Round two in growth debate

Round two in the county's proposed growth ordinance is Thursday. According to the agenda, commissioners will hear the second reading of an ordinance setting the county's growth limit to a compounded 2 percent annually.

For any other ordinance, a successful second reading would mean we would have a new rule to follow.

However, it is entirely possible the growth ordinance will get a third hearing before it clears county commissioners.

It has been kind of quiet since the first reading of the ordinance on April 5. We assume folks on both sides of the issue have been taking a breather to see what happens with the ordinance.

We feel the ordinance is an excellent compromise between both sides.

Had a compounded 2-percent growth rate been implemented with the 1996 master plan, there would be roughly 7,000 fewer people here today.

Carson Valley is and will be a desirable place to live far into the future.

Maintaining a reasonable growth rate allows business to flourish while people wishing to move here can find a place to live where they have the goods and services they need.

No one can predict the future, and there is no telling what this place will look like in 50 years. But with luck and planning, perhaps we would at least recognize the place we love today.