Lewiston starts planning for possible population boom

By Megan Sonderegger

April 06, 2006| LEWISTON -- Continued growth and possible subdivisions were discussed during Tuesday's Planning and Zoning meeting, allowing committee members to present ideas and opinions which could help allow them to plan for an increase in population.

Councilwoman Karren Jackson presented information, appealing the idea that continued growth is necessary and beneficial to the community. She said although many long-time Lewiston residents feel growth would infer on their agricultural traditions she feels an increased population could result in better funding, better education, and further business and community development. She said by 2025 the population of Cache Valley is expected to double in size and committee members need to start planning for unavoidable growth.

"Growth is inevitable but the negative effects don't have to be," Jackson said.

The committee discussed the possibility of clustering houses together to form subdivisions. They said this developed land would increase availability for agriculture by decreasing the spread between houses. They said this clustering would also reduce costs for sewage and water use because of shared sources.

Although many ideas were discussed committee members agreed changes wouldn't take place until their ideas were developed further and agreed upon by other committee members as well as the council.

"We're not doing this so much to develop but to plan," Jackson said.

In other business, resident Jill Dent was given approval by the committee to go to the City Council meeting on April 18 to receive a business license allowing her to distribute purchased items from her home. Another resident, Mike Smith, received a building permit at the cost of $200.

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