I Know Why

In an AZ Republic article this morning, there is a question of why fewer housing building permits in Gilbert have been pulled in the early months of 2005:

Homes in Gilbert are expensive and highly sought after, which leaves town officials and real estate experts puzzled over why the town is issuing significantly fewer single-family home permits than a year ago.

According to figures from the town's Building and Code Compliance Department, from January through May of last year, the town issued 2,207 single-family home permits. This year, through May, the town has issued 1,165.

I think I know why, and so does Joel Huston, the VP of sales for Trend Homes:

Huston said he believes the decline in permits is because Gilbert is becoming built out, and the amount of available land is declining as the price of the land rises.

It's pretty obvious from the air, and growing more obvious from the roads: Gilbert's farming days are coming to a close, and a new era is beginning. Change is difficult; we want things to stay the same, but it is the most basic part of life.