Has there been any limits on residential or commercial growth in greater Atlanta due to the drought? (Acworth: construction jobs, construction)

[goodtype]

I have not read anything about local governments doing anything about the number one reason for the shortage of water- out of control and poorly planned growth- since the drought. You would think that they would put a limit on construction until they have the water issue solved. Am I missing something?

Do you think they should basically stop all construction until they find a solution to the water crisis?

[wxjay]

There has to be some form of restriction on just handing out permits like lollipops. But pulling the plug entirely is too drastic a solution.

[atlantagreg30127]

Paulding County (western burbs) I believe recently put some stops on new permits, but there are tons of construction projects that already had received the go-ahead that haven't even started yet. So you'll see new stuff still going up for some time. That's the only county so far I've heard of that's done anything.

You have to keep in mind that tons of the local politicians have relatives and good buddy friends who are in the construction business. Unless you're talking about the region literally getting to the stage where the ground looks like Death Valley and there are cow remains on the roads, you will never see most of them put caps on their "buddies" businesses.

[DoveDiva]

I *think* Douglas County currently has a moratorium on all new residential construction.

[Brian Atlanta]

I remember when I lived in California, we had all types of droughts and the city slowed down the new building permits....HOWEVER, some builders must have "known some people" b/c they kept building like always.

This drought is pretty scary. We just need a few heavy storms to come in here and start to fill up our lakes....oh, and they probably need to release "less" water from Lanier. =) Just a thought?

[KevK]

Only Douglas County has stopped permits (unless you want to pay for a well) but Douglas is supposedly close to empty on water.

[gt6974a]

I voted 'No', not exactly b/c it would destroy the economy but b/c they should have limited it long ago, and not only for water.

I live in Acworth, and I believe our Mayor has used his seat (he has no vote but influence) to profit from his several businesses and/or businesses he has investments in. Bringing in more tax money helps him 'provide/give' things which makes him look good and allows him to continue in his other ventures.

This drought is temporary, we were 20 feet over normal pool just a few years ago, the corp let out too much water last year b/c of a gauge/meter, we needed these 'other' resevoirs 13 years ago.

...Although you could say that if we didn't have all these illegal immigrants working construction, living here, reproducing, using water, allowing those w/o jobs some construction jobs....the development might not need to be severly limited......

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by gt6974a

I voted 'No', not exactly b/c it would destroy the economy but b/c they should have limited it long ago, and not only for water.

I live in Acworth, and I believe our Mayor has used his seat (he has no vote but influence) to profit from his several businesses and/or businesses he has investments in. Bringing in more tax money helps him 'provide/give' things which makes him look good and allows him to continue in his other ventures.

This drought is temporary, we were 20 feet over normal pool just a few years ago, the corp let out too much water last year b/c of a gauge/meter, we needed these 'other' resevoirs 13 years ago.

...Although you could say that if we didn't have all these illegal immigrants working construction, living here, reproducing, using water, allowing those w/o jobs some construction jobs....the development might not need to be severly limited......

Haha right wingers always find a way to blame gays or mexicans.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Residential construction for the most part is at a stand still. Its pretty easy to pull the plug at any given time. However, commercial is a different beast. Projects that are going on right now are projects that were "started" two and three years ago. Money was approperated, bids were taken, permits recieved, and then construction started. Not so easy to "pull the plug".
Should there have been better management of "growth"- well yeah! But politicians are greedy and thats not changing anytime soon.

[gt6974a]

Originally Posted by skipcromer

Haha right wingers always find a way to blame gays or mexicans.

I never said Mexicans nor Gays......