AdvanceChristiansburg

We visited Smithfield Plantation three weeks ago on a lazy Sunday afternoon, and afterwards took our dog on a walk around the VT Cross Country Course that meanders around and throughout the beautiful former plantation.  After taking the tour of the homeplace, the guide ushered us into the gift shop, the last room in the basement before leaving.  In there I was looking through a book of quotes by Thomas Jefferson.  There was one in there that's stuck with me since, and I thought I'd share it:  "Information is the currency of democracy."  Simple, poignant, and intuitively obvious.  I've also thought about how the world has changed since Jefferson's time -- technical advances and the billions of dollars we've invested in "information technology".  A good question for pondering is:  How has government kept pace with these explosions in capacity?  Sure, there's certainly more information, and access to information, but I wonder what  T. J. would think of our progress if were alive today.  No deep thoughts or diatribes, merely an interesting historical observation.

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On a totally unrelated subject, but one that will liven up the dog days of summer for anyone with even a passing interest in  'land use', I'm including below one of the best reference pieces that I've ever come across; I've used it numerous times since it was provided to me three or four years ago.  It's clear, concise and obviates even the most complex land use conundrums ... Enjoy!

TEN RULES OF LAND USE - by Karen Collins of Henderson County, NC 

1.  Never assume that undeveloped land in your neighborhood will always remain so.  Unless you own it, count on something else being built there.

2.  Water runs downhill.  Unless you live at the top, you will probably experience stormwater runoff problems.

3.  Sprawl is the latest enemy of people and planners.  Unfortunately, the only thing Americans hate more than sprawl is density.

4.  Not all land is zoned.  If property near you is not zoned, then think of the most obnoxious use conceivable and picture it in your community.

5.  If you are not native to this area, whatever attracted you here will likely attract others.  This phenomenon is known as growth.

6.  Land values are driven by supply and demand.  Taxes are based on land values.  These things change.

7.  There are significant differences between public and private roads.  If you must live on a private road, be prepared to pay for it.

8.  Wells and septic tend to fail.  Make no mistake about this.

9.  If your land is so located that it is safe from annexation or incorporation, it is probably a prime candidate for a landfill, prison, utility tower, quarry or reservoir.

10.  In land use issues, the common good usually prevails.  Never assume that you know what the common good is.