Unfair Comparison
To the Editor:
To Rick Brand’s 8/9/06 Henderson Dispatch editorial:
It’s been said: “you can’t compare apples to oranges.”
I agree.
Contrary to the minister’s suggestion, the same is true for “traffic rules and regulations” versus “zoning.” There are major reasons as to just why.
One of the most important reasons is simple: traffic laws regulate PUBLIC PROPERTY… zoning regulates PRIVATE PROPERTY. Changes in traffic rules may be annoying sometimes- but that’s trivial compared to the adverse impacts of zoning.
Regulating what a homeowner can and cannot do in his home is not trivial and is far beyond annoying. It challenges serious issues such as fundamental freedom, family heritage, a better future, and opportunities to prosper with hope. Further, none of which should be “twisted and distorted” so as to be labeled as “harm” to the community when not.
Another important reason traffic laws cannot be compared to zoning restrictions is that ALL motorists must EQUALLY obey traffic laws. Those laws apply to ALL motorists even in other counties or states. They are generally uniform in nature and don’t discriminate against individual drivers. If you speed in one county or state… it’s the same as speeding in another. It doesn’t matter if you are on a motorcycle, car or truck. ALL are bound by the law in fairness.
However, zoning laws treat people differently.
Under zoning regulations, one property owner can do something other property owners cannot. Besides being unfair, it creates problems for some owners of property- yet rewards others. Too often, zoning becomes a way for a “few” within a community to control ALL others.
Imagine if the zoning board restricted the locations as to where you drove your car- but didn’t other motorists. Imagine if you were restricted to a certain speed limit while driving- but others motorists were not. Imagine if you needed permission from other motorists before driving YOUR vehicle.
Traffic rules applied as in the concept of zoning regulations could result in the aforementioned scenarios. Further, zoning proponents could state such laws as being in the “best interests” of traffic control and a better future for all.
However, I don’t know anyone that wants traffic rules and regulations like that to become lawful.
For the same reasons, I don’t know anyone that wants the proposed countywide zoning ordinance to become law either… …that is… unless they’re “misinformed” or have “something up their sleeve.”