Urban sprawl evident in Columbia
Brookings Institution study: Suburban growth expensive.

By JOHN SULLIVAN of the Tribune’s staff

Published Sunday, December 8, 2002

Growth in the four smaller metro regions of Columbia, Springfield, Joplin and St. Joseph taken together outpaced that of St. Louis and Kansas City in the 1990s. Combined with the unprecedented development of the state’s rural land, the Missouri’s unique growth patterns could threaten the Show Me State’s quality of life, a recent study said.

Growth demands costly infrastructure

Published Sunday, November 3, 2002

Columbia Daily Tribune

This article is presented by the Infrastructure Cost Committee of the Boone County Smart Growth Coalition. Members of the Committee are Elaine Blodgett, John G. Clark, Norman Lenhardt and Ben Londeree. Call Ben Londeree at 445-2550 for more detailed information on how we calculated our estimates and for updated estimates. The coalition is an umbrella organization of 14 local organizations concerned about urban sprawl and related environmental issues in Columbia and Boone County. The coalition’s Web site is at: smartgrowth.missouri.org.

In this article we present data to show that infrastructure associated with urban and suburban population growth is expensive. In subsequent articles we will show that existing taxpayers and utility users underwrite or subsidize much of that cost; we also will offer alternatives for financing infrastructure. Our purpose is to provide facts that can serve as a basis for stimulating and encouraging an open discussion of alternatives for financing infrastructure and their possible consequences.

Philips annexation nixed
City council longs for planned zoning.

The entire Philips farm will remain in the county for at least a little while longer after the Columbia City Council last night unanimously rejected a request to annex 75 acres of the tract.

Panelists aim to revitalize central city

By JUSTIN WILLETT of the Tribune’s staff

Imagine a vibrant inner-city Columbia, where housing is in high demand, wealthy people live next to poor people and corner grocery stores and other neighborhood services abound.

That is Mayor Darwin Hindman’s vision, and he hopes the newly formed Columbia Housing Authority Housing Task Force can unite people to work toward that goal.

Philips annexation would put priceless nature areas at risk

By JOHN IKERD

A front-page article in the May 28 Tribune said, "Nothing’s happened yet on the 500-acre Philips tract in southeast Columbia," which is true today. On June 6, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-3 to deny a request for permanent R-3 zoning on a 75-acre parcel of the Philips property. However, the final decision will be made by the Columbia City Council when it meets Monday.

Coalition presents preservation plan
30-year strategy targets 61 properties.

By MARY JO FELDSTEIN of the Tribune’s staff

A roughly 30-year plan to preserve the rural nature of Boone County was presented to the Boone County Commission this morning.

The Boone County Smart Growth Coalition prepared the plan, which incorporates suggestions from six state and county groups and asks that the county look at 61 Boone County sites as possible areas for preservation.

Access to open space adds value to homes

By JANE ADDISON 

Published Sunday, March 3, 2002

Annie Pope, executive officer of the Home Builders Association of Columbia, writes an interesting article on the Feb. 17 Opinion page. She regrets the rising prices of new homes in the Columbia area. There is no doubt that the price of everything rises - the cost of living, college fees, salaries, health care, etc. But two of the "development exactions" that she mentions do not have to be penalties adding to home buyer costs.

Smart growth is no accident
Coalition studies line between sprawl, stall.

By JO SAPP and DAVIKA THOMAS 

Published Sunday, February 3, 2002

Let’s be clear about this: The Boone County Smart Growth Coalition is an alliance of 14 community and environmental groups collectively representing more than 1,000 members. Together these groups encourage sustainable, prosperous communities that strike a balance between private and public interests, between urban and rural land use, and between developed areas and natural spaces. We believe that by working together we can find common ground and mutual understanding that will eventually lead to creative solutions to the inevitable problems that accompany rapid growth.

Mayor favors loan program
Aid to workers targets central-city homes.

By LIZ VAN HOOSER of the Tribune’s staff, February 3, 2002

Mayor Darwin Hindman wants to fight the perception that central Columbia is overrun with crime. He wants to take head-on the notion that it’s not a good place to buy a home. And he’s hoping to do so, in part, by encouraging city employees to settle down there.

Annexations could make ballots soon
City gets process under way; areas cover 36 square miles.

By JUSTIN WILLETT of the Tribune’s staff, January 29, 2002

City officials have begun a process that could expand the size of Columbia significantly.

P&Z panels to seek authority for joint ventures

By DIDI TANG of the Tribune’s staff, January 27, 2002

City and county planning and zoning commissioners are enthusiastic about the possibilities of working together on land-use planning and co-hosting a public forum online.

Carnahan lands money for southern sewer study

By LIZ VAN HOOSER of the Tribune’s staff, January 26, 2002

ASHLAND - Southern Boone County’s rapid growth is remarkable but is also a "two-edged sword," U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan said yesterday while announcing a federal appropriation of $250,000 to pay for a wastewater research project.

Boomers’ ideal community would offer simplified life

By ANN GOWANS of the Tribune’s staff, January 14, 2002

Because many builders understand where the world is going, most of the housing being constructed these days is put on the market with the claim that it will be a perfect place for the baby boomers to retire.

Housing study supports claims

Coalition estimates each new house costs Columbia $30,177.

By DIDI TANG of the Tribune’s staff, January 8, 2002

When a local group estimated last July that each new home built in Columbia would result in $32,689 in additional infrastructure costs, it was met with skepticism. Critics questioned the validity of the study, which relied upon data from other communities throughout the country.

Six months later, after collecting local data, the Boone County Smart Growth Coalition has found that the figure is close to the mark.

Big picture shows growth gone wild in planning’s absence

We’ve heard it all before, and we’re likely to hear it all again. Developers come into town, spin their tales of a chicken in every pot, riches for all, jobs, economic benefits, yada, yada, etc. and depending upon when, where and how much, either get approval from one of the planning and zoning commissions or are sent packing.