THE POLITICS OF LOCAL GROWTH CONTROL

Local growth controls are categorized as controlling class composition, growth location, or growth rate. Literature concerning the motives for adopting these types of growth controls is examined. Four case studies are presented, two involving growth rate controls and two concerned with growth phasing (locational) controls. Our findings agree with earlier ones that tax minimization and quality of services are the chief motives for rate and location controls, followed by “environmental protection,” often meaning view protection or preventing traffic increases. Agricultural protection was a major factor in two of the cases. We found no desires for economic exclusion or property value enhancement in the adoption of the controls. Questions remain, however, concerning the exclusionary effect of perpetuating rate controls.