and industry is attracted, people who live there will stay, and a steady flow of others will come.
Don't plan for severely restricted growth. It won't work. It will simply scuttle the city. Plan for the growth that will come, and Chesapeake will be a great city. MEMO: Mr. Guy is with the Virginia Beach law firm of Shuttleworth, Ruloff,
Giordano & Kahle, P.G. by CNB