The Conservative Case Against the Suburbs

Since 2000, Lake Wylie has tripled in population to 12,000 on the strength of its good schools, low taxes and proximity to Charlotte’s jobs in the financial and technology sectors. But those schools are filling up, the water system frequently fails under increased demand and 20-mile commutes are stretching to 90 minutes.

Now, the town that grew too fast wants to stop growth.

In December, the York County Council, which is led by Republicans, put a 16-month moratorium on commercial and residential rezoning requests and consideration of any new apartment complexes or subdivisions. It is the most comprehensive ban so far in a state where fast-growing cities are temporarily blocking everything from dollar stores to student housing, the Municipal Association of South Carolina said.

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She said Lake Wylie has been filling up with gas stations and look-alike subdivisions (“I call them ‘Whovilles’”) with no plan for what type of development is needed. There are seven car washes and six self-storage facilities along the town’s main artery, but few restaurants and doctors’ offices.

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More than 80% of Lake Wylie’s population was born in another state and 40% of its households have school-age children, according to the U.S. Census.

The local school district is seeking to pay for at least three new schools with a $15,000 impact fee applied to the cost of a newly built house. The Clover School District, which includes Lake Wylie, modeled its proposal on the neighboring Fort Mill School District, which saw a slowdown in construction after raising its fee two years ago to $18,000 from $2,500.

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ImTheCaptain said:

i mena, play some Sim City, guys

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Deacon923 said:

all my greatest hits are popping up. First the boating thread, now this.

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