What's Good Growth?

As we mentioned earlier, we spent a few days in Southwest Florida over the weekend. Wow.

Everywhere you look, homes are being built. 700-unit developments go up in under a year, and square miles are being devoured at blinding speed. Thousands of homes are being built at a time, with no slowdown expected.

It has come at a price. There appears to be very little middle ground in the area. It's either a $400,000 condo or $600,000 home on a golf course, or a trailer park. Additionally, infrastructure hasn't been able to keep up, and traffic is major bitch.

It got us thinking, however, about the difference between there are here. Down there, a 700-unit development is a small player. Here, 70 homes set off alarms, draw out major opposition, and leave officials wringing their hands worried about how such a "large" development would play.

Certainly, there are issues here that aren't really in play in Southwest Florida. A large development would draw families, while Florida draws retirees. Families have kids in school, use more services, so on.

However, there has to be a middle ground. Early in Save Fitchburg's history, City Councilor Dean Tran made a strong argument for housing, and said Fitchburg may have lost its opportunity. Considering the housing situation in Massachusetts, it may not be ever too late. Why can't Fitchburg find more spots for 200, maybe even 300 unit, developments? Why can't it take the lead in the region on housing?

Yes, there are issues in terms of services and infrastructure, but the zoning process currently squeezes all sorts of mitigation from developers. These homes are usually priced above the median, which generates more tax income for the community. Bridal Cross Estates on Rollstone is a good example of the kind of development Fitchburg should pursue more in the future.

Bringing more people into the community -- and creating more housing that will benefit the whole region -- should be a priority. There's a middle ground between the permissive development theories of Southwest Florida and the no-way knee-jerk reaction of New England. Fitchburg should find and make the city a housing-friendly community in the future.