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HomeMy WebLinkAbout77-44To The butte County Planning Commission The` Butte County Planning Department The Butte County Board of Supervisors Res The inclusion of economic data in EIRs From.Velma H. Smith, Planning Comtna.ssioner, December 15, 1976 r� r A major conclusion of recent st-udi.esl is that, for a fined number of households, 'rsprawl" is the most expensive' form of residential de-velopment in terms of economic costs, environmental costs, natural resource consumption, and many types of personal costs. it would be helpful,, in mak,-,jng decisions concerning planned development at various densities in relation to sprawl, to be ,,ble to analyze the cost difference for that proportion of .total costs which is likely to be borne by our Local government--i.e., THE TAXPAYERS. f The following direct cost data for the community should be atailable in the EIR of a major project: 1. Capital. Costs. II. Operating and Maintenance 1, open space/recreation Costs of Public or Semi-public 2`. Schools Services: 3. Public facilities 1. Education 4, Utilities 2. Recreation 5. Transportation --streets a: Sewage treatment %nd roads 4. Water supply 5. General government 6. Police & Fire protection 7. Utilities 8. Streets & toads It is intended that this economic data would be only a part of the analysis based upon a comprehensive basis of envir- onmental, social, and economic impacts. Every serious devel- opment proposal deserves to be judged' on its own merits in its own local context. eal. Estate Research Corporation, The Costs of SRrawl., Environmental and Economic Costs of Alternative Residential Patterns at the Urban Fringe. U.S. Government .Printing Office Washington D. C., April 1974. r s C00150rotM- Exovrisiorr ,I f r�Mi�t«rx�rt a �, Ir1f r , Number 10, Nov. -pec., 1972 GROWTH OF A COMMUNITY: WHO WINS.00 'LOSES? What are the real costs and benefits of Three recent studies community growth? But some lona'( planning projects have set That's the question of the decade in this out to analyze costs and benefits of state. Local resistance to unplanned community growth. Among the more recent. community growth (and sometimes to any are reports by the cities of 'Milpitas and growth) is sprouting in California like Palo Alto, and the county of Ventura. poppies in spring. Much of this is gut reaction. Professional planners call it, sardonically, the gang- plank syndrome: "I'm on board; let's pull up the gangplank." That emotional response isn't necessarily good or bad, But it's not enough. Plan - nets and elected officials as well as citizens badly need more facts about the read costs/benefits of city/county/ regional growth. Each is different: The Milpitas study looks at existing land uses --particularly their costs and revenues to local government, The Palo Alto foothills study examines the long-term outlook for costs and benefits to the community from various possible land uses. The Ventura County study analyzes both I- L, Unfortunately, there's a shortage of those e governmental cost -revenue balance and the total economic impact of three possible facts and also of attempts to get them. levels of land development. "Few communities have attempted to sys- r tematically evaluate the costs and benefiits (Kniningr The methotis used in a4l those arising from different tripes or patterns, ntudivs--economicmuZtip liers, otc --ars of development," says Dr. Tom Dickinson, vnportant lout :.)on't deserNizrecJ in this environmental economist in the Division of ar'ticZe. Obviou Zy, specific figures Environmental Studies at U,C.., Davis;. given here don't neoessariZy appZy to ans, othe2' COMMul2 ty., Oenerat comparisons mayx • but even thv)i ,some w kepticism is " A'�Zeas�F,"` vur f, eren rues _ :ons may a re ^ocm�tendrli1: ` invoZvad in any argument over community Vrpza th r —Coats and revenues ,for Zoca'Z government. X nog ,t a new deveZo"ment cost more viz ocr jic as titan ,it pvo.1-t,cces in taxes? �thnc7»t? c: impacts on the communit;r. r. j ; /,,t zgnt;/rwaresfj :t'c�ftiGs genem!r rd by t �d� r �t22)fz t rJpitif:n F.. . r.+ni': rrrtttrt� �z�;czZ r,nj_ caeltn I"onn c: f 1pon �rr.i7> iNd1Y,Zl'l i'tl.'%,f .t�Ct `'t'a.;�)i` 7%i �Nrf�'iyw�5r%r.�1}`,- t ti Milpitas. The Milpitas planners analyzed c osts of city services--schools plan does depend partly or) outside , streets, fire, police, sani tat ion, recreation, financing for the proposed regional or multi-county capital to l im rovements--and city income f�^om p p parks,. property and sales taxes, in lieu payments, licenses, fees, etc. Ventura Count .Concerned mostly with the via cable arni and resource of Ventura County Then they estimated per-acre early cost- �'—,---- --�'— this study analyzed the present economic impact of agriculture on the revenue balances for nine inds of land - use. Five o tTie net effects are minus, county and the economic,, 7mPlicatons of three possible four are plus; patterns of development; Single fancily residential _$1,783 1. Present growth trends through 1980: 2. Somewhat slower Single family townhouses -$1,077 population growth (75% of present trends) and somewhat higher population density in developed Condominium residentialareas -$1 ,202' (20 persons/acre instead of 17.3) . Multiple family residential -$1,105 3. Complete development by 1960, withno agricultural land left. /adult mobile home park *$1,148 The report makes its forecasts in terms of Family mobile home park -$2,138 (1) costs and revenues to local government and (2) total economic impact. On costs and — —the Industrial Industrial x$4,132 revenues to local-government, County report concludes that; Neighborhood commercial *$3,708 --None of the non-agricultural land uses Undeveloped +$51 (residential, industrial, commercial) would pay for itself under any of the alternative Palo Alto. Besides net cost to taxpayers, growth patterns. t e Pao Alto study considered various possible economic, environmental and --Revenue needs for local government would be social effects of land development much greater with more intensive devel- opment. (Presumably, this would alternatives. Each possible effect was weighted--involving, of course, a result in lower levels of government service, or good deal of value judgment--.and then con- higher property taxes and/or more local'' sidered in evaluating areas of undevel- oped land surrounding the city,) 90 � government income from other sources- sales tax, school subventions, etc. The report's conclusion; Most develop- —Agricultural land is an important producer ment in the Palo Alto area won't pay for itself. The report recommended that only of revenue for local government. In one area of Ventura County, the study 70 acres of the nearly 4,700 acres in showed a yearly net gain to local govern- meat of $120 question be developed. It urged, that per acre of farmland. The report states. "From over 4,000 acres be kept in permanent open space, largely in parks; and that a property tax standpoint... agriculture is the _h only another 600 acres be prevented from land use that pays for itself when Indus:- trial and commercial immediate development--by city purchase ' necessary--until and if a clearly property is given a cost based on total urban expenditures by better use becomes apparent, government. Of course, there are revenues derived from urban development other than The report says the cost of all this to; property taxes; but on this basis agri- culture is, from the Palo Alto taxpayers` would be not un- reasonable, a,nd in any public perspective, tate least expensive land use." case far cheaper' than unplanned development. But the t Flowever, local govornment cost/revenue Some other considerate balance is one thing, and economic activity, is another. On total economic im act, the More planning reports that attempt to report conclu es fiat: weigh effects of community growth un- doubtedly will be forthcoming in this --More intensive development means vastly state., They may well be influenced by more economic activity. certain trends and developments; --Under all three growth alternatives, ­11h 3'errano ova. t.?���,i.ont rase aventuaZily residential development would have the maFlGlt� r�1M to ' x�a«`i,L4.0naG syat.om most economic impact on the Ventura County of ZocaZ property. (v,, fj.i�l jaiizg for! achoolcs, area; industrial and commercial somewhat (.t'°i must coanuni.ties, sohool:s uaa the less*, and agriculture the least, bi6geat s .ngZo chunk of property taxaa ) Or tax pattar)ia may chift for o=thar reano"B. i he report says; "(economically, agri- And chanoces in property taxes could change culture cannot compete with urban uses... -the costlrevrnuc baGancc: of varioufi typen if Ventura County simply wants the largest of Zanditse. amount of economic activity possible, it should be prepared to develop all its --The CaZi,.t'grnia Tcznd Conservation Act agricultural land as rapidly as feasible. (A^Miamso)i Act) may be chanaerl in z,420,- However, if the concern is with govern- that i.nflue2zce city growth. mental solvency and environmental quality, it will be necessary to consider agri- --New requirements •F - eni)iroxrmenta7, 6 culture as more than a residual land use." impact ,atatements ..I.T4 i.n5 vie mown: Priends of Marwnoth we which extende Some general ons those requiremants to the private neotvr) could resuZt in belt:er ways of evaZuatiiitr Each of these reports makes most sense in and pradi,cting environ>nciztaZ/evonorni.c/ its own local context. And each makes aocial impacts of city groLth. assumptions that might be disputed. But a couple of general conclusions seem Meanwhile, it seems safe to assume that: justified.. 1. Despite some attempts to do so, 1. Not only are most bedroom-type arbitrarily stopping community growth is subdivisions costly to local taypayers--a virtually impossible--and probably un- fact known for years--but even commercial constitutional, too. The real issue is and industrial development may be a slow and/or-planned growth versus fast financial burden on local government. and/or unplanned growth. Important questions are: How much and what kind of residential development and a. .It's somewhat misleading to talk other community costs will be generated about the cost-benefit balance of growth by a new business or industry?Is it for a community as a whole. (Even though capital-intensive or labor-intensive? this article started out by doing so.) (Other things being equal, capital- That's because the "balance" will differ intensive businesses are more likely to - for different, people, and sometimes for pay off for local government.) the same person in different roles. The real issue is the question of equity 2 Agriculture is one land use that within the community--who gets what usually pays far more in local' taxes than benefit, and who pa.ys what cost? it costs in services. Farmland also provides= open space. But, unfortunately, it generates only a small fraction of the jobs and income that more intensive development does. y -4- A CHECKLIST FOR COMMUNITIES FACING GROWTH Assume that: As an aid to those trying to make sense rY „ �� 10 years ago, town X gave reasonably of all this, Dickinson has prepared a checklist that systematically outlines good services to its citizens in return for their taxes. (1) possible extra costs of city services and (2) sources of extra revenue asso- --You live in the fourth subdivision ciated with growth. Following is a boiled down version. that's been added to town "X" since that time. ('The list is oriented toward residential --A builder ,wants to add subdivision growth, but possible costs/benefits of more commerce or industry can be chocked number five. off here, too. Also, keep in mind the --You think more growth would be a "feedback" between commercial -industrial and residential development --particularly disaster. (More traffic congestion,and a new fire station, at least; maybe double the extra costs caused by commerce and industr'., sessions or a new school.) needed to service the new homes,` and vice versa.) --You're probably right. I. Costs Question Can you argue against growth? A. Costs of required expansion Answer; Why not? (Almost everybody 1. Fire and police else is.) But one thing you cant do You can't logically blame the proposed more personnel new subdivision for creating the need additional police cars, for a new fire station or a new school; you and your neighbors have contributed fire trucks and other tto , that,too: Some im ortant costs of equipment more police and fire oinuni ro wtn aren t fe t-unti a certain size is reached--ana ten t e stations and additional facilities accumulated bill for Past growt suddenly comesdue.- 2. Sewerage This may seem obvious, but it's often forgotten," says UCD environmental additional fines, connections, economist Tom Dickinson, right -of -Way additional pumping stations There are, Dickinson points out, three expansion of sewage treatment facilities distinct kinds of costs associated with community growth; 3. Solid waste collection 1. Costs of required expansion --costs additional personnel that develop at certain stages in a additional trucks and other community's growth. Examples: A new equipment city hall, or another fire station, additional disposal sites 2 Costs of additional loads onthe existing system. 3, Environmental and other non - quantifiable costs, "One can look at the question of additional development from an accounting standpoint, attempting to weigh the revenue gains in the forms of taxes, fees, licenses and fines against 'the costs in terms of schools, police and fire protection --all the necessi".ies required by additional population. However, it 'is a,: , possible -to look at the question in terms of economic activity, ^iably, what any locality is interested in is developing what its res. ,s consider a reasonable balance between industrial, commercial and residential growth. "A quick look at the tax rates of suburban bedroom communities indicates that the production of residential units, to the exclusicn of other €'orms of land use, creates a tremendous burden upon the taxpayer. The ','-ade-off is that the taxpayer enjoys, perhaps, a better environ- ment -one that is more interesting to live in, with lower levels of air, water and noise pollution." --Dickinson 6. Schools for existing equipment and facilities more teachers, admin'istratdrs' and staff 2. Sewerage additional school buildings and other facilities decrease in personnel more equipment and supplies efficiency lower quality of treatment 7: Parks and recreation increased maintenance costs more park planners, super- 3. Solid waste visory personneland other manpower reduction in personnel expansion of parks, play- efficiency grotnids; greenbel is and less service to existing areas. recreation facilities high maintenance costs additional oquipment 4. Water supply 0 Civic facilities additional facilities expansion of offi,es additional libraries, (1) 'water mains " meeting rooms, museums, etc. 2) home connections more personnel 3 wells 4; pumps 9. Other local government services (5) treatment facilities more manpower additional right-of-way more equipment additional maintenance and more facilities operation staff B. Costs of additional loads on the 5. Streets and parking existin s stem '- additional road construction 1. Fire and police and alteration additional personnel lowerpersonnel efficiency additional equipment lower levels of service to additional parking existing areas facilities increased maintenance costs "One can look at the question of additional development from an accounting standpoint, attempting to weigh the revenue gains in the forms of taxes, fees, licenses and fines against 'the costs in terms of schools, police and fire protection --all the necessi".ies required by additional population. However, it 'is a,: , possible -to look at the question in terms of economic activity, ^iably, what any locality is interested in is developing what its res. ,s consider a reasonable balance between industrial, commercial and residential growth. "A quick look at the tax rates of suburban bedroom communities indicates that the production of residential units, to the exclusicn of other €'orms of land use, creates a tremendous burden upon the taxpayer. The ','-ade-off is that the taxpayer enjoys, perhaps, a better environ- ment -one that is more interesting to live in, with lower levels of air, water and noise pollution." --Dickinson 6. Schools for existing equipment and facilities more teachers, admin'istratdrs' and staff 2. Sewerage additional school buildings and other facilities decrease in personnel more equipment and supplies efficiency lower quality of treatment 7: Parks and recreation increased maintenance costs more park planners, super- 3. Solid waste visory personneland other manpower reduction in personnel expansion of parks, play- efficiency grotnids; greenbel is and less service to existing areas. recreation facilities high maintenance costs additional oquipment 4. Water supply C. environmental, and other nonce guantifiab1e costs lower quality of service increased maintenance (There such cost's in all of costs for equipment the nine service areas, but only the more significant ones are 5. Streets and parking listed here.) more traffic congestion 1. Sewerage more accidents more signs and traffic increased pollution caused Controls by increased effluent flow more use of parking of equal or lower quality; facilities higher maintenance costs 2,. Solid waste_ (1) streets ( additional air, water, and 2) parking facilities soil pollution from solid (3) maintenance equipment waste disposal sites. decrease in efficiency of 3. Water supply road maintenance 6. Schools possible overdraft of ground- water lower personnel efficiency possible depletion of surface water supplies and flows (1 larger classes possible diminution of water (2� possible double quality sessions 4. Streets and parking higher maintenance costs increased air pollution 7. Parks and recreation 0 mors volume of traffic decrease in personnel r - (2� higher traffic density efficiency increased noise pollution decrease in level of service increased amounts of imper to other areas vious surface affecting overcrowding of facilities decline in recreational use (1) runoff of facilities (2 stream flows increased maintenance costs groundwater recharge 8i Civic facilities 5 Miscellaneous costs more demands on personnel (1) loss of amenities because crowding of facilities of urban sprawl higher maintenance costs (2) increased conflict between Other local government -servo -es urban and non -urban land uses decrease in personnel (3) displacement of land uses efficiency which may have been better suited though not economic reduce-' service to other areas (4) alteration of landscapes creased maintenance costs on by cuts; fills, leveling, in isting facilities and etc. equi pment Revenues from acidic nalvel o m�_ent A. Taxes Property tax Sales tax & use tax Other tUes B Subventions and grants Liquor license fees Trailer Coach fees_ Motor vehi-cle license fees Cigarette tax funds Motor vehicle gas tax State freeway fund Federal airport agency grant Federal sewer grant C. Licenses Fees, and Permits Business licenses Bicycle licenses Building inspections' Plumbing inspections Electrical inspections Sewer inspections plan checking fees Zoning fees Parking fees Water fees Park fees Sewer fees W/1Tr �„U-\Lm CO14TROI»,L1 ANVjNG uC s, ROLE The last issue of this newsletter described the massive, statewide compre- hensive water duality planning program being organized by the State Water Resources Control Board, regional boards and various contractors. Now, something else can be added; The role of the University of California -in that planning process. By agreement of the State Board and UC's Division Uf Agricultural Sciences, a group of UC water scientists has been made available from the Experiment Station and Agricultural Extension. On request of those doing the actual planning work, this UC group will help define agricultural water problems, identify data sources, interpret data, review proposed plans, and comment on technical aspects. It's emphasized that full responsibility for the actual planning remains with the contractors and the reg'iona'l and state boards CALIFORNIA'S rNVIRONMCNT INDEX (Jan. 1972 -pec. 1972) Air Polltition; Who's Looking For What Answers? fJumber 8 July, p,8 Nitrogen OxiJes: Crucial Ingredient in Air Pollution California's New Pesticide Controls Number 9, Sept. -Oct,, p,.3 Number 6, Jan., p.5 Pesticide -Resistant Mosquitoes Are e Still California's Population Bomb Number 7, April, p.1 With Us Number 8, July, p.5 Checklist for Cormunities r�_tun7t _ 9 Number 10, Nov. -Dec,, p Facing Growth "Salt Balance'" A Pro Problem Water Management in Soil and Number 8, July, p,l Envirarnnental Bookshelf Number 6 Jan., 1972, p,5 Taxes an Trees:; A Problem in Forest Number 9, Septa -Oct., p.6 Management Number 8, July, p:l Impact Statements:_ .New Phenomenon of the Cnvironmenfal Age Number The �J;1lamson Flet and State Land -Use policy (supplement) 7 Apri'I, p.2 Number 7, April Manure Disposal: A -Problem of Pollution, Regulation and Costs Three Studies of Community Growth in California Number 6, Jan., p.1 Number 10, Nov. -Dec,, P.l Manure HoldingPondsDant Pollute Number 7, April, Water Loss: SomethinKa Else to Think About In Power Plant Siting p.5 Number, Ju1yy, p.5 Monterey Basin Project Looks Toward Large -Scale Environmental MonitoringWater Quality Control Pl anning: A Number 9, Sept. -Oct., p,5 Challenge For Agriculture Number 9, Sept. -Oct.., p.l New State Pollution Control Agency Aims At Solid Wastes Number 9, Sept. -Oct., p.4 FROM THE EDITORS: Your comments are invited. The address California, Davis, California, 95616. phone: is Agricultural Extension, Uni'versit of (916) 752-1934 y or'752 0570, 'Victor P. Osterl Program header, S ocial Projects P Raymond Coppock Communications Specialist The Universityof California Agricultural Extension programs are available to al without regard to race, color or national origin: 1° *aelZ/1!l/1C CQMMI SS I ONERS THIS is Commissioner Watters response to the matter of data needed to evaluate fiscal imnacts Hazel X. Costs A. Costs of required expansion I. Fire and police , more personnel additional police cars, fire trucks and other equipment more police and fire stations and additional facilities 2. Sewerage 6Schools i more teachers, administrator's, I and staff additional school buildings and other facilities more equipment and supplies 7. Parks and recreation more park planners, super- visory personnel and other ma npower expansion of parks, play- grounds, greenbelts and recreation facilities additional equipment B. Civil,, facilities additional lines, connections, expansion of offices right-of-way additional libraries, additional pumping stations meeting rooms, museums, etc. expansion of sewage treatwent more personnel facilities 9. Other local government services 3. Solid waste collection more manpower additional personnel more equipment additional trucks and other more facilities equipment additional disposal sites B,-- Costs of additional loads on the - i existin '. _ s s tem 4. Water supply 1, Fire and police additional facilities lower personnel efficiency (1) water mainslower levels of service to _(2) home connections existing areas (3) wells Q increased maintenance costs (4) pumps for existing equipment and (5) treatment facilities faclit;es additional right-of-wny 2• Sewerage_ additional maintenance and operation staff decrease in personnel efficiency 5. Streets and parking lower quality of treatment i increased maintenance costs additional road construction and alteration 3, Solid waste � additional additional personnel equipment reduction in personnel additional parking efficiency facilities less service tp existing areas high maintenance costs 4. "Mater supply lower quality of service �� If.�Revenues from additional develgpljrt_ increased maintenance , costs for equipment A Taxes 5. Streets and parking operty tax Sales tax b use tax more traffic congestion Other taxes more accidents more signs and traffic C. Subventions and granas controls more use of parking Liquor, license fet,s facilities Trailer Coach fees higher maintenance costs Motor vehicle license fees Cigarette tax funds (1) streets Motor vehicle gas tax (2) parking facilitios , State freeway fund 73) maintenance equipment Federal airport agency grana Federal sewer grant decrease in efficiency of road maintenance C. Li,-.ensesi Feess and Permi' 6. Schools Business licenses Bicycle licenses lower personnel efficiency Building inspections Plumbing inspections (1) larger classes Electrical inspections (2) possible double Seger inspections sessions Plan checking fees Zoning fees higher maintenance costs Parking fees Water fees 7. Parks and recreatior ?ark fees Sewer, tees decrease in personnel efficiency decrease in level of service to other areas overcrowding of facilities decline in recreational ulna: of facilities increased maintenance costs S. Civic facilities more demands, on personnel crowding of facilities h;rner maintenance costs . Other local government services' decrease in personnel efficiency reduced service to other areas .' i'ncreased maintenance costs on existing fricilities and equipment Skv ►CRSTCO DRAFT OF LAR TO WARD Or SUPERVISORS IBRO x ANNING 0iM119! ON (and Board of Zoning Adjustment)' SUBJ8M EWNOMIC IMWAC`t INFOkKOMON FOR EIRIS' Submitted byt Priscilla Hanford Gentlemeni The Planning Commission and the Board of Zoning Adjustment Would like to bring to your Board's attentic,zi i isratto:r we consider of vital importance In carrying out our duties. For some time, we have been con- cerned that environmental impact review of major projects is Incomplete without adequate coverage of the crucial aspect of economic impact. Tho Commission and the Board of Zoning Ad;jus.tment feel str+;ngt„y that the taxpayers of Butte County are not well -served unless ovaluatioxl of projects can include a careful weighing of both the costs and benefits of such projects to the taxpayer It is relatively easy for an applicant to provide e4t4matPs of tax revenmes generated by his project the benefits - and we note that such information has generally been included in an E.I.R. In order to arrive at a reasonable determination In the public interest, howevoro it is essential to have ;information on the costs to taxpayers of p,lovid:ing` !:.he full 'range of public servicas to a prpposed major development. This kind of information has not generally been avallableg and on frequent occasions the brimission has so noted this lack:, most xec4ntly In regard to the Stoneson Development Corporation rezoning application.'' 4t should be pointed out, of course, that absence of such informatibri can render an E.I.R. inadequate by CV: A guidelines, and is one of the points addressed in the current lawsuit by the City ,;f Chico. In response to oiir requests, as in the Stoneson Lxa,, review, staff has made us aware of the difficulty of Obtaining lhfoirmation on public casts. The manner in which su;h records etre kept at county' and special district levels makes this data difficult to retrieve ap'e ka wires consideralle, additional time and manpower in research. The present laver of sta`fing' in the Planning Department has made it impossible for the Environmental Coordinator to provide us with this vital information. We understand that your board has recently implemented a nett' Environmental Agencyr removing this function from the Planning Department. And replacing the Environmental Review Committee with a single -,man "agency" under the Administrative Office. Not having ,boon made aware of the reasons for this reorganization, we are understandably uncertain of ,its implica- tions for our works particularly in regard to effective communication and coordination of envSronmental review with the decision-making process of the Commission and the Board of Zoning Adjustment* in your organization of this now agency, we urge your attention to the matter of adequate. staffingg in order that economic imvact of major projects be seriously Addressed in environmental reviewe The'interests of Butte County taxpayers cannot be well -served without consideration of public costs in land -use decisions* Respeotfully submitted, Planning Commission Board of Zoning' Adjustment BUTTE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - November 18, 1976 C, ENVIRONMENTAL. IMPACT REPORTS Discussion as to hnw best to Obtain needed information Particularly concerning economic impact. Regarding the Cocoon; 5'sioaersl expressed concerns regarding citizens' input and appeal, Counsol assured them that these rights would be Protected by the new environmental review guidelines which are being prepared# Concerns were again expressed about the lack of compilation of data by the County of Butte in a form that can be translated into usable —iformation to be made a Part Of an environmental impact report—inso- far as the cost to community taxpayers of a development is concerned. Commissioner Smith said that good information is available in other counties and surely such information could be worked up here. She suggested that a publication by the Real Estate Research Corporation in 1974, entitled, "Cost of Sprawl", mioht be helpful. Chairman Hanford continued this item for two weeks and requested that the Commissioners each bring a draft of a statement of their feelings concerning the importance of the receipt of information concerning the economic impact of a project, BUTTE COUNTY PLAN'NIN.G COMMISSION MINUTE S -� December 7, 1976 4. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Staff was instructed to place on next Commission agenda tb matter of how best to obtain needed information particularly concerning economic impact-IPJ REFERENCE TO ENVIROINMENTAL IMPACT REPORTS. The Commissioners were asked to submit, in writing, theirthoughts on the matter--to staff.for dis tr'ibution to other members prior -to that time. Staff was also requested to make every effort td furnish Commissioners with reports, maps, etc: oertaining to agenda -items that have been long continued.