Planning for growth
I’m not too young to remember when county-wide zoning was debated in this county. “I don’t want anyone to tell me what I can do with my land” was the common cry. Fortunately, enough people realized it wasn’t so much what you couldn’t do, but keeping your neighbors from doing something to hurt you.
“We want to preserve the rural nature of the county” has been the recent cry heard. That sounds real good until a farmer realizes that if we maintain the rural nature of the county, he can’t sell his farm to someone who wants to put in a subdivision. “That’s my retirement you’re messing with.”
I met with several people over the past week to discuss some of the growth issues facing the county. One of the articles that relates is in this week’s News Leader, relating to the quarry projects outside Princeton.
One of the concerns is having the infrastructure, the roads, the utilities, the schools, and the police and fire protection to serve growing areas. If growth is allowed and encouraged everywhere, it becomes unmanageable. If it is encouraged where it makes sense, where it is planned for, and where it is reasonable to serve, then we can do a better job of getting services to people.
The one big determining factor is sewer. If you have sewer service, you can build more lots in an area. If you are on septic tanks, if the land will permit septic tanks, you have to be on a bigger lot.
(Remember that Princeton recently moved their new sewer lift station that will serve the new school to allow new service to a several-mile radius.)
The emphasis on growth comes as the county has recently accepted the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Committee the commissioners appointed earlier this year. That follows several initiatives to try to address growth issues in the county.
Some argue since the county has county-wide zoning in place, we have a comprehensive land use plan for the county. Others quickly point out that 90 of the 100 counties in the state have a comprehensive land use plan, and those who don’t have it, other than Johnston, are hopelessly rural.
One of those who I met with last week was Don Johnson, the former mayor of Benson, who now works with Johnston Community College. Mr. Johnson said most of us in Johnston County still prefer to do business with government one-on-one, button-holing them at the store or on the street and asking for our commissioner’s help.
He related a zoning request in Benson. At a main intersection in town, with businesses on three corners, and the old house on the other corner badly in need of repair, a request to put a business on that fourth corner was tabled after neighbors said they didn’t want a business there. “Legally, they don’t have a leg to stand on,” Mr. Johnson offered.
A comprehensive land use plan puts priorities into place. It suggests where growth is likely to occur, and it plans to provide the services necessary to serve that new population. You can’t sway it and you can depend on it being the same tomorrow as it is today. That’s putting growth on a business-like footing.
As was acknowledged at the recent Blue Ribbon Committee presentation to county commissioners, whatever the county adopts will require some hard decisions. It will be an easier path for the county to avoid any decision.
Clearly the reason we don’t have a comprehensive land use plan in place is because it’s a hard issue to deal with. Still, most understand the need.
At least some on county commissioners are behind this effort, or the committee would not have been appointed. We encourage them to press on and get this road map to the future on the books.
There has been an acknowledgement by the county that they need to do a better job providing in many areas, though I and many would acknowledge that they are trying. One of those areas is recreation.
When the old quarry is filled with water, it could be a wonderful recreation area for many in this county. It is one of the most beautiful areas of Johnston County.
While it is doubtful as it looks now that the county will have a recreation program up and running in seven years, perhaps Princeton could operate a recreation area at the quarry. Perhaps the town and the county could work together to help make that happen. We call on town leaders to have the vision and energy to help make that happen.
It would be a shame if such a wonderful natural resource was not utilized and appreciated.
“We want to preserve the rural nature of the county” has been the recent cry heard. That sounds real good until a farmer realizes that if we maintain the rural nature of the county, he can’t sell his farm to someone who wants to put in a subdivision. “That’s my retirement you’re messing with.”
I met with several people over the past week to discuss some of the growth issues facing the county. One of the articles that relates is in this week’s News Leader, relating to the quarry projects outside Princeton.
One of the concerns is having the infrastructure, the roads, the utilities, the schools, and the police and fire protection to serve growing areas. If growth is allowed and encouraged everywhere, it becomes unmanageable. If it is encouraged where it makes sense, where it is planned for, and where it is reasonable to serve, then we can do a better job of getting services to people.
The one big determining factor is sewer. If you have sewer service, you can build more lots in an area. If you are on septic tanks, if the land will permit septic tanks, you have to be on a bigger lot.
(Remember that Princeton recently moved their new sewer lift station that will serve the new school to allow new service to a several-mile radius.)
The emphasis on growth comes as the county has recently accepted the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Committee the commissioners appointed earlier this year. That follows several initiatives to try to address growth issues in the county.
Some argue since the county has county-wide zoning in place, we have a comprehensive land use plan for the county. Others quickly point out that 90 of the 100 counties in the state have a comprehensive land use plan, and those who don’t have it, other than Johnston, are hopelessly rural.
One of those who I met with last week was Don Johnson, the former mayor of Benson, who now works with Johnston Community College. Mr. Johnson said most of us in Johnston County still prefer to do business with government one-on-one, button-holing them at the store or on the street and asking for our commissioner’s help.
He related a zoning request in Benson. At a main intersection in town, with businesses on three corners, and the old house on the other corner badly in need of repair, a request to put a business on that fourth corner was tabled after neighbors said they didn’t want a business there. “Legally, they don’t have a leg to stand on,” Mr. Johnson offered.
A comprehensive land use plan puts priorities into place. It suggests where growth is likely to occur, and it plans to provide the services necessary to serve that new population. You can’t sway it and you can depend on it being the same tomorrow as it is today. That’s putting growth on a business-like footing.
As was acknowledged at the recent Blue Ribbon Committee presentation to county commissioners, whatever the county adopts will require some hard decisions. It will be an easier path for the county to avoid any decision.
Clearly the reason we don’t have a comprehensive land use plan in place is because it’s a hard issue to deal with. Still, most understand the need.
At least some on county commissioners are behind this effort, or the committee would not have been appointed. We encourage them to press on and get this road map to the future on the books.
There has been an acknowledgement by the county that they need to do a better job providing in many areas, though I and many would acknowledge that they are trying. One of those areas is recreation.
When the old quarry is filled with water, it could be a wonderful recreation area for many in this county. It is one of the most beautiful areas of Johnston County.
While it is doubtful as it looks now that the county will have a recreation program up and running in seven years, perhaps Princeton could operate a recreation area at the quarry. Perhaps the town and the county could work together to help make that happen. We call on town leaders to have the vision and energy to help make that happen.
It would be a shame if such a wonderful natural resource was not utilized and appreciated.
posted by Barry | 1:35 PM
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