Introduction

Any responsible land use plan for Boone County, its cities, and towns must attempt to preserve the natural beauty, environmental quality, and rural character of the area for future generations.

These are what make Boone County truly special. The policies that currently guide local development will not save them. Without a preservation oriented plan the metropolitan area of Columbia will soon form a sea of houses with only occasional strips of land deemed unsuitable for development. We think most of the people in the area want something better and are interested in a comprehensive, positive approach. This is what we offer.

The report of the Boone County Vision Project strongly emphases the value of preservation for the many County residents who participated in this project. Almost every section of this report emphasizes such things as (a) the "need for comprehensive planning," (b) identifying "natural areas and agricultural lands that are the highest priority for preservation," (c) the need for "new zoning laws that could allow preservation of scenic and natural areas, cultural and historic features," (d) developing "strategies to acquire or regulate the use of productive farm land and natural areas (transfer/purchase of developmental rights)," and (e) finding "acceptable ways to balance property rights with the preservation of environmentally sensitive areas."

Given the emphasis on preservation in the Vision Project Report and the nature of the meetings that produced the report, we think that the preservation of the natural and rural character of the area may be the single most important concern to the residents of Boone County at this time.

The present document offers suggestions in seven areas: (1) the necessity for collaboration among governmental entities in Boone County, (2) the identification of lands that are of high priority for preservation, (3) the creation of a Boone County park system,

(4) the creation of land trusts by the city, county, or other appropriate local groups that would acquire and monitor easements on "high priority"land, (5) encouraging agriculture in Boone County, (6) new zoning laws that could allow preservation of scenic and natural areas, cultural and historic features, and (7) encouraging infill development. 

1. COOPERATION/COLLABORATION BETWEEN OF BOONE COUNTY, COLUMBIA  AND OTHER TOWNS IN THE AREA.

With respect to the preservation goals of the present guidelines, collaboration is essential. As an example, consider the establishment of a county park system (discussed below). If such as system were established, most park users might be Columbia residents. However much of the land that might become a part of the park system is not within the Columbia city limits. In addition, Columbia has resources, both financial and administrative that would be helpful for creating and managing a park system. If the county, with the aid of government grants, etc.,  acquires the land for a park system would it have the resources to develop and manage it by itself? Perhaps not, nor would it be fair that it try to do so.

2. THE IDENTIFICATION OF (A) AREAS OF HIGH PRIORITY FOR PRESERVATION AND (B) ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS

It's important to identify environmentally sensitive, scenic and natural areas, agricultural lands, and historical features in Boone County that are of high priority for preservation. Both the Columbia 2020 and the Vision Project reports recognize this.

Current Geographic Information System (GIS) technology allows a wide range of geographic information to be queried easily. The attributed information, i.e., soil characteristics, geologic formations, areas of cultural significance, roads, rivers, greenbelts, viewsheds, endangered specie habitats, etc. can be displayed individually or simultaneously to show the inter-relatedness of these physical features.

A GIS system has been started by Boone County; the University of Missouri has programs (CARES, MSDIS, Geography Department, School of Natural Resources) that have data available and the expertise to aid in meeting the goals of these guidelines.

3. THE CREATION OF BOONE COUNTY PARK SYSTEM

The creation of a county park system would be of great importance for the long term preservation of the natural beauty and environmental quality of the area. Without such a system even land identified as a high priority for preservation will quickly be developed.

The Boone County Board of Parks Commissioners has started to develop a plan that could be helpful for the creation of a park system. On Oct. 10, 2000 it stated its mission to be: "To make recommendations to the Boone County Commission for the acquisition, use, development and maintenance of any lots, tracts, or parcels of ground for the purpose of public parks, open space, playgrounds, camping sites, organized recreation and/or closed sanitary landfills (that may be appropriate for park uses)."

It further defines their duties and responsibilities to include: (a) establishing a system for citizen input, (b) identifying lands currently owned by the county or lands that would be appropriate for acquisition, (c) ascertaining the parks and recreational lands needs of the county,  and (d) coordinating efforts with state and federal agencies that own or manage public lands. 

We hope that the County Commission will encourage the Parks Board in these efforts.                        

4. THE CREATION OR LOCAL LAND TRUSTS AND CONSERVATION EASEMENTS

The protection of lands identified as being of "high priority" for preservation requires that the land, or the development rights to the land, be acquired (by either donation or purchase) by a government entity or land trust to ensure proper maintenance and public access. This can be accomplished in part through conservation (or cultural, historical, etc.) easements and the acquisition of development rights by land trusts.

The city and county might become party to easements and trusts on land that is either of high priority for acquisition or forms buffers around special areas or that will become part of a county park system later.

The Columbia Greenbelt Coalition has recently established a land trust for environmental purposes. In addition, the city of Columbia, has established a trust to promote charitable giving that could be used for environmental preservation.

5. ENCOURAGING ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY FAMILY FARMING.

Family farms are more than just food factories. They can have value for aesthetic, economic, and environmental reasons. A small vineyard or orchard, a ten‑acre truck farm, or a larger field of corn in a river bottom can be attractive and can enhance the quality of life in the area.

Family farms can have extensive environmental benefits that logically require their support in a preservation oriented land use plan. This especially true if they are run in an environmentally friendly way (e.g., organically). They can reduce erosion, help control runoff, protect water quality, serve as wildlife habitat, etc.

There are several ways the preservation of small family farms can be encouraged by city and county governments: (a) by financial contributions to farmer's market facilities, (b) by tax incentives for personal property (farm equipment) and real estate used for food production, (c) by infrastructure/development fee reduction for farms, (d) by planning and zoning regulation changes that encourage cluster housing and mixed use developments in rural areas, etc.

6. NEW ZONING REGULATIONS

The Boone County Vision Project suggested the creation of zoning laws that would encourage environmental and agricultural preservation.  The current agricultural districts do not, by themselves, appear to be adequate for preservation purposes because they allow residential construction on small lots. Other agricultural districts, requiring larger areas for residential construction, e.g., 20 acres, could be developed by the county.

The use of Planned Rural Development (PRD) overlay districts, which are currently in existence, and Character Preservation overlay districts, which are currently under consideration, can be used to encourage clustered housing developments that include land dedicated to green space, recreation, agriculture, scenic roads and other specified purposes. These are conducive to preservation purposes and their use should be encouraged.

7. ENCOURAGING INFILL DEVELOPMENT

The population of Boone County will probably grow at the rate of approximately 2% per year for the foreseeable future. Given this trend, Efforts should be made to encourage a denser style of development and help channel the direction of expansion up rather than out. This would reduce pressure for outward expansion into the county, promote less expensive infrastructure costs, and help achieve the general goals of these guidelines.