Survey: Americans still hate development
Unless it’s a new hospital, most Americans do not want new development in their area, according to an analysis by the Boston-based Saint Consulting Group, which specializes in land-use politics. The group surveyed 1,000 people across the nation by telephone, finding that 73 percent of Americans oppose new development, and 70 percent want tax money used to keep land undeveloped. Compared to a similar survey in 2005, fewer people opposed construction of apartments, casinos, grocery stores, office buildings, large shopping centers and single-family homes. But, opposition has increased to biotech research facilities, landfills, power plants, quarries and Wal-Mart shopping centers. Regarding the latter, however, most people said the facilities are fine if they are in another community. A majority of people said they would support the construction of new hospitals in their area, but existing hospitals and labor unions often try to block their construction.
