Controlling Growth by Controlling Water
Monday, August 20th, 2007
Taking a look at Bolinas, CA in Hindsight you’d be forgiven for thinking there was something wrong with our data. There’s a steady growth up until 1971 and then suddenly: nothing.
Thankfully, this article Controlling Growth by Controlling Water from the New York Times of October 2005 explains:
The same urge to remain pristine has led to one of the most extreme anti-growth policies in the nation. For more than 30 years, Bolinas has refused to authorize a single new water meter, needed for hooking up to the town water supply. There are now 580 meters - the same as in November 1971, when the moratorium began.
I wonder if Bolinas is unique, or if there are other communities that have limited growth in similarly inventive ways?
