On one hand, by Mary Kvalheim

The biggest investment most of us make is in our home. We make that investment based on criteria such as schools, safe neighborhoods and pleasant surroundings. We expect we will be able to live and prosper in the community we have chosen. If we are choosing property for economic development, we look at current land uses and the potential for future business expansion.

I believe we should have a level playing field in both home and business purchases. Purchasers need to know the rules going in. The original developers of the medical waste incinerator, the halfway house and the race track probably thought they were doing a good thing for the area by bringing jobs, services or recreation to the community. The residents in those areas never dreamed development would impact their quality of life as it did. In the end, no one was happy -- but it could have all been so different if everyone had agreed to basic rules up front. I once believed subdivision covenants would protect my investment. That doesn't work unless I can afford to enforce the covenants through the court system. I don't believe the borough should be involved in enforcement of hundreds of different sets of covenants through the legal system (as is done in Houston, Texas, which has no municipal zoning). Borough enforcement should be reserved for ordinances that have moved through a public process.

I don't have enough money to buy enough property to insulate me from the effects of development. As the population grows, there will be more land use conflicts. Communities can work together to solve these conflicts before they happen through zoning. With zoning, we agree to a range of uses or ways a property can be developed. Zoning is a basic tool to plan for the future of a community -- to plan for schools, roads, health facilities and public safety. Knowing where future homes and businesses will be located allows tax dollars to be spent more efficiently, since land can be set aside and funding developed for schools, roads and parks in advance of the need.

Zoning cannot solve existing land use problems. But, a zoning ordinance can be written to support existing land uses that are not compatible with planned growth by grandfathering in already existing uses that may conflict with proposed zoning.

The Planning Commission has many cases presented to us because our residents are unaware of the land use regulations which exist in our borough.

I would support requiring an acknowledgment of a land use regulations permit system. People would know before they build about existing water body setbacks, lot line setbacks, rights-of-way which must be left free, flood hazard areas, etc.

As communities grow and adopt their own comprehensive plans, a process must be provided so communities can petition for existing borough land use ordinances they want to see applied in their area. Planning is the key step we need to ensure each community can develop in the manner it chooses.

We live in a beautiful, thriving community. Our highways are filled with people coming to enjoy the beauty that is ours everyday. This is our community, yours and mine.

Together, we can achieve a climate that fosters economic development while protecting and enhancing the communities where we live and play and raise our children.

Mary Kvalheim is Wasilla resident.