Dear Mr. Editor-Surveyor:
You have yet to state that the cost areas I named are incorrect. There is a good reason why you have not so stated: because the cost areas I stated are correct.
Just by happenstance, I came across an interesting financial number to give an idea of cost: on 1 January the Pueblo, CO, retail sales tax is set to increase by about 1%, to a total level of 8%.
The proceeds from the increased taxes are to be used for infrastructure improvements -- things like roads, sewage, and drainage -- for Pueblo West. It's an area where there is massive development taking place. The taxpayers throughout the city are left to pick up the costs imposed by the development of the area.
Next: we both know that the cracker-box subdivision is not a tax issue -- and there are obviously alternatives, as the existence and layout of older areas of town amply demonstrates. The people who buy these tract houses do not lay out the plots, the developers do. In doing so, developers go to a great deal of effort to pack as many houses in the development area as they possibly can. It's simply a matter of maximizing their profit -- with the side effect of imcreasing the aforementioned costs.
Left with no logical position, you have resorted to ill-informed NIMBY-calling. That's your right, I suppose, but I know one editor-surveyor who's doing a good job of lowering my opinon of both editors and surveyors.
So that there is no misunderstanding here, let me state unequivocally: All of your stated 'costs' are in error.
Having spent 13 years working in a county public works department, I can tell you first hand that it is, and has been for at least half a century, standard policy to build in excess capacity for all infrastructure. - The fact that you have that excess capacity available for your own use for a period of time does not in any way create a 'cost' to you when it is ultimately pressed into it's intended use.
This is a chain occurrance, subdivision by subdivision, where each benefits from the one before, and in turn pays for the same excess for the next. - In short, What Goes Around Comes Around.
The high density of most subdivisions is caused by coercion through planning departments, by social egalitarians (most of whom are also NIMBY enviros) who seek "affordable housing" (read: block busters) under state laws, and the developers, and existing residents have little or no say in the matter.
Finally, all matters of economic restraint are Tax Issues. - Taxes kill jobs, taxes kill opportunity, and taxes destroy families by necessitating that both parents be employed. - Taxes, and the extra-constitutional action of governments are a constant drain on our society.
Time for you to take your green glasses off and rub your eyes.