Candidates offer different views on growth management planning

COLUMBIA — Columbia is growing, and candidates have expressed differing views on how city government should approach that growth.

Two projects in the works will likely lead to significant development and determine the direction of Columbia's growth: The Columbia Public School District plans to build a new public high school northeast of the city, and an extension of Stadium Boulevard is planned on the east side of the road..

To prepare, Columbia and Boone County planning officials have worked together on two growth management projects. The Northeast Columbia Area Plan, approved by the City Council in December, addressed a roughly five-square-mile area around the proposed high school on St. Charles Road. Work is now under way on the East Columbia Area Plan, which will study a 21-square-mile area south of Interstate 70 and east of U.S. 63.

The area plan process is a study of environmental issues, city service needs, roadway capacity and rules for possible land use in anticipation of future development. Community feedback plays a significant role in planners' recommendations. Planners and City Council members will use the finalfindings of the studies to guide decisions on projects proposed by developers.

The City Council has twice tabled a proposed annexation and zoning of 271 acres off Richland Road, a project that would be adjacent to the proposed Stadium Boulevard extension. A majority of council members said they would like to see the area plan completed before deciding whether to approve the annexation.