A new national survey conducted by Consensus Strategies has revealed a growing public concern about real estate development and the decision-making processes of local governments. The survey highlights a widespread belief that the relationships between developers and elected officials create an unfair planning and zoning process. Specifically, 71% of respondents expressed this concern.

The survey also found that a majority of respondents are resistant to new development in their communities. 73% of those surveyed stated they are not receptive to new development, with many feeling that their communities are already overdeveloped. This resistance is coupled with a low level of trust in local government’s ability to effectively manage new development, with 57% of respondents rating their local government’s management as “Fair” to “Poor.”

The survey findings come at a time when there is increasing scrutiny of real estate development processes and a growing demand for government transparency. The survey’s results suggest that developers may face significant challenges in gaining community support for new projects. In addition to navigating the complex regulatory process, developers must address the public’s concerns and skepticism. Consensus Strategies CEO Patrick Fox emphasized the importance of understanding and addressing these concerns to move projects forward.