Providing a Cost-Benefit Assessment of Infill Residential Properties

Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
200 D.W. BROOKS DR
ATHENS,GA 30602-5016

Performing Department
College of Family & Consumer Sciences

Non Technical Summary
Infill properties are a potential source of controversy within American communities. Intended to be an antidote to urban sprawl-type conditions, infill instead provides challenges that are not fully understood and which have been lightly researched up to this point. Aside from the beneficial public qualities of utilizing already developed land, there are inherent costs involved with bringing infill properties into neighborhoods. There is recognition that there are numerous nuanced variables involved with defining and evaluating infill development. Some of these costs, such as increased public utility costs and infrastructure improvements, can logically be measured through access to public works records. There are even some environmental costs as well. Many infill sites were not previously developed due to some aspect of the site that presented a development challenge - steep slopes, wetlands, streams, etc. As a result, many of these infill sites are important remnant of habitat and ecosystem services. Other costs, such as the community dissatisfaction with various infill projects (specifically those related to infill that is incompatible with the overall neighborhood design), are more stealthy in nature and thus more difficult to measure as a result. The reasons for assuming a project of this nature will be to better quantify both the costs and benefits involved with providing infill housing within communities, a task which has thus far does not appear to have been attempted.

Animal Health Component

Research Effort Categories

Basic

75%

Applied

Developmental

25%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
131	0530	3080	100%

Knowledge Area
131 - Alternative Uses of Land;

Subject Of Investigation
0530 - Parks and urban green space;

Field Of Science
3080 - Sociology;

Keywords

residential infill

redevelopment

benefit-cost analysis

Goals / Objectives
To determine the costs and benefits and impacts of residential urban infill within Athens, GA.

Project Methods
Benefit-Cost Analysis ModelingQualitative Surveying of Athens Neighborhoods Impacted by Infill

Progress 09/15/14 to 09/15/17

Outputs
Target Audience:This was a report generated for the International Assoication of Assessment Officials. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A presentation was made at the IAAO Conference and at the Community Development Society Conference as well. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The original objective was achieved through this research, and additional effects were obtained in the final report.

Publications

Type: Other Status: Submitted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Carswell, A.T. (2016, June). Do infill properties and major improvements create externalities that impact property taxes? Kansas City, MO: International Association of Assessment Officials. 31 pp.

Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:I made a report to the IAAO Conference in Tampa, FL on the infill project in front of about 20 to 30 valuation professionals. I also completed a journal article that served as the final summation of my analysis in the 2017, volume 1edition of Journal of Property Tax Assessment and Administration. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The research has been cited as something of interest to be addressed by local property tax valuation experts in future property tax assessment scenarios. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Through a conference presentation and through an organization-sponsored peer-reviewed journal that reaches thousands of practitioners within the valuation community. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Move on to a new project that deals with aging in place.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? An article was written, accepted and published based on the results of my analysis.

Publications

Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: " Carswell, A.T. (2017). Do infill properties and major property improvements create externalities that impact property taxes? Journal of Property Tax Assessment and Administration, 14(1), 5-18

Progress 09/15/14 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience:I have spent approximately 15 hours collecting data from the Athens Clarke County Planning Office on building permits between the years 2000 and 2010 in neighborhoods that have been impacted by infill development. This covers a universe of between 550 and 600 properties. The target audience includes but is not necessarily limited to Athens Clarke County Planning Department and the International Association of Assessment Officials (through their issuance of a small supplemental research grant). Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?I should have all of the data collected...most of the next reporting period will be dedicated to analyzing the data.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Still determining this through the collection of data on projects completed during the 10-year study period and the values that have been ascertained from the permit documents.

Publications

Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2016 Citation: None as of yet