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What does it cost to provide public infrastructure and services to areas of dispersed development? The more spread out an area is, the more it costs. Roads and pipes have to be longer. Police and fire departments have further to travel. Schools have to bus more children.
How much more? Obviously, the costs vary by area but here are some general rules:
Roads - New subdivisions with larger lot sizes and more curvilinear layouts require more paving. In general, the cost of building in these dispersed areas is 25% higher.
Water and Sewer – Water and sewer constitute a large portion of the capital costs of new communities. Dispersed development can inflate these costs by as much as 20 to 40% due to the need for a more extensive delivery and collection system (street mains).
Schools – Construction and transportation costs for schools can be significant. For instance, operating a bus for a year is approximately $35,000, not accounting for the purchase price of the bus. The construction of new schools in outlying areas sometimes occurs even when existing schools in more densely populated areas have sufficient available capacity. |
