County poised to address Georgetown drainage

By DIDI TANG of the Tribune’s staff, December 04, 2001

Georgetown neighbors will finally see the county try to fix drainage problems that have been irritating them for more than a decade.

Losing Ground

By DIDI TANG of the Tribune’s staff, November 25, 2001

Ben Londeree has watched during the last decade as the creek in his back yard has expanded foot by frustrating foot, toppling the trees that once stood tall and straight along the stream’s banks. "The creek is 8 feet wider than it used to be," said the retired university professor, standing in the middle of County House Branch near Twin Lakes Recreation Area in southwest Columbia.

Lighting proposal worthy of implementation

By KARL KRUSE for the Columbia Tribune, November 4, 2001 

Public discussion about the need to lessen glare, "light trespass" and energy consumption through a reasonable lighting policy goes back to at least 1992. During my nine years on the city council, I remember numerous instances when commercial development proposals were resisted, in part, because of neighborhood concerns about excessive lighting.

Rock Quarry proposal denied by commission

By JUSTIN WILLETT of the Tribune’s staff, September 7, 2001

The Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission last night unanimously recommended for denial a plan by developer Steve Herigon to build 84 townhouses on Rock Quarry Road. 

Building is booming

By DIDI TANG of the Tribune’s staff, August 5, 2001 

As the rapid race of new home development continues, homebuyers are starting to see the benefits of northeast Columbia.

Estimate of impact fees ‘staggering’
Smart Growth Coalition examines costs of development.

By DIDI TANG of the Tribune’s staff, July 13, 2001

A coalition investigating development fees has come up with an estimate of what it might cost per home to develop new subdivisions in Boone County.

According to the Boone County Smart Growth Coalition, the cost per new home for infrastructure such as roads, schools, water and sewer service can be as high as $32,689. The Boone County Commission for five years has unsuccessfully lobbied the legislature to give it the authority to implement development fees. 

Winding road may find new direction

A rezoning request for a 20-acre tract of land north of State Route AC has spurred discussion about long-term plans to reconstruct Rock Quarry Road, a paved street that carries a scenic designation.

State, mayor meet about Philips tract

By JUSTIN WILLETT of the Tribune’s staff, July 03, 2001

City manager Ray Beck and mayor Darwin Hindman met with Missouri Department of Conservation director Jerry Conley yesterday to discuss the future of the Philips tract in southeast Columbia.

"We are exploring what possible uses are compatible," Beck said. "Who might be partners in this and what route the property might go."

Georgetown cites problems with runoff

Neighborhood blames nearby development.

By DIDI TANG of the Tribune’s staff, June 28, 2001

"Developers have destroyed natural habitats," said Angela Howard, president of the Georgetown Neighborhood Association. "The whole ecosystem has been trashed.

"Beck seeks Philips tract partnership"

By JUSTIN WILLETT of the Tribune’s staff, June 25, 2001

As the owners of the Philips property push forward with plans to develop the land, Columbia city manager Ray Beck said he will set up a meeting with the Missouri Department of Conservation to discuss a possible partnership to purchase the land.

Committee to address storm water

By JUSTIN WILLETT of the Tribune’s staff, June 10, 2001

OSAGE BEACH - The city of Columbia will form a citizens committee to help draft storm-water regulations that will help the city meet Environmental Protection Agency requirements and to give the city council guidelines on approving development in sensitive watersheds.

Council gets look at plans for city limits

By JUSTIN WILLETT of the Tribune’s staff, June 9, 2001

OSAGE BEACH - After more than 30 years of voluntary annexations, Columbia’s boundaries have expanded very unevenly, and city officials are looking to voter-approved annexations to help even them out. 

Better zoning key to future, Eftink urges

By BRIAN C. KALLER of the Tribune’s staff, June 08 2001

Ashland city administrator Ken Eftink saw bad planning create multimillion-dollar headaches for his hometown of Cape Girardeau, he said, and doesn’t want the same thing to happen to Ashland.

City girds for more growth

By JUSTIN WILLETT of the Tribune’s staff, June 6, 2001

City manager Ray Beck outlined this morning his programs and priorities for the coming fiscal year during his annual State of the City address.

Minutiae mustn’t bog down storm-water rules

By JIM DAVIS for the Tribune, June 3, 2001

Everyone agrees that health and environmental regulations should be grounded in sound science. This is especially true for storm-water regulations, which have a potentially significant impact on quality of life and economic development. But what does it mean to be “grounded in sound science?” 

County, growth group find common ground

By DIDI TANG of the Tribune’s staff, June 01 2001

The Boone County Smart Growth Coalition has found allies in the county commissioners, who, in turn, said they have waited for a citizens group such as the coalition to be formed to initiate grass-roots efforts ever since the county began dealing with growth issues in the mid-1990s.

Cities tax to keep land green

By MARTHA T. MOORE of USA Today, May 31, 2001

In growing numbers, voters are raising their local taxes to preserve open space in their own backyards.

Eftink: Ashland poised to grow

By DIDI TANG of the Tribune’s staff, May 5, 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.

City works on storm water management plan

By MICHAEL LaPLACA, Missourian staff, May 4, 2001

The state could get local control of storm-water management in Columbia and surrounding areas, if an application pending submission to the Environmental Protection Agency is approved. 

Attorney presents plan for Philips farm 

By BRENDAN COSGROVE, Missourian staff, May 2, 2001

An attorney representing the owners of the Philips property southeast of Columbia said he hopes to petition the city for annexation and rezoning this summer.

Philips Park: First step is to study cost

By HENRY J. WATERS III, Publisher, Columbia Tribune, May 1, 2001

Quite a constituency has arisen in favor of retaining for public use the 500-acre Philips property on the corner of Highway 63 South and Gans Creek Road.

Philips proposal applies pressure

By KAREN SHUGART of the Tribune’s staff, April 26, 2001

A development plan for the 515-acre Philips tract southeast of Columbia details a decidedly different future for the environmentally sensitive area than land preservationists envisioned.

Coalition examines funding for Philips farm

By JULIE STEPHENS, Missourian staff, April 8, 2001 

The Boone County Smart Growth Coalition isn’t banking on state agencies to acquire the 500-acre Philips farm after an inconclusive meeting to gauge interest in the threatened tract.

Coalition renews call for Philips purchase

By DIDI TANG of the Tribune’s staff, April 6, 2001 

With Earth Day two weeks away, Boone County Smart Growth Coalition is gearing up to push for preservation and public acquisition of the Philips Farm.