By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
A growth area and an expansion
are two different things.
Mona council members have
discovered that difference and have now acted to make a
necessary change in the two with the county land use
board.
A city, town or unincorporated
developed area in close proximity to a city is designated as
an expected growth area.
Suburbs, largely residential, are
often built in these areas after annexation takes place and
such areas are dependent on the city for employment and
support services; generally characterized by low-density
development relative to the city.
An Urban Growth Area (UGA) is the
term used to describe the maximum boundary or expansion area
for a city.
Municipalities may annex
unincorporated territory contiguous to and adjoining the
municipal boundaries.
The Urban Growth Area boundaries
are adopted by the cities in the Master Plan.
"We did select and designate a
growth area about six years ago," said Bryce Lynn, mayor.
"We told the county what we wanted included in our growth
area."
It did little good, he said. The
city council at the time designated what they considered a
potential growth area which included the property to
Burraston Ponds on the south of the community.
"The county cut back the area,"
said Lynn.
It has been a sore spot that the
area around Burraston Ponds was excluded by the county
planning commission. Since that time, three county-approved
cluster subdivisions have been designed for the
area.
Council members think the county
should have considered what they wanted before excluding any
of the designated area.
It was treated more as a
suggestion than a request, they charged.
"A growth area is different from
an expansion area," said Cory Squire, council member. "We
want to designate the proper area so that the county will
listen to what we want. We are trying to look out for the
future."
He said the city council was now
designating land around the community as an expansion
area.
"When this is done, it will be
solid enough to give the city control over growth around the
city," said Squire.
Council members voted to accept
an amendments to the city master plan designating an
expansion area the city council is comfortable with so that
growth will occur in an orderly manner.
Most agree that land use control
is a way to control sprawl and its associated problems and
to make certain that areas in that expansion area need to
build roads and infrastructure that will meet with the
design plan of the city.
"The county adopted a growth zone
map," said Patrick Painter.
"I'm sure that you will have to
file the map with, at least, the county clerk and the county
planning (land use) administrator. This is a city map and
the city is putting the county on notice that the city has
notified those offices of the city's intent."
Allen Pay, city water master,
said that the amendment should have the effect of, at least,
making those on the county level more aware of the intent of
the city.
There are certain areas the city
would like to see annexed. Those areas include the natural
development of the community north, south and
east.
"We do not want growth west,"
said Rory Nielson, council member. "We want to discourage
growth in that direction."
The reason the city council has
such reluctance is because of the drainage problems
associated with that area.
Annexations occur for a number of
reasons.
One reason is economics.The
property owner benefits because of the enhanced value for
the annexed property due to the benefits and services
available from the municipality.
The City benefits because of the
increased tax revenue.
Another benefit to a property
owner is the potential for an enhanced quality of life for
the users of the new developments.
Logically defined municipal
boundaries provide a sense of stability that allows
residents and property owners to effectively participate in
the land use decisions that impact property.
Desirable maximum expansion
limits are established for the purpose of providing the best
physical transition between the development of a city and
the development which will take place beyond.
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