Creation of New Neighborhoods that Encourage Sustainability

Believe it or not there is still land available in or near Boone that could be used to create more housing options for people wanting to live closer to town. The first thing I would do is examine our current sub-division rules to make sure that they are not discouraging new housing in town. From here, I would prioritize our needs in neighborhoods. These priorities could include affordability, erosion control, water retention and viewshed concerns. Using this list, I would encourage cottage type housing on small lots with enough green space to absorb storm water and enough trees to protect the viewshed. My point from here is that we should be encouraging housing in town rather than in the county where people are more dependent on the automobile and where the environment is more disturbed due to extended infrastructure demands.

Furthermore, I think it would be great if these new neighborhoods incorporated sustainable development techniques such as solar technology, energy efficiency, rain gardens, and water conservation. That way, even if the mortgage payment is high, they could at least save money on gas and utility bills. Another added benefit of creating new neighborhoods would be to provide jobs for local residents including ASU students--in particular, ASU students in the technology department who could apply their knowledge to these new neighborhoods.

Encourage more Neighborhoods based on the Model of Grand Blvd.

Encourage more neighborhoods like Grand Blvd. Here is a neighborhood that wouldn’t fit half of the current regulations (including the Steep Slope and Viewshed Ordinances) yet it’s one of Boone’s best and most desirable neighborhoods. Also, as a bonus, if you live in this neighborhood and work either on King St. or on the ASU campus, you have the option of walking to work if you wanted to. What a way to reduce traffic!!!

Allow Duplex and Triplex Style Housing in Single Family Neighborhoods

The duplex and triplex style housing would be geared toward young professionals (either single or married) and would offer a lower cost alternative to an entire house. The single-family zoning laws would still apply to protect the neighorhood from student invasion.

For my Position Essay on Affordable Housing: Cick Here