University of Washington plan gives Palmerites something to think about

Frontiersman editorial board

Whenever the issue of planning or zoning is on the agenda, you can count on a crowd in the Valley. One thing that has changed over the years is the mood of those crowds, though. In years past, just mentioning zoning was enough to draw an angry response. As density has increased, however, and as the footprints of rapid growth have encroached on more and more property owners, the idea of controlled growth has become more appealing.

On Friday and Saturday, faculty and student members of a University of Washington planning team presented the results of their planning project for the city of Palmer. The was begun after the team first visited Palmer in September. On Saturday, a crowd of about 80 people filed into the Palmer Depot building to hear the presentation. It was a quiet, thoughtful crowd - more curious than querulous.

The students and professors had worked out an extensive conceptual plan and, as conceptual plans are apt to do, it produced some results that seemed a little high-falutin for a small Alaska town. Still, much of the plan was simple, and seemed aimed at preserving the things Palmerites have come to love about their community. A premium was placed on preserving the agricultural and historical aspects of Palmer, while improving the retail district of the city's downtown area.

During the break, when people had the opportunity to mingle and study the maps and diagrams, it was clear by listening that people in Palmer are serious about fostering intelligent growth - although there remain some differences of opinion about what that means.

"That all looks great," one resident said to another. "But how do they propose to pay for all that?"

"I really think there are some great ideas here," another person said. "I think we're finally getting somewhere."

The next city council meeting in Palmer is scheduled for Feb. 8, and zoning is on the menu. The zoning discussion was tabled at the last meeting so the results of the University of Washington project could be considered. One thing the Washington team emphasized was that the planning process truly belongs to the people of Palmer - and that the city council can serve to facilitate, but not direct, the growth of the town. We hope Palmerites take that to heart and attend the council meeting. If you participate in the beginning, you're contributing. If you wait until later, you'll just be complaining.