Iredell County’s burgeoning residential growth has caused traffic congestion, school overcrowding, and other pressures on the infrastructure, particularly in the southern part of the county.

From a tax standpoint, residential growth does not pay for itself. Five years ago we calculated that new houses would have to average over $500,000 in tax value to produce the revenue needed to build the additional schools that would be required. Today the figure would be higher. Industrial and commercial development makes money for the county, but residential growth results in higher taxes.

Earlier this year the county commissioners asked the county Planning Board to look into ways to better manage growth. The board focused on increasing residential lot sizes. With larger lots, fewer houses can be built in any given area, resulting in fewer additional school students and less additional traffic. Another benefit of larger lots is that there are fewer problems with septic systems.

By a vote of 6/4, the Planning Board recommended that the county increase minimum residential lot sizes. Three of the four members who voted “no” are directly associated with the real estate or development business.

After hearing from developers opposed to the larger lot sizes, the county commissioners decided to take no action on the Planning Board recommendation. They also declined to impose a moratorium on platting new subdivisions.

In the meantime, a much larger than normal number of residential subdivision plats have been filed.