Conservation versus Development; a heated discussion depending on which side of the fence you're on. Do we leave open space, or do we build more homes? Again, it depends on which side of the fence you're on.
I sell Homes, so I like having homes to sell, but re-sales are as good as new homes to many. I have watched the Development of North County over the past 30 years, and almost all the flower fields are gone on El Camino, and a portion of the Paul Eke Ranch was ultimately sold for Development and "Progress". It did allow commuters to finally be able to take Leucadia Boulevard through to El Camino Real, as well as have new Commercial Development; but at what price?
My 7 year old Granddaughter asked me one day when we were driving through an area outside Temecula......"Don't they have enough houses yet?" And then she said she didn't like all the new houses, she said people could just buy the houses that were already built. Smart Child :)
After North County San Diego became too expensive, people moved to San Marcos, then to Temecula and Murrieta. Now Hemet and Winchester are being built-up, and as Development comes in, the Ranches and Farms have moved out, or are moving out. So where is the next place to build.......
Banning and Beaumont. Once rural small towns, they are growing very quickly....the hills are becoming dotted with large tract homes. Water Resources, Traffic, and Wildlife are just a few concerns. The same concerns in almost all of California that has experienced this high density development.
So now we move on further East.....to Cabazon and Whitewater.....and finally some good news for the Environment. A few years ago, a large tract of land was for sale for over Three Million Dollars...and the agent had a buyer that wanted to do a large Commercial Project. Along comes another Prospective Buyer, offering less money.......and who do you think ended up with the property.......yep the one for less money, a Conservation Group, Friends of the Desert Mountains.
They bought the Land for a Wildlife Corridor...
The Desert and Mountains are full of Hawks, California Quail, Bobcats, Mountain Lions, Rabbits, and Desert Tortoise.
Development has displaced many of the natural wildlife, and there is an ongoing battle with people that want Development, and People that want to Preserve what we have.
Just last week I received two inquires from people that own land in the Whitewater area. They both own 5 acre parcels by the mountains, and Friends of the Desert had contacted them to buy their property.
The 5 Acre parcels are being assimilated to connect other parcels of Conservation Land. So, when these sellers asked my opinion I didn't think about money, a commission on a sale, or anything.......I thought about the area, and what would be good for it.
"This is a good Group" I told them, and that is a fair price....but make sure you ask for closing costs......:)
Both of these properties are in a remote area, and perfect for conservation efforts.
Here is the website for Friends of the Desert in case you want to see what they have been doing to save the environment: http://www.fotdm.org/
All of Southern California appears to be getting ready for Development.......so where do you draw the line. As my Granddaughter stated "Don't we have enough Houses?"
By: Kathy McGraw - CELLing Realty for Blog Action Day October 15th
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