In 2006 Saint Index^©, U.S. Attitudes Against Land-Use Development Grow Deeper, More Widespread

HINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the second year, The Saint Index^©, The Saint Consulting Group’s autumn phone survey of 1,000 Americans finds Americans strongly opposed to real estate development. Twice as many actively oppose development as support it.

Saint Consulting – the foremost analyst in land-use politics [www.tscg.biz] – initiated the Index in late 2005 to assess attitudes and activism towards real estate development. “Americans are looking for ways to stop development,” says Patrick Fox, president. “The survey has begun to yield trends.”

NIMBY prevails in most sectors. Nearly three-quarters of Americans oppose development in their communities – though projects they oppose [landfills, quarries, power plants, and Wal-Mart] would be acceptable elsewhere.

Politics and development

75% of respondents give their local elected officials a C or worse, when deciding what gets built in their communities – or not. And 75% say that the relationship between elected officials and developers makes the permitting process unfair, vs. 70% last year. In a Kelo-decision backlash, 71% support state laws that halt the use of eminent domain for private development.

LESS opposition than the 2005 Index:

• Apartments/condominiums – 34% vs. 48%
• Casinos – 67% vs. 80%
• Grocery stores – 25% vs. 33%
• Office buildings – 40% vs. 47%
• Large shopping centers – 57% vs. 62%
• Single-family housing – 6% vs. 13%

MORE opposition than 2005:

• Biotech research – 57% vs. 48%
• Landfills – 87% vs. 82%
• Power plants – 75% vs. 66%
• Quarries – 76% vs. 63%
• Wal-Mart – 68% vs. 63%.

Reasons for resistance aren’t always evident

“Reasons for opposition range widely,” Fox says. “Environmental concerns [11%] bow to protecting property value and preserving community character. But resistance isn’t always for obvious reasons. Wal-Mart, receiving thumbs-down from 68% of respondents, would be okay in a nearby community. And, although 71% of Saint Index respondents support hospital expansion – the second most supported land-use –significant opposition comes from other local hospitals, which may view the new facility as competition, or from organized labor, known for its ability to influence decision-makers and effect change through political pressure. We are seeing this throughout the US.”

Overcoming opposition

“Land-use politics is one way to block – or support – a building project,” says Fox. “Developers, utilities, institutions and others now regularly face opposition and permitting delays. They must confront the political demands of the public approvals process, start outreach early, and mount aggressive campaigns to educate and organize the communities where they propose to operate. This is essential for overcoming anti-competitive opposition and winning local approvals.”