Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: The "Burden on Local Schools" Argument against Development

[Diana Carroll (dianac]

At 10:17 AM 4/7/2003 -0700, you wrote:
> What do you have, 500 kids?? ... Also, your
> property taxes will be added to the city coffers, and isn't school part of
> what we are supposed to get in return for taxes?

Wow, this makes me realize how different things are in
different areas.  In Mass. residential property taxes are not sufficient
to cover educational expenses, so each child is an additional
"burden" whose expense must be made up some other way (grants
from the state, non-residential property taxes, etc.)

I think it is great that your co-housing development improved
property values over all.  It think part of our problem is
that people fear it will *decrease* property values.  In
west suburban Boston, most communities are quite affluent,
with astronomical property values, excellent school districts,
and one or two acre minimum lot size (per house).  Cohousing,
with its dense development, is perceived as lowering surrounding
property values. :-(

I read your message with envy and thought: geez, it would be
nice to be *welcomed* with open arms, as we would be if we
could make the same sort of unequivocal improvement to the
neighborhood you did!  Are you in an urban area?

Peace,
D!



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