Eftink: Ashland poised to grow
City administrator addresses coalition.

By DIDI TANG of the Tribune’s staff

Story ran on Friday, May 4, 2001

Ashland has an opportunity to grow well if its leaders plan well, city administrator Ken Eftink told members of the Boone County Smart Growth Coalition on Wednesday night.

"It’s a good problem to have," Eftink said of Ashland’s rapid growth. The population, according to the 2000 census, has grown to 1,869, up from 1,252 in 1990. Although that represents a 50 percent increase, Ashland officials say the figure might be even higher.

"We believe we have significantly more," said Ashland mayor Charlie Campbell, who estimated about 2,200 people live in Ashland.

Ashland’s land area has doubled since last summer to about 2,000 acres. In 1990, the city spanned only 506 acres. The city last fall annexed 840 acres, extending its borders to Columbia Regional Airport. More recently, it annexed more than 100 acres and zoned it for commercial and industrial purposes. Proposed zoning maps will be released soon, Campbell said.

"We’re no longer burdened with the assumption of a bedroom community," he said.

Growth, however, has given rise to concerns about infrastructure, environmental protection and community sustainability.

"Instead of fixing problems, we should look ahead of problems," Eftink said.

The city of Ashland constantly has been revising its planning and zoning regulations to accommodate and control development, Eftink said. A community meeting is scheduled for next Thursday to hear public opinion on the city’s future.

This year’s Ashland budget includes $1.3 million for capital improvements, Campbell said.

Officials also are concerned about the imbalance between residential development and economic growth. "Now we’re working actively with commercial developers and investors on a daily basis," Campbell said.

Campbell expects Ashland will have significantly more business development, such as grocery stores and factory outlets, within two years. Commercial development, he said, will boost city tax revenue and allow improved services.

A local Realtor lauded city officials’ efforts to protect quality of life and to follow a "do no harm" environmental policy.

"They try to protect what really is a terrific place to live," said Carl Freiling, who is also a member of the Boone County Planning and Zoning Commission.

Freiling noted that Ashland officials three years ago refused to accommodate a trucking facility that he said "would have been really detrimental to the community."