Originally Posted by ruralcarrier
Originally Posted by Scotia
I disagree. We enjoyed the area and our stay in Mullet Bay at The Fourteen. St. Martin is obviously a popular destination drawing many first time and returning visitors. New developments of various size and design provide investment, employment and choice of accommodation to island residents and visitors alike. In my home city I prefer the more efficient use of high rise development over the car dependent suburban sprawl of the typical North American city.
The problem with SXM is the infrastructure. It can barely handle the situation now. Add more cars, more people, etc. and the problem magnifies.


I am guessing SXM does not have any sort of "impact fees" levied on new developments to help with upgrades and new infrastructure or of they do those funds are not being used to actually make the upgrades and additions necessary. We have had issues with this right here at home. Uncontrolled growth increasing the tax base and raking in the moolah makes politicians drool BUT the infrastructure is not upgraded to provide adequate services to the already thousands in residence plus the the thousands of new apartments, condos, and homes being built. As a tourist to SXM, this is a minor inconvenience a couple of weeks a year. If I was a resident, I can not imagine the impact on daily life and services like water, electricity, and roadways.

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