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 itâÂÂll address during a yearlong âÂÂvisioningâ 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 donâÂÂt face the same regulatory obstacles for construction.
âÂÂIt seems in conflict with any kind of planning principle at all to have all that growth without regulation,â 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.
âÂÂWe all think we know what the issues are, but nobodyâÂÂs really gone out and asked,â 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 theyâÂÂll expect.
The process is attracting the attention of developers. Bill Yanek of the Lawrence Builder-Realtor Coalition attended WednesdayâÂÂs meeting.
âÂÂI think itâÂÂs great to look ahead,â Yanek said. âÂÂThe best thing to do is plan (for growth) now.âÂÂ
Commissioners anticipate their work will be controversial, however.
âÂÂAnytime you deal with these issues, youâÂÂre deciding who will make money and who wonâÂÂt,â Durflinger said. âÂÂAnd the people who wonâÂÂt will be angry.âÂÂ
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.
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