It could take 40 acres of land in Douglas County’s urban growth area and 80 acres in the county’s rural areas in order to create new city-style housing developments in the county.

Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday came to that agreement on land requirements for new rural subdivisions as they continued to revise development regulations.

Commissioner Charles Jones said if the proposed changes are adopted, they may cause an inconvenience for some residents.

“But we also have to balance individual rights against what is good for the community,” he said.

Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Department staff members have been revising the regulations, under commission direction, to prevent new construction in areas that lack treated water and hardtop roads.

Commissioner Bob Johnson said the commissioners had to make decisions based on what is best for the community long term.

“No matter what the decision, it probably will cause someone to be disjointed,” he said.

The county commissioners will discuss the proposed rural development regulations with the Lawrence City Commissioners at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Lawrence City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St.