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Rite Aid Fires Up Voorhees. Bruce Dombrowski Eric Tran. Township of Voorhees. 140-acre property 50% Farmland Stafford Farm – Horse Training 50% Woods, walking trails, and open fields. Medi-Build Inc. Proposal to build Rite Aid and shopping center next to the preserved land
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Rite Aid Fires Up Voorhees Bruce Dombrowski Eric Tran
Township of Voorhees • 140-acre property • 50% Farmland • Stafford Farm – Horse Training • 50% Woods, walking trails, and open fields
Medi-Build Inc. • Proposal to build Rite Aid and shopping center next to the preserved land • Require several variances to be approved • Barrier • Impervious Coverage • Rezone from Residential to Commercial
Opponents • Project would mar scenic view • Trash and noise would disturb horses • End of horse training on the farm
Project Proponents • Increase township’s tax base • Public access to trails
Ethical Question Is it ethical for the zoning board of Voorhees to permit the building of a Rite Aid and shopping center next to preserved farmland?
Ethical Question • Yes, it isethical for the zoning board to permit the variances • Bruce Dombrowski • No, it is not ethical to permit the variances • Eric Tran
Act Utilitarianism “Will this course of action produce more good than any alternative course of action that I could take?” Harris et al. 85
Audience • Stafford Farm • Residents of Voorhees • Medi-Build Inc.
Cons Stagnant economy Tremendous financial loss Pros Land maintains aesthetic appeal Option 1 : Deny All Variances
Pros Increased tax base, more jobs Cons Decreased profitability Additional cost of redesigning site Option 2 : Grant Rezoning Only
Cons Scenic view distorted Detrimental to horse training Pros Access to trails Greatest increase in tax base, more jobs Maximum profit Option 3 : Grant All Variances
Best Choice: Option 3 “Greatest good for the appropriate audience taking into account harms as well as benefits” Harris et al 85
Golden Rule “Treat others as you would like them to treat you” - Luke 6:31, New English Bible Harris et al 90
Golden Rule Medi-Build proponents must be willing to place themselves in the position of the farm owners
Self Defeating Criterion Determine whether the option, if universally adopted, is self defeating. If it is, then the action is impermissible. Harris et al 92
Purpose of the ordinances: • Impervious Coverage – prevents other properties from being flooded • Barrier – prevents the obstruction of nearby properties
Self Defeating Criterion • If all of the variances were approved because they maximized utility and this decision was universally adopted. Would it be self defeating?
Conclusion • Compromise • Permit the rezoning of the property • Deny the other variances • Utility is obtained from the land • Farmers maintain their rights