In a My Turn article by Leah Southwell in the Oct. 22 edition of The Press, the headline stated "New Code Attacks Property Rights." The author goes on to denigrate the proposed code, and the process used to create it.

As a long-term resident of Kootenai County, a retired land use planner, and a member of the County Planning & Zoning Commission, I believe I have the credentials and the duty to write a rebuttal to Ms. Southwell's article.

It's true that this proposed unified land use code is being drafted by Kendig Keast, a planning firm with many years of experience in drafting codes. While I believe it is the duty of the planning staff at the county to propose and draft many of the codes used within the county, this is one of those times that a broader perspective that a consultant can give is warranted. Based on their overall experience and expertise, Kendig Keast was selected to accomplish this task of drafting a new land use code.

It is safe to say that very few citizens were enamored by the existing codes or the way that they have been implemented or administered. The existing codes have had numerous amendments and Band-Aids and have become increasingly difficult to administer. The existing codes are out of touch with the newly adopted plan. There is also new technology available that may help make the new code easier to use by the public and be administered by the county. The county commissioners decided to completely overhaul the land use codes subsequent to the adoption of the new county land use plan.

Ms. Southwell stated that "the primary goal of Kendig Keast is to preserve open space." Not true! The primary goal of Kendig Keast is to conduct a public input process and draft a unified land use code based on the goals and objectives found within the newly adopted comprehensive plan. The proposed code would be decided upon by the county commissioners after a public hearing process. There was clear public sentiment expressed within the plan "that the county's beauty and culture not be compromised and that growth occurs in a responsible way that preserves these virtues." The process used to develop the new code is clearly fair and responsible.

Ms. Southwell said "we were told that our history of 5-acre lots are unsustainable and damaging to the environment." Based on past growth trends, 5-acre lots are unsustainable. There is simply not enough land out there. Certainly, many of us view owning our own 5-acre parcel as one of the "American Dreams" and no one has said, to my knowledge, that there would be no more. Let's look at some facts.

In 1980, more than 43 percent of our population lived outside incorporated cities. By 2000, this percentage had declined to about 33 percent and today it is around 25 percent. There are many factors at work here, but it is reasonable to foresee more people living within our urban areas. That is where most of the jobs are located as well as the services we rely upon. The high cost of energy also reduces the number of citizens willing to commute long distances to work. Our county plan recognizes this trend by encouraging urban development to take place within incorporated cities where services (sewer and water, etc.) are more readily available.

Where will our future jobs be? Most will be in the cities. We have seen the decline of our resource based jobs (lumber, agriculture, and mining). There will always be some of these types of jobs but not on the large scale as in the past. There are few industries or large scale commercial businesses that would choose to locate very far from population centers.

This new land use code that is being developed will never please everyone; codes never have. I agree with Ms. Southwell that we need to be involved. It will be, after all is said and done, our code. Many people have been and are involved in this effort and there will be ample opportunities for comment and involvement throughout the process. It has been my experience that the consultant has been very good at responding to comments and questions and I can also say that our County Commissioners want citizens to be involved.