Statewide Group Announces Campaign to Stop Sprawl

The group plans to air more than a dozen public service announcements taking aim attraffic, run-off, andopen space issues. They say they don't support any particular type of anti-sprawl measures, they just want to raise consciousness.

"There's arguments for mixed housing, or residential sections, or industrial sections," says Western N.C. Tomorrow Spokesman Phillip Gibson. "We're not necessarily trying to advocate for any particular development process." Rather, they ask: "What does that community want to be?"

Gibson says the group wants to involve more people in solving the problem.

"If they're concerned about their community, if they're concerned about the appearance of the community or maybe trying to determine what their community will be in 20 or 50 or 100 years, then their involvement is critical to address sprawl or community vision or planning," he says.

At least one Triangle town has already passed an anti-sprawl measure. Carrboro passed a law late last month that concentratesfuture growthin certain sections of town.

Caryis working on laws that will only allowdevelopmentif there are adequate roads, schools, water and parks.

And the town ofHolly Springshas just put amoratoriumon new residential building permits until it comes up with a plan.