Ah… It’s a good life, living in the country.
The neighbors are not right up next you your house. There’s room for a dog and cat to run. With permission, the kids can run around in the neighbor’s pasture. The creeks are clean and don’t have trash. At night you can look up and see the Milky Way as it runs from Sagittarius clear across the sky to Casseopia. The only thing to worry about is whether the cows get out. (Well, not really.)
Life sure is good!
Riley County offers the best of both rural and suburban life. That is what draws many folks to want to life in the country. But that is not without issues.
The Riley County Planning Department has been working on Vision 2025 for a couple of years now. The purpose is to address zoning and land use issues related to the population growth in Riley County, outside of the Manhattan city limits.
The plan is nearing completion and they are soliciting public comments. Two significant changes to zoning are proposed…
- Minimum lot size – In 1980 the minimum lot size was established at 20 acres. The purpose was to help keep agriculture land in agriculture. More and more folks now are able to afford the 20 acre lots, and there are many 20 acre lots that are not being used for production agriculture. Vision 2025 is proposing either 80 or 160 acre lot sizes.
- Density bonus program – To help offset the increased lot sizes, a density bonus is being proposed. This will allow the 80 (or 160) acre lot to be platted for a couple of residences.
Like it or not, land use and zoning are an important part of civil structure. It helps to promote the Common Good.
Go to the Vision 2025 website and provide your input as this process winds down. The voice of the public is essential.
- Dan