2003 is shaping up as the year Douglas County tackles issues regarding urbanization of its rural areas.

The Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission on Wednesday started clarifying which subjects it’ll address during a yearlong “visioning” process to create a picture of what the county should look like in 30 years. All the topics were related to the growth of city-style living in the unincorporated areas of the county.

Planning Commissioner Ron Durflinger said 100 new homes were being built in rural areas for every 300 built in Lawrence. But the rural homes don’t face the same regulatory obstacles for construction.

“It seems in conflict with any kind of planning principle at all to have all that growth without regulation,” he said.

At the same time, Douglas County Extension is planning a series of seminars early next year to gather public input on similar issues. Trudy Rice, extension director and a former planning commissioner, said rural landowners feared local governments were preparing to restrict how they could use their land.

“We all think we know what the issues are, but nobody’s really gone out and asked,” Rice said.

Planning Director Linda Finger said urban developments in rural areas were regulated only by health codes and the availability of water. Lawrence exerts some control over the latter; it treats water for rural water districts but places limits on the number of users allowed.

Officials fear that without additional regulation, the rural parts of Douglas County will become a virtual city – but without planning to ensure those residents can properly receive the services they’ll expect.

The process is attracting the attention of developers. Bill Yanek of the Lawrence Builder-Realtor Coalition attended Wednesday’s meeting.

“I think it’s great to look ahead,” Yanek said. “The best thing to do is plan (for growth) now.”

Commissioners anticipate their work will be controversial, however.

“Anytime you deal with these issues, you’re deciding who will make money and who won’t,” Durflinger said. “And the people who won’t will be angry.”

Planning commissioners will meet with city, county and Lawrence school officials next month for further discussion. The meeting will be 7:30 a.m. Dec. 4 in City Hall.