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Small-Scale Question Sunday for July 16, 2023

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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The surrounding farmland and greenspace contribute significantly to the rural character

So when someone buys a duplex for $670k, they have a vote in how the landowner gets to use or develop their "greenspace?" If enough people move into the area who want to see my land stay undeveloped, I lose the right to develop it, despite receiving exactly zero benefit from those sales to myself?

Worse, in my area, the farmers who hang on for an extra decade have to live with the loss of the "greenspace" on all the neighboring farms that develop; then when they decide to cash out themselves (often because of the changing neighborhood, traffic, inconveniences caused by development and population growth) those same move-ins show up to meetings to prevent them from developing their land. My family dates back in this town 130 years, I don't appreciate Johny-Come-Lately who just bought a townhouse telling me what I can and can't do on my property.

I attend mass better than weekly, at my church. The rest of the churches aren't my problem, even if I wanted to attend multiple churches for some bizarre reason it wouldn't be exactly helpful. If people aren't attending the mainline protestant churches, they will fail. Restricting their redevelopment won't bring people back to the pews for lukewarm Presbyterianism, it will just create a long-running sore as the church becomes dilapidated.

So when someone buys a duplex for $670k, they have a vote in how the landowner gets to use or develop their "greenspace?

No. They're entitled to vote in town elections and attend and vote at town meetings. They, other abutters and residents may object to the proposed change of use. There are rules to ensure proposed changes in use are not detrimental to the town and residents.