ALT:Town Report Shows Huge Costs for Development

Town Planner Robert Gilstein has completed a new costs study for the Wicks Nursery which, according to the Aquidneck Land Trust (ALT), means large costs for residents.

According to the ALT, the study shows that if Wicks Nursery was developed into a 41-lot residential subdivision, it would be a net loss to the town of more than $3.3 million.

On July 2, the ALT and the Wicks family signed an option agreement that will give ALT nine months to raise the necessary monies to purchase a $2 million perpetual Conservation Easement on nearly 40-acres of the farm on Moitoza Lane.

Wicks Nursery has been under constant development threats the last few years, according to the ALT.

In 2007, there was a proposal to use the property, and some abutting land, as part of a 54-lot subdivision. In 2008, there was another proposal to use the farm and nearby land as part of an 108-lot subdivision. 

ALT commissioned an engineer who demonstrated in a Conceptual Subdivision Plan that Wicks Nursery, by itself, could support at least a 41-lot subdivision.  The option agreement was reached despite new development offers this year.

Various studies show that it costs a municipality between $1.04 and $2 for every dollar of tax revenue to provide services to a typical subdivision, according to the ALT. This one would cost about $1.45 for every dollar of tax revenue.

Subdivisions also require schools, roads, police, water, waste disposal services, rescue and fire department services, storm water management and more. As a result, current taxpayers end up subsidizing new subdivisions that detract from their community's character, according to the ALT.

The town planner's study demonstrated that a 41-lot subdivision on Wicks Nursery would generate a little more than $7.2 million in revenues from property taxes over a 30-year period.  However, his study also showed that such a subdivision would cost the town more than $10.5 million in community services, resulting in a net loss to the town of more than $3.3 million over the same period, accoring to the ALT.

Beyond the scope of this Costs of Community Services Study were the other negative impacts to Aquidneck Island generated by a large residential subdivision. Those impacts, according to the ALT, include increased traffic on the island's roadways; increased air pollution from more traffic; more harmful runoff into our important water supplies; increased carbon footprint for the island; degradation of the island's desirability as a place to live, work and visit.

"We thank Mr. Gilstein for this important study that reminds us of another critical aspect of land conservation: keeping a perpetual rein on the costs of community services," said Ted Clement, ALT executive director.

Regarding the study, Robert Gilstein stated, "As the Portsmouth town planner, I am acutely aware of the importance of land conservation to Portsmouth and the entire island.  I am happy to use my expertise to help educate others and conserve an important farm."

ALT's time-sensitive mission is to conserve Aquidneck Island's open spaces and natural character for the lasting benefit of our community.

The organization has conserved more than 2,290 acres on Aquidneck Island.  ALT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and the first and only land trust in Rhode Island to have received national accreditation.  

For more information, visit www.AquidneckLandTrust.org.