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Time to get off the fence?

I'm still on the fence regarding my personal feelings about countywide development of 16 houses per section.

This is an ag-producing county and state. Efforts must be made to continue to support family farms.

However, as property taxes and tax exemptions for farming operations continue to increase, the county needs to look at ways to spread out the tax burden, but at what cost?

Do we allow any and all development anywhere in the county, and end up with a big mess of providing services to those residents? Or do we allow responsible development in specific areas?

I know the plan is to have the developer initially pay for roads and services but eventually the county is going to have to maintain the roads.

There are no guarantees that everyone who comes to our county will build a $200,000 home, have children in our schools, and participate in our communities.

If the county's comprehensive plan and zoning regulations become too open, there could be more serious issues than lack of development and high tax bills.

See my dilemma? I am all for development but I also believe it must be done with regard to the future. When something is done, it cannot be undone. That's why planning and zoning are so important.

Zoning administrators and planning commissions cannot pick and choose who develops. It has to be uniform — the same across the board for everyone.

So, here I sit, looking for a compromise. Any suggestions?

— SUSAN BERG

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