"And of course there are many here on FR who say that landowners (read: developers) should be permitted to develop land in any way they like, no matter how miserable it makes everybody"
Clearly it doesn't make the "thousands" and thousands who are flocking to the area miserable. Developers are landowners and are in the business of making profit. It is called the free market and anyone who wishes to participate in it if can do so they are ambitious enough.
Also, this country is vast enough to live in a rural setting for those who feel cramped. I, for one, have chosen to do this, and when my area becomes too developed for my taste, I'll up and go.
They don't find out until after they've moved out there and have been there awhile.
Developers are landowners and are in the business of making profit. It is called the free market and anyone who wishes to participate in it if can do so they are ambitious enough.
BMW is in the business of making a profit, too. They have a product to sell, and I can choose to buy it or not, as I please. But developers force their profits on all of us. The rest of us have to come up with the property taxes that are required to pay for all the additional services, the schools, the water-treatment plants, the police and fire protection, the government administration, the libraries, and of course the new roads the new developments require. We have to live with it all while they live in Palm Springs or Palm Beach.
Also, this country is vast enough to live in a rural setting for those who feel cramped. I, for one, have chosen to do this, and when my area becomes too developed for my taste, I'll up and go.
Very convenient for you. Pray, how do you make a living?