Housing developments starting to increase past city limits

On Wednesday, Boone County commissioners said they noticed an increase of permits for housing developments out in the county.

Fred Parry, the southern district commissioner of Boone County, said the increase is partly because of the zoning ordinances in Columbia city limits. He said even though the city’s and county’s ordinances are very similar, the city’s is more strict.

Parry said one issue that has arisen from the increase of homes in the southern part of the county is sewer capacity. He said Columbia is maxed out for sewer capacity.

But, Parry said, the Boone County Regional Sewer District is working with developers so the growth of homes doesn’t have to stop.

Parry also said the increase of permits for housing developments is because the economy has improved, so people are able to buy homes again.

He said developers are now trying to catch up with the demand for houses, especially affordable housing.