American Dream

I think it was my Dad who introduced me to the phrase "the road to Hades is paved with good intentions," and it applies when we talk about so-called Adequate Public Facility Ordinances (APFOs), at least in my home state of Maryland. I've seen APFO used to deny development plans that would otherwise be approved (thus implicitly debasing the value of private property).

APFO has repeatedly led to approval of new residential developments using unrealistic assumptions about transit patronage by residents of the new development - which in turn leads to increased traffic congestion.

Perhaps worst of all, APFOs allow local elected officials to assure constituents that they are "doing something" about traffic congestion and over-crowded public schools by just using APFO to deny development approvals.

Read more about APFO in Maryland at the links below:

Press release: “Inappropriate Use, Inconsistent Standards and Unintended Consequences” (Adobe Acrobat .pdf, 33 KB)

Full report: Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances in Maryland: Inappropriate Use - Inconsistent Standards - Unintended Consequences (Adobe Acrobat .pdf, 355 KB)

The Effects of Moratoria on Residential Development: Evidence from Harford, Howard, and Montgomery Counties (Adobe Acrobat .pdf, 5.31 MB)

Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances in Maryland: An Analysis of their Implementation and Effects on Residential Development in the Washington Metropolitan Area (450 KB)

Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances in Maryland: An Analysis of their Implementation and Effects on Residential Development in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area (435 KB)