At stake is a proposed amendment that would let county planners consider "congestion of population" when deciding whether new subdivisions should be approved. It's the latest round in the ongoing battle to manage the explosive residential development that's made Warren County the region's fastest-growing county.

The issue was supposed to be discussed before the large crowd that attended Thursday's executive-committee meeting. But instead, the board postponed it until the Nov. 18 meeting, awaiting outside legal advice.

According to the proposed amendment, "congestion of population" would be evident if, for example, there wasn't enough capacity in the water or sewer system, or if the roadways couldn't handle the excess cars.

Though the meeting room was packed, only one resident spoke during Thursday's hearing.

"We do not want to stop growth - what we'd like to see is a measured, reasonable growth," said Frank Colon, a member of the resident action group Hamilton Township Vision. "We feel that up to this point, the rate of growth has been excessive."

Warren County ranks 52nd among the nation's fastest growing counties. Between April 2000 and July 2003, the population jumped 14.7 percent (or 23,257 people), bringing it to nearly 182,000, according to estimates.

County commissioners, who have talked about a moratorium to halt growth, requested the change in May as a way to limit the number of houses that are built each year.

But a planning commission subcommittee is suggesting the Regional Planning Commission deny the amendment partially because members say the wording is too vague.

Instead, it suggested the county update its comprehensive plan to better manage growth.

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com