Hydrological and Fiscal Impacts of Residential Development: Virginia Case Study

Abstract

This study examined hydrological and fiscal effects of residential growth patterns in Virginia. Eleven scenarios that consider a fixed increase in population and vary housing arrangement within a tract (tract form), tract arrangement within the watershed (tract pattern), and shared open space land cover were examined. The analytical tools included a geographic information system, a statistical land value model, tract development budgets, and a hydrological model (HSPF). Low density development has the greatest hydrological impact due to highest per capita impervious area. Varying tract form has more impact on land values and tax receipts than varying tract pattern. Low density development has the highest increase in revenues net of public sewer, water, and education (bus transportation) costs. Higher density settlements reduce hydrological impacts but bear a high cost to local governments in reduced property tax revenues.