Paul Coble, current Wake County commissioner and former mayor of Raleigh, is known for his clear-cut, unambiguous views, particuarly when it comes to the rights of property owners and taxpayers. He doesn’t disappoint in today’s Carolina Journal Exclusive about Raleigh’s draft of its comprehensive growth plan. From David Bass’ report on the plan (emphasis is mine):

The unveiling, conducted Dec. 3, was the culmination of months of work by the Planning Department and consultants. The city paid $600,000 to hire HNTB, an infrastructure consulting firm, to help complete the project. Now, the draft could become official policy as early as March, when the Raleigh City Council is expected to take a final vote.

Some experts, however, say the plan could have an adverse effect on Triangle residents. “It seems really anti-Raleigh,” said Randal O’Toole, a Cato Institute senior fellow who specializes in urban growth, public land, and transportation issues.

“They’re going to tend to make housing a little more expensive,” he said. “The main thing is that they’re going to make traffic a lot more congested.”

As reported by CJ previously, city planners have faced criticism about public engagement and property rights. Wake County Commissioner Paul Coble, a former Raleigh mayor and city council member, said property owners get hurt when cities impose burdensome restrictions.

“Here’s a suggestion for my fellow elected officials: Take an economics class, and then get back to me on what it is you want to do,” Coble said. “When you truly understand the marketplace and basic economics, and you believe in the free market, then you realize the property owner is the real loser in this.”

You’ll find more about Raleigh’s draft growth plan in this analysis by Locke Foundation Director of Research and Local Government Analyst, Michael Sanera. He writes that city planners “have declared war on the American dream.”