Public Involvement Is Crucial To Dealing Effectively With Rapid Growth

We can make a difference.

Many people are getting nervous about the rapid growth in North Idaho. They choose to live here because of the small size, beauty, recreation and weather. They see the first of these reasons changing and threatening to change more. They worry about growth affecting the other reasons. Even the forecast could change to “dismal.”

We know growth will come. We’re reluctant to accept it, but the reasons that we’re here are the same that will bring others here - and their businesses that may employ thousands of people. Heaven forbid.

Knowing that growth is inevitable, what we must do, then, is control it. We must make sure a development is right for the area and either stop it early or force it to comply to reason.

An area must be ready for a change, such as a housing development or a large, new business.

Here’s a checklist of what you can do:

Make sure the utilities can stand growth for their supply and transport. Check on water sources, sewage or septic disposal, power and telephone. In each case, worry about health and safety, location of transport and type of transport, such as wiring or piping above or below ground.

Can the roads take the added traffic? Are they wide enough? Is their structure sound enough? Will they be affected by added utilities? What about intersections? How will this affect connecting roads and main thoroughfares? What about gutters, curbs, sidewalks, bike lanes?

Do the developer or the affected neighbors pay for the improvements to be made?

Make sure the zoning is right and that the plan fits the comprehensive plan for the area. Be alarmed if proposed denser zoning would not be compatible to your area. How will this affect the value of your property?

Do the local schools have room for an influx of students? What’s the contingency plan? Get an opinion from the school administration. Press them if they drag their feet.

What will this do to the environment? How will construction and paving affect the water runoff? Will plant life and wildlife be affected? What kind of a load can our water supply and waste disposal methods take? Get facts from proper agencies.

Will fire and police protection be adequate?

What is the record of the developer (and associated companies) in similar situations? What about the taxes the land owner has paid and will pay on the property? Are they equitable?

Make sure the development has designated park and open space area. Be very wary that the developer may try to pull a “trade-off.” Some common trade-offs are to forsake the neighborhood park area by trading other land the developer owns for a regional park or a bike lane. (The regional park won’t do the neighborhood any good and the bike lane should be included in the first place).

We’re all aware that the developers make deals with the government folks - from the planning peons to the big cheeses. That’s how the trade-offs occur.

However, amazingly, these same government officials usually listen to reason. The result can be effective if the reasoning is accomplished through research and facts rather than emotion and if the hearings are attended by a great number of people.

That’s what public hearings are for.

The more concerned people that show up, the better. Let the public officials know an army will be arriving so the hearing may be moved to a larger location in plenty of time and so that the public can be adequately notified.

Rather than have many people whine and cry their testimonies, delegate different areas of spokesmanship to the most influential people.

Have neighborhood organizational meetings as soon as the proposed development is rumored. Have a responsible person collect the initial facts and present them in a second group meeting.

Divide the group into pods to research categories, possibly using the above points as examples. Each pod can meet separately to determine people to research the category and report back to the pod. Analyze and interpret the data and determine the intent and effect of the development on the category. Select a pair of wordsmiths to write a factual report and a spokesman to present it at the hearing. Make certain the report will fit the time allotment allowed.

Not just each category’s spokesman should attend the hearing. Everyone should go and sign the meeting roster to indicate how they feel about the project. Avoid being emotional, especially as a group. Government officials are negatively affected if a group is boisterous or obnoxious.

If the hearing is continued, the same contingent should continue to attend.