Thursday, September 02, 1999
Boone development: Draw a line?
Residents debate limiting services
BY KRISTINA GOETZ
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BURLINGTON — Drawing a line to manage future development goes to the heart of the debate over growth in Boone County.
Two groups stood on either side of that line Wednesday night. Developers and some residents stood on one side, staunchly opposing an urban service boundary — a new growth-management method that would hold urban and suburban development in the eastern half of the county.
Others pleaded for it, say ing it's the only way to slow the growth down.
Both groups discussed the first draft of the updated goals of the county's comprehensive plan, a document that guides land use, before the long-range planning committee. One provision is to study an urban service boundary.
“I almost think the idea is five to 10 years too late,” said Aimee Boese, a Petersburg resident. “But it's not too late to save what we've still got.”
A line of demarcation would help the western part of the county retain its rural charac ter and slow development that's getting out of control, Ms. Boese said.
“Don't let the developers tell you we'll be limiting their ability to make money,” she said.
The Kentucky State Data Center estimates Boone County's population could be 79,172 by next year. In 1950, it was 13,015; a recent census estimate put it at 70,097.
Other residents said a line would tell property owners what they could do with their land, and that's not fair. Property sold for development can command a much higher price.
“I don't think it's right to say, "You take the hit,'” said Albert Arlinghaus of Petersburg. “I want somebody to tell me how we can do it fairly.”
After hearing from residents during two public workshops on the comprehensive plan, planning committee members decided to include in the 2000 goals a provision to explore the issue.
An urban service boundary would essentially hold water and sewer services to one side of the line.
Shawn Cox, a spokesman for the Northern Kentucky Homebuilders Association, said that along with the study of an urban service boundary, the county should look at affordable housing and its availability as it relates to the demographics of Boone County.
“Why are taxpayers who may live on the "wrong side' of a potential boundary being denied services that other people in the county enjoy?” Mr. Cox read from a prepared statement from the builders group.
Other residents, such as Jennifer Warner of Burlington, said rural land can't be replaced once it is gone.
“This is something that's no longer available and needs to be protected,” she told the committee. “And I ask you to do that for us.
“We strongly believe that an urban service boundary is not needed in Boone County.”
Since many others wanted to speak, another committee meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 15. A public hearing on the goals has not been scheduled.
“It's important to get the ideas out there before a public hearing is set,” said Dave Geohegan, director of planning services for the Boone County Planning Commission, “to make sure there is good public involvement.”
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