As seen in the July 9th, 2010 Nixa Xpress...
After some reflection, I have decided that I did a disservice to residents that attended the June 21st meeting of the Nixa City Council that held a public hearing on the rezoning of the Highland Ridge East subdivision. Not a disservice in that I made the wrong decision, or that I did not spend enough time reviewing the facts, but that I did not layout my reasoning for those who, for almost 4 hours, so passionately provide their perspective to me.
I will start by saying that I had not made a decision before that night. I was in a dilemma. I am against rezoning in general. People invest in their homes with a specific set of rules in place. But, I also strongly believe in property owner's rights. I will always weigh-in on the side of freedom when it comes to government's intrusion on our rights and property.
In this case these two principals were in direct contradiction. The members of the surrounding subdivisions purchased their homes with a certain future in mind, while the developers felt a different use was more practical due to current financial conditions. Without a deciding principal to direct me, I did as I often do - I made a list. A list of the reasons for and against the issue. Then, as I listened to the developers and the public I tried to find truth in what was presented to support or reject those items.
My list of reasons for rezoning was short and to the point; it would provide new development in Nixa, that there is a need for affordable senior housing, the project would generate additional tax revenues for the city and that it would further the completion of Old Castle Road.
Throughout the discussions I heard nothing to make me reject any of these. Both sides, with some difference as to degree, agreed that these facts were true. That being said, I didn't find any of these as an overwhelmingly compelling reason to vote in favor of the rezoning.
The reasons against rezoning were more complex. Many of these - from charges of outright corruption against city government, to paperwork snafus at City Hall - just clouded the real issues. After sifting through them, I came up with 3 that I felt had true merit.
Increased traffic on Old Castle Road
The fact is that road was designed to handle the complete development of everything in the northeast Nixa. This minor zoning change wouldn't change that. Plus, further development of Old Castle to CC will bring us closer to resolving many traffic issues in that area.
Government subsidized housing would increase crime and lower property values
The problem with this point is that the developers can, and already have, built lesser value homes in that area. There are already numerous multi-family properties and zonings closer to most of the neighbors, along with lower valued sub-divisions than the one proposed. Furthermore, Nixa is made up of many different types of people. I will never be one to say that a group of citizens, based off only socio-economic status, is better or worse than another.
Not what the homeowners were promised
Over the last 20 years developers have often taken advantage of Nixa. But this lead me to the most compelling reason for voting yes. Consider what might happen to the Columns if PGH fails? They could scrap the covenants and build anything in those neighborhoods. Housing prices and quality would suffer. By making these changes in a separate subdivision, this allows the Columns to be kept whole and protects those who have invested there.
The most distressing thing I heard was that we were not listening to the people. I know that I did listened to the people of Nixa. Those that live in that area and those that don't. I spent hours on the phone, reviewing emails and talking to people. What I heard was it "sounds bad" in the paper and on the news. But, I also heard that most trusted me and the other council members to get the complete information and make the best decision for everyone - and that is what I believe we did.
