Over the past several years, through an inclusive and thoughtful process, both the City of Helena and Lewis and Clark County governments have developed and adopted growth policies that address some of the outstanding issues affecting development in Helena and the Helena Valley.  Both groups are looking to the future of the community, setting into motion policies that balance property rights with protecting water and other natural resources, agricultural lands and future costs to taxpayers and home owners who ultimately pay the burden for issues resulting from unmanaged growth.  Montana is a desirable place to live and Helena, as the center of state government and with a strong history of economic stability, can expect to see continued growth.  Mountain View Meadows, located within the Helena urban growth boundary, strives to play a leadership role in building a community that is highly livable, sustainable, and responsible to the vision of city planners.  Keeping an eye on the tenets of responsible development is key to the success of the growth policy both within and outside the city.  A growth policy focused on managed development provides an opportunity for land owners, developers, builders, local government entities and homebuyers to make choices that protect resources, reduce long-term expenditures and lay the groundwork for a better future for our children and grandchildren and for many generations to come. 

     As a message on the Helena IR webpage reads, "Nobody wants to end up with an empty stocking for the Holidays." With that in mind, the IR publishes an annual holiday wish list from local non-profit organizations and agencies.  The individual wish lists typically include a short blurb about the organization and the items they need such as food, dishes, furniture, clothes, school supplies and other necessities that can be donated by the community.  After a bountiful Thanksgiving experienced by many people throughout the Helena area, it is a good time to reflect on the needs of others who may be less fortunate or temporarily without the comforts and security we often take for granted.  Take a few moments to check the Dec. 6  edition "Empty Stockings/Gifts from the Heart" publication in the IR. Look through the list and see if there is something special you can do to brighten someone else's Christmas. It's a great opportunity to get your kids and grandkids involved.  Being part of shopping for and donating to others in need will help instill a sense of compassion and giving to others at an early age, working together to build a better community in which everyone shares in the joy and spirit of the holiday season.

       A 2003 article* published by the American Journal of Public Health based on extensive research by Rutgers University concluded that managed growth (or smart growth) can save significant amounts of human and natural resources over traditional (sprawl) development patterns.  Mathematical impact models were used to produce U.S. estimates of differences in resources consumed according to identical growth scenarios over the period 2000-2025.  The models began with two identical projections of population and employment levels for a given US economic area made by Woods & Poole Economics Inc, a commercial vendor whose projection accuracy rates have been shown to be equivalent to those of the US census.

      The results of the research: sprawl produces a 21% increase in the amount of undeveloped land converted to developed land (2.4 million acres) and approximately a 10% increase in local road lane-miles.  It further concluded that traditional sprawl development causes approximately 10% annual public service (fiscal) deficits ($4.2 billion) and 8% higher housing occupancy costs. 

    The research contrasted two alternative development futures for the United States. One alternative is current development trends -- labeled conventional development, or sprawl-- and the other alternative, -- labeled managed, or smart development-- is defined as limiting a significant share of development to already developed areas and as close to already developed locations as possible.

     Conventional development patterns would continue earlier trends of consumption of agricultural and sensitive environmental land. Market, policy, and personal choices supported conventional development or sprawl because resources were relatively plentiful and few advocated for society's needs.  Although sprawl development has benefits which were taken into account in the analysis,  managed growth remained significantly more cost-efficient in the various cost comparisons undertaken: first because a greater array of housing is offered in areas close to urban centers and two, because tax rates in urban center areas generate more revenues for services. In addition, as societal costs increase and resources become scarce, the public mood has changed in regards to sprawl development. 

    Managed development is accomplished in two ways.  One is by establishing an urban growth boundary around the developed (urban and suburban) areas and allowing only a portion of the growth to occur in the less developed (rural and undeveloped) areas.  A second method of controlling sprawl is accomplished by establishing an urban service area in a county and containing most of the growth within that area. A boundary is established around the existing concentration of growth (the urbanized area), and the remainder of the county is "protected" from significant development owing to the unavailability of adequate public services.

       These two methods of limiting sprawl combine to form the managed growth scenario. According to the research, over the 25-year projection period 2000 to 2025, the United States will grow under either scenario by 23.5 million households. Managed growth allows all development that would have taken place under conventional development to occur but directs that development to locations where public services can be provided more efficiently. This scenario results in appreciable savings in a relatively short period of time. Resources need not be as aggressively consumed, yet the amount of residential and nonresidential development is not altered. That is the message of the research.

 

*Co-authored by Robert W. Burchell, PhD and Sahan Mukherji, BS.

1. HOLIDAY DECORATING CONTEST: Check out "The Best in Our Neighborhood" for details.

2.  AVOID SALT ON SIDEWALKS: With snow falling this week, we are reminded that salt damages both sidewalks and driveways.  It takes at least three years for new concrete to cure.  Be sure to always read the label on any products you use (besides a shovel) to remove snow and ice from driveways or public walk-ways.

3.  SNOW REMOVAL: Are you a truly responsible and reliable person?  Want to get paid to shovel or blow snow from in front of homes or in your driveways?  Email [email protected] and we'll let your neighbors know you're available for hire on a per need basis.  Be sure and include contact information and what you charge.

      A choice of new homes to meet your lifestyle and budget are ready for move-in at Mountain View Meadows with more under construction.  Visit our Information & Sales Office at 431 S. Alice Street to tour our right-now homes, view plans to build and check out lot maps.  Have your own plan? Give us a call at 406-449-0800 to arrange a meeting.  The availability of new homes and lots is subject to change so check back often. Below is a listing of some of the new homes ready for move-in or currently under construction.