we have let the builders/developers/ run wild and now we have innocent people in the water. You sound like you feel sorry for the developers and hate the builders and taxpayers. The builders wouldn't have such a large playground without the developers to open the way...you didn't make yours trying? I'm not sorry. You feel you got left out? you led the parade...get in line behind the taxpayers...They paid their way.

Years ago, a real estate class instructor said the thing that would limit growth around Atlanta was WATER! Some found it hard to believe but he was so right. I can't see any reason to keep packing us in like sardines to make some developer happy and rich and leave us holding the bag for it.

This just has to stop. We need to help our homeowners out and keep the lemming developers from running off the cliff and taking everyone else with them.

if only it would be so. But the other side argues that it is about property rights. If someone owns a property, then they have a right to do what they want with that property. If a developer comes along and purchases a tract of land, it is theirs to do with as they wish. Don't bother us with details, such as...what? 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 the stores across the street are already vacant? Go ahead and build more...or...go ahead and build that drug store right next to that other drug store. The developer knows that it is up to the market to regulate this, not "the people" {government}. Keep the faith.

Democracy is not a spectator sport.

Perhaps the slow down of the economy is a "good" thing for this exercise.

But the other side argues that it is about property rights

With talk like that, it sounds like you're close to the political "center". Perhaps even close to the dreaded "Independent" label.
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It is about property rights. I should have the right maintain the landscape on my property.

It is hard to take cries of "water shortage" seriously when we are still builing cluster homes. If the water shortage gets bad enough I have enough property surrounding my home to drill a well. I don't think the cluster home people will be able to do that. Hopefully buying water off of a truck won't be too expensive for them.

Yes, we do have many vacant stores in PTC. Developers keep building more to use as a tax write-off. Most developers don't live here so they don't have to live with the urban blight.

now, how do we make sure, if the developers want to come in and build to their discretion, that we are able to counter them and get them to back off? Keep the faith.

Democracy is not a spectator sport.

First of all everything comes and goes in cycles. Both economically and ecologically. That is why I said we need a temporary emergency moritorium. The economy will turn around, and so will the drought. It is just a matter of when.

I don't think we can get the developers to back off without a temporary moritorium. This is perfect place for them to create a tax write-off.

I have a lot more feelings for the taxpayer/homeowner than I do a developer. The homeowner has sat here for years and paid taxes to support the system. The developer comes in with no other interest than to make money and get out.

We ...CAN... put a moratorium on building..as I said, Troup county did it. This is why we have planning committees and Town councils and Fayette county commissioners. I sat there one night and heard Greg Dunn turn down a developer flat. No apologies, I got the impression he felt the developer should apologise for such a ludicrous suggestion. He said it wasn't in keeping with what Fayette county wanted. No 1 acre lots in unincorporated Fayette and he wasn't about to start it. That other people had bought their 3/5 acres to put up a house and so could this one.

So, you think stopping development is the answer?
Do you live in a subdivision? Why was it ok to build the subdivision you live in but its not ok to keep building them?
If I own(and pay taxes on) property and have for years, is it your, or the governments right to tell me I cant get the best use from said property?
If I am a developer and have just spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to obtain land and put in utilities. Is it ok to bankrupt me by telling me I cant build homes on my land?
No, It is our county commisioners job to hold steady on the land use plan already established to keep quality of life what it is, and it is your job to vote them out if they do not do so.

STATE OF GEORGIA
COUNTY OF TROUP.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, unincorporated Troup County is experiencing unprecedented and widespread residential development and growth throughout the County; and, Troup County is in the process of developing and/or amending its comprehensive zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations, standards and requirements with its continuing development of its land use maps and comprehensive land use plan and its development of a Long range strategy for handling residential growth and development; Traup County finds that the ordered regulation of land use and residential development by and through Ehe zoning, re-zoning and subdivision of property is necessary to protect public health, safety, welfare and property values of the citizens of Troup County.