Economics of Sound Regional Planning
The case for planning and conservation in the Texas Hill Country is clear when we think about water resources, scenic beauty and quality of life. But measuring the economic benefits of thoughtful growth and conservation policies can be challenging. The studies found on this page take a look a variety of related economic topics such as the value of parks, the cost of infrastructure, recreation and tourism economies and how investing in land conservation pays off.
Key findings of HCA’s 2030 Report reveal that dramatic change for the Hill Country starts with population growth: from 2.2 million people in 2000 to 4.3 million in 2030. Planning for this growth is essential.
Sit back and listen to two Hill Country View Segments: Urban Sprawl and Infrastructure and The Proximate Principle.
Some of the Key findings from existing studies on this subject include:
- The amount of property tax revenue from residential sprawl is not enough to cover the costs associated with new infrastructure
- Conservation-oriented areas show higher appreciation in property values
- For every dollar put into parks by the LCRA and Travis County, $16.80 was returned in benefit
- For every dollar Bandera County receives in taxes from farm and agricultural lands, it spends $0.26 to service the same area. Yet, in residential areas, the county spends $1.10 in services on every dollar received in taxes.
- Texas leads the nation in loss of prime agricultural farmland to development.
- While most other states allow counties to collect fees from developers to help offset the cost of new development, Texas does not.
- Residents value undeveloped lands primarily for their wildlife habitat and water quality protection.
- The real estate market consistently demonstrates that many people are willing to pay a larger amount for property located close to parks and open space areas than for a home that does not offer this amenity. The higher value of these residences means that their owners pay higher property taxes. In effect, this represents a “capitalization” of park land into increased property values of proximate land owners.
- In 2008, visitors to state parks from outside Texas added $15.7 million to the gross state product.
Helpful Resources
Cost of Community Services(COCS): Understanding the relationships between residential and commercial growth, agricultural land use, conservation and a community’s bottom line.
Agricultural Sustainability and Smart Growth - April, 2001 - Saving Urban-Influenced Farmland
Assessing the Wealth of Nature - Using economic studies to promote
land conservation instead of sprawl.
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy - 2005 - Region-wide prosperity and economic equity achieved through diversified
business development, balanced growth, and improved mobility.
Comptroller Susan Combs - 2008 - Texas State Parks, Natural Economic Assets
Conservation: An Investment that Pays - 2009 - The economic benefits of parks and open space.
County Authority Table - to State comparison of impact fees in Counties, 2008
Parkland and Open Space in the Hill Country- June, 2001 - A report by Texas Center for Policy Study.
SH 130 Corridor Watershed Economics 2006 - Rethinking development economically and environmentally
The Texas Coalition for Conservation - Studies related to Texas Parks and Conservation
