The council of Maple County, concerned about the county's becoming overdeveloped, is debating a proposed measure that would prevent the development of existing farmland in the county. But the council is also concerned that such a restriction, by limiting the supply of new housing, could lead to significant increases in the price of housing in the county. Proponents of the measure note that Chestnut County established a similar measure ten years ago, and its housing prices have increased only modestly since. However, opponents of the measure note that Pine County adopted restrictions on the development of new residential housing fifteen years ago, and its housing prices have since more than doubled. The council currently predicts that the proposed measure, if passed, will result in a significant increase in housing prices in Maple County.
Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the prediction and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the prediction.
My writing:
In the above argument, the council predicts that the restrictions of new housing, if passed, will lead to great housing price increase. However, their arguments are flawed and there are some question that should be answered clearly before making any decision.
Is the need for housing of Maple County is similar to Chestnut County or Pine County ? If the need for housing of different County is very much different then the prediction that the pass of the above measure will result in a great housing prices increase in Maple County may not valid. Instead, it may increase just a moderate amount. Though, if housing need in Maple County is very much alike in Pine County then passing the law may lead to a great increase in housing price. However, if the need for housing of Maple County is similar to Chestnut County then the result of passing the above law.
Besides, the restrictions on developing new residential housing of Pine County happened fifteen years ago. Things may change a lot by now. At that time, it is could be Pine County's job market that offer a lot of job opportunities with, maybe high salary. Thus, even the price in that County increased, people still want to live near their work place. This is the factor that may lead to increase in housing price. However, for Maple County, is there a lot of job opportunities like in Pine County by now or in a near future? That question is needed to be answered.
Moreover, one should also question if the living conditions like weather, facilities, ... of the three County. If the living conditions in Pine County are better, then it is normal to see the restrictions that the county has made caused a significant increase in housing price. Similarly, if the living conditions in Chesnut County is not as good as other County then it is reasonable to find the housing price did not increase much after such restriction. The Maple County should compare its living condition to other County to predict the future result of passing the proposed measure.
In conclusion, to reach an ideal decision, the Maple County should consider the above questions.