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A recent Folks and AQD Forum featured Dr. Jeff Allen of Clemson's Strom Thurmon Institute who laid out South Carolina's development past and future. Currently SC, a relatively small state, ranks 9th in land development in the nation. The I-85 corridor will see some of the most rapid increases since it connects two of the fastest growing cities, Atlanta #2 and Charlotte #6.

Dr. Allen points out that SC's rapid population growth is exaggerated by the even more rapid development of land. A 15% growth in population leads to a 78% growth in land development. That's a 1:5 ratio. With new residents come shopping centers, parking lots, more roads, schools etc. Dr Allen's study of 8 upstate counties does not anticipate a slowing of population growth. However more efficient development of land could result in lower ratios, such as 1:3.

Brad Wyche, Exec. Director of Upstate Forever indicated that we are 9th in land development but 40th in state funding to preserve lands. However he pointed to the Stumphouse Mountain preservation as an example of what such funding can accomplish with the support of local government and citizens. He also shared the success of Montgomery County Maryland that enacted Transfer of Development Rights where 3000 transactions preserved 40,000 acres while benefiting land owners and developers. He also shared how citizen-government groups are planning growth in a conservative community in Utah to create efficient land development while benefiting the citizens. One of the driving forces is that, with planning, development of schools, roads, water, sewage and services will cost government and tax payers about half as much to develop.

The bottom line from both of these speakers is that people are coming and unplanned growth and land development is expensive, inefficient, and unnecessary.

Additional Info: News Release by Upstate Forever (pdf 125k)