Growth: How much is too much?

It’s Wednesday, so let’s talk about Citrus County growth.

As in…is it too fast, too slow, or just right?

Now, before readers jump down my throat with what they consider the obvious answer let’s examine exactly what we’re asking.

---

Because I’m not the one who asked. The county did.

Tucked into the Trust for Public Land poll on the ill-fated sales tax was this question: “Do you think Citrus County is growing and developing…?”

There was a Three Bears approach for respondents to complete that question: Too fast, too slowly, and about right.

• Too fast: 67%
• Too slowly: 2%
• About right: 29%

And a few others wouldn’t answer the question. But there you have it: Two-thirds of county residents believe we’re growing and developing too fast.

Let’s break it down.

First off, I’d like to have a Cattle Dog chat with folks in that 2% who say we’re developing too slow. I cannot imagine in what world a Citrus Countian reaches that conclusion. Perhaps a world where driving on county roads isn’t necessary.

The real debate is between “too fast” and “about right.”

Anytime there’s a poll question without context, it’s difficult to find true meaning. This was the only question that referenced growth. I’m guessing — again, no context — that the pollsters wanted to tickle our growth funny bone so we’re more eager to say yes to a sales tax referendum. If that was the strategy, it clearly failed. 

The problem with tossing out a question without context is that we don’t know what the respondent had in mind. He may have just sat grumbling through three traffic light changes on S.R. 44 in Inverness, thus part of the "too fast" crowd. Another motorist sitting through those same three light changes, but thankful it’s not six light changes like his former home in Fort Myers, is in the "about right" category.

See what I mean? Same traffic, different perspectives.

If I’m in the pro-growth line of work, I’d be worried about that 29% number. By the County Commission’s own poll, only a minority are happy with the board’s growth policies and development votes. No one is winning elections with 29%. 

So, the real number is 67%. Two-thirds of those polled said they’ve had enough. What are we to glean from this?

The county has a consultant to update the Comprehensive Plan. They’ve had workshops, and I know many citizens are participating.

Just being real here, but I don’t think the comp plan update is going to nudge that 67% much, unless the new comp plan somehow DISCOURAGES growth. That is extremely unlikely. 

The challenge facing county commissioners and candidates is trying to decipher what citizens really want.

I mean, we can’t stop growth. You know that, right? I’m not the first to point out that all the residential growth we’re seeing is organic, coming from new homes built on lots platted decades ago. The thousands of new homesites that the County Commission approved over the last four years are still awaiting development.

So, when folks say we’re growing too fast, I ask: What do you want to do about that?

I’m serious. What, exactly, is bothersome about growth? Other than the traffic that drives most of us nuts, isn’t it a good thing that people and businesses want to invest in our community? Or, are we just so darned tired of seeing trees flattened and every speck of dirt covered in asphalt?

There’s a psychological effect to all this, and I cannot wait to hear the County Commission candidates discuss it.

This is one of the biggest County Commission elections in decades. With no sales tax referendum, the District 2 and District 4 campaigns will truly reflect if citizens are happy with the county’s growth/development direction, or not.

Too fast? Too slow? Or about right?

We’ll find out in a few short months.

Have an awesome Wednesday, friends.

Join the discussion on our Facebook page.
​
Enjoying the blog? Please consider supporting it at Venmo, PayPal, or Patreon.