Home > Talk of East Texas > Archives > 2009 > September > 20 > Entry
Taxes, land push growth north, east
Aaron Williams is the latest in three generations of Longview developers.
One electrician credits Williams’ grandfather with developing West Longview, but the 26-year-old sees the city’s future pushing mostly northeast, as homeowners seek lower tax bills and proximity to amenities.
For the past decade, the JAW Marketing supervisor has built more than 100 homes in the Paverstone subdivision on Alpine Road at East Loop 281. The two- and three-bedroom, steel-roofed homes attract retirees who want to live near Longview’s medical and shopping facilities, he said. JAW Marketing plans soon to build 190 homes on Eden Drive.
“We’ve got a large retirement community as it is through the fact we have numerous golf course and medical facilities,” Williams said.
His grandfather, Zack Williams, developed about 30 subdivisions mostly in West Longview, he said. Williams’ father, James Williams, also was involved.
These days, however, the land availability is east. Retirees seek homes in Northeast Longview, and first-time homeowners are searching for properties in other areas north and east, Aaron Williams said.
“The (school) taxes have a lot to do with it,” he said. “They’ve gotten outrageous.”
Where’s the future for Longview’s growth?
Comments
By Jimmy Isaac
November 11, 2009 10:48 AM | Link to this
The Vision 2015 Committee story in the Nov. 11 paper includes information about consolidating school resources in an effort to lower school costs and, thus, lower school taxes.
By Michael
September 23, 2009 11:47 PM | Link to this
Cherie, may I suggest you go out and buy as many trees as you like. You can even buy mine. You could create and maintain the Longview Tree Sanctuary. Whenever you are bored you can just walk outside and hug all of your very own trees.
By Sydney
September 23, 2009 9:22 PM | Link to this
Cherie…why not become part of the solution instead of whining about what you see as a problem. Why is Longview supposed to be full of trees? Is it so when the wind blows, it will blow the trees down on eveyone’s house and business? If there are more people like you in Greggton, then work to get it de-annexed from the ciy. The rest of us won’t miss you.
By Cherie Camron
September 22, 2009 9:29 PM | Link to this
I believe in keeping the city limited to no more than 500 acres for city limits with industrial and retail businesses. People should have the right to maintain thier land/acreage and not have it incorportated or forcible sold/stolen by the city just because they want more tax revenue.
Longview is part a large part of the Piney Woods and yet we are losing the woods daily and the city could care less.
Yes, if I had my way I would slap,scream punish severly every city official for destroying my home town. I have lived here all my life and hate what I see and I shouldn’t have to move away. Pine Tree/Greggton is my home and has been since I was 3 yrs old a very long time. I should be proud of my hometown instead I am embarressed by it
By Joe
September 22, 2009 9:07 AM | Link to this
There are smart ways to grow Longview…sprawling developments across the countryside is NOT one of them. Focusing on undeveloped and underdeveloped land within the city limits would allow developers to utilize existing infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, electricity), rather than continuity to burden city services with additional utilities.
By Bill
September 20, 2009 9:28 PM | Link to this
Zack Williams built the cheapest structure possible. Just ask the folks that bought one and cursed his name afterwards. Hope his grandson providing a better product!
By Margie
September 20, 2009 4:52 PM | Link to this
I just read where Longview is coming up with a five year plan. The are going to meet to better plan how to burn more tax money.
By Bob B.
September 20, 2009 4:46 PM | Link to this
The time will come when taxpayers will not allow the funding of libraries, parks, school atheltics, bands, cheerleading and all the other frills. This list should not be a function of any government.
The Williams family has done so much for Gregg County in increasing land values. They have not sat back and waited for the city, LEDCO or the county to give them a handout. They are good people and should be commended.
By Scott
September 20, 2009 10:57 AM | Link to this
Cherie, If you want to see woods in your town then move to Hallsville or Tatum. A city has services the citizens demand and providing those services cost money. Cities learn to allow growth so they can generate more tax dollars allowing them to fullfil the citizen’s demands for services. This inspires growth and Longview has been lucky enough to see some growth. It would be nice if there was a definitive city plan for this growth instead of the sprawl we have now - but restructuring existing infrastructure to fit a plan is costly and takes a long time to fulfill.
Oh, and Cherie - how are you going to return to what Longview was 50 years ago? What do you do with the families in the houses? What about the businesses? Do you force them to move and not repay them for their loss? Who pays for the property that you want the city to forceably reclaim? Is this the purpose of government? Oh, and who decides what the land looked like 50 years ago? How do we return it to what it looked like? Are you going to complain about the construction, the bulldozers, and the selection of fora and fauna? Will this reclaimed land be for public use or will it be placed behind fences to keep the people out? Who will own this land, who will be responsible for its care, and who will pay the taxes on it?
Greedy donkeys? And you want to slap them? Rather violent don’t you think? You want to force people to give up their land, and you want to humiliate and embarass our city leaders. I don’t think you thought your argument through.
By Jackie
September 20, 2009 10:30 AM | Link to this
Poor, poor cherie.
By Cherie
September 20, 2009 6:25 AM | Link to this
I think it is just horrorable with all this growth in Longview. Longview is to be full of trues and woods for you to see. The Sabine river bottoms are just that along with the cypress river bottoms and Grace creek. You don’t build around them over them or too near them. Yet this town is all about the money and not the future of keeping this town safe from storms and floods damage.
All those who live with no trees will have more wind damage because the trees help slow the wind down. Those who work and live near any bottoms land will suffer floods in rain similar to what we have had this past week.
Longview needs to go back 50 years or more become more even with the orignal land that God put here.
Our city government is full of fools and greedy donkeys that wouldn’t know a good thing if it slapped them upside the head. Which I believe they need!