Continuing with our Fact vs. Fiction series:
FACT VS. FICTION #2
Fiction: The developer has a right to do what they want with their land.
Fact: The Supreme Court decisions state that a landowner is entitled to a reasonable economic return on the investment. The argument could be made that the oil that has been pumped from the land for years, is the economic return. Did you know the developer plans to keep several oil wells in production even after the houses are built? Further, our city, county and state are governed by numerous laws that must be followed. These laws are supposed to ensure that people are safe, that projects avoid hazard areas (like earthquake faults), and land uses are compatible, etc. For example, an incompatible land use would be putting a toxic waste dump next to a school or next to houses. So in short, no a developer does not have a “right” to do what they want with their land. Like the rest of the civilized world they too must follow the laws that govern our society.
