Ron, there were similar type laws here, but for several years now a couple of huge out-of-state development companies have been buying up all the land they can. They have enough money to line political pockets, and get the properties rezoned, then build subdivision type housing. There are several tactics they use, and some of the properties take a couple years before they can get it all rezoned the way they want it, but they can afford to wait it out, and eventually they get exactly what they want.
My cousin, and I were talking about this the other day, and there are at least 2 things we don't understand.
1. There are multiple areas that used to be farmland, or raw land. When I say these developers have come in buying up parcels of land, many of these are 50 -500 acre parcels, many of them are side by side. When they go to develop, they leave a fairly wide strip close to the main road(s) with the native trees, and brush as a buffer, so no one sees what's actually going on. Behind those buffers, they're clearing out miles of land, putting in roads, power, sewage lines, sidewalks, etc. The buffers are cleared after they open the subdivisions. Thousands of homes go in, that are smallish 3 bedroom 2 bath sized homes, on less than 1/4 acre of land. The prices start at $220,000.00+. A decent executive home, with a pool, or enough land (maybe an acre) to put in a pool start at $320,000.00. How are all these families able to afford these homes? Where are they getting that much money for cracker jack box homes? Did everyone suddenly wake up wealthy but me, and my cousin? Don't even get me started on the price of vehicles.
2. Where are all the people coming from, that there are so many homes needed on a continuous basis? I was not describing the increase in housing for the state, or a portion of the state. I described one small area in our county, but the same thing is happening in multiple areas in our county. Did half the country wake up last week, and decide to move to my county? We've got the housing for them for sure, if they've got enough money.
Not all of the land is developed into homes. Some of it is turned into apartment complexes, and condo communities. Condos start at $250,000.00. Apartments start at $1,500.00 a month for a 1 bedroom. It's insane.