The Coming Crisis in Industrial Land: A Planning Perspective

Abstract

Local planners too frequently have neglected their industrial resources and are therefore endangering their economic base. Indeed, conditions have reached the point that rarely can one find in the Northeast a 100-acre contiguous industrial parcel of land, with water and sewer services, that is environmentally clean and has direct access to major highways without passing through a residential neighborhood. Furthermore, there is clearly a mismatch between land zoned for industry and that which is suitable for development. This article analyzes the key factors that are influencing industrial land use decisions and provides recommendations that may be of assistance to local officials throughout the country.