Boone County master plan says 37,000 housing units needed by 2050
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Boone County released a draft of its master plan on Thursday.
The master plan is used to help as a strategic guide for future growth and decision making on land use. The plan has not been updated in 25 years, the county wrote on its website. Residents can comment on the plan through Dec. 31.
Its website says that public hearings will be held early next year and that the plan will be adopted then, as well.
The plan says that Boone County’s population increased by 50% during the past 25 years. Survey results indicate that concerns from residents include surrounding growth include “increased traffic congestion, higher cost of living, shortage of affordable housing, loss of farmland and natural areas, inadequate infrastructure, potential loss of the picturesque landscape and small-town atmosphere that define Boone County.”
The draft says residents in a survey believed strengths include: Natural environment, scenic beauty, rural/small-town atmosphere, strong institution and employment opportunities. It also says that Boone County hasn’t seen “extensive sprawl” and that the City of Columbia experienced 47% growth.
The draft says that “90% of survey respondents expressed agreement with the statement: ‘Future growth in Boone County should better balance development with the preservation of farmland, rural character, and natural areas.’"
The county is projected to need an additional 37,000 housing units by 2050, the report says. It says that cities in the county have limited available land, but the edges of cities could be crucial for accommodating growth.
Goals of the plan include making an effective plan for land use, having a transportation system that reduces deaths and serious injuries, preserving agricultural and rural heritage, conserving and protecting natural resources, improving utilities and offering a wide range of housing choices.
