Thursday, October 07, 1999
Boone planners may drop growth restriction
BY KRISTINA GOETZ
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BURLINGTON — A provision that would allow Boone County to explore the use of an urban service boundary to manage growth took a major hit Wednesday night.
Long-range planning committee members want to take the provision out of the draft of the comprehensive plan, a document that guides land use.
An urban service line or boundary would essentially hold development in the eastern half of the county.
“I really and truly believe that it is not necessary,” committee member Richard Knock said. “It does not do anything but cause divisiveness.
“There is, by default if you will, an urban service boundary in this county. Not by acclamation, not by law, but how this county has developed.”
Some committee members agreed with a few in the audience that the county should not put additional restrictions on landowners.
“Zoning itself is restrictive enough,” committee member Phil Damstrom said.
Other residents, who held placards and wore buttons, weren't so happy with the decision.
Glen Brand, director of the Sierra Club chapter in Cincinnati, an organization that is committed to actively fighting sprawl at the grass-roots level across America, wasdisappointed, too.
“I think they're making a mistake,” said Mr. Brand, whose organization is looking for Boone County to lead the way on smart growth issues. “A green space protection area is working in many places.”
The plan shows great potential, he said.
But, “if we don't have a plan that has any teeth, we don't have a plan at all. Landowners and developers are not entitled to public, taxpayer welfare or subsidy,” he said.
“If they want to pay for the full cost of infrastructure and services, fine. But they won't.”
Committee member David Zimmer said while he dis agrees with the urban service boundary, the committee should be open to other growth management tools that are being used nationally.
“We're trying to aid the good process we already have,” he said.
The committee sifted through only about two pages of the document and debated mostly on wording.
Members got through the overall objectives and the objectives for population.
They have yet to discuss environmental, economic, social, housing and other issues.
The committee plans to meet again to discuss the draft at 6 p.m. Oct. 20.
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