Re: A Question about LVT

royls@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
On Wed, 17 May 2006 11:01:37 GMT, Michael Scheltgen
<mjs818@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:


royls@xxxxxxxxx wrote:

On Sun, 14 May 2006 22:46:27 GMT, Michael Scheltgen
<mjs818@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:


I was discussing these issues with a friend and it seems to me that any system like this would be killed by the wasteful slobs living in the sprawl because it would make their mortgage X times or more the actual property value at the stroke of a pen.

See also the article about Fannie Mae posted in this ng.

Hi Roy, What do you think of the agricultural land reserve here in BC? Thanks.


Hate it. It's basically a band-aid measure to prevent sprawl that
would not happen if the land rent was not being given away to
landowners for doing nothing. It's also, of course, a big factor in
corruption of civic governments and local planning, and in the chronic
insane housing costs in BC.

-- Roy L


I agree with you. How would you knock down the arguments below?

From the SmartGrowthBC webpage:
http://www.smartgrowth.bc.ca/index.cfm?Group_ID=3404

Protecting scarce agricultural land is a key smart growth strategy for a number of reasons.

* Farmland provides natural capital and a source of local economic opportunities. A healthy agricultural sector helps diversify the provincial economy, supporting the livelihood of over two hundred thousand British Columbians.

* Agricultural products increase our food security and supply and reduce our dependence on imported foods and therefore associated costs and impacts.

* Diverse farmlands create a variety of wildlife habitats and support bio-diversity.

* Open, green spaces near urban areas are a valuable resource, adding amenity value and providing scenic landscapes, recreation opportunities, and contribute to our enjoyment of BC’s expansive outdoors.

* The agricultural land reserve has acted as an effective urban growth boundary protecting against development and urban sprawl since its legislation was created in 1973.
.