By Brenna R. Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

In fast-developing Boone County, some call growth "sprawl," while others call it "controlled" - but everyone has an opinion. Residents can let the Smart Growth Coalition for Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky know what they think about development in Boone County at a forum Thursday night.

The forum is designed to find solutions to "sprawling development" in Boone County, according to the coalition. Residents can also learn about land-use policies that can be used to manage growth.

IF YOU GO

• What: Boone County Smart Growth Forum. • When: 7 p.m. Thursday. • Where: Ellis Boone Cooperative Extension Service, 6028 Camp Ernst Road, Burlington.

Boone County is the state's second-fastest growing county and the 96th-fastest growing county in the United States. Last year, 1,386 single-family building permits were issued in Boone, a 13 percent increase from 2001. From 1990 to 2000, the county grew 49 percent. Its population now stands at 93,290, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

At the forum, a facilitator will show slides of development types in Boone and ask participants for their input, said Liz Brown, spokeswoman for the coalition.

After the forum, the coalition will compile a report from the meeting and send to it county officials, county planners and all the participants.

"We are an educational organization," Brown said. "We are trying to get people to look at development in a way they never thought of before."

That includes using "smart growth" as a guideline for new development, Brown said. The coalition defines smart growth as well-planned development that channels growth into existing areas.

"I talked to them and said, 'We debated this topic back in the '90s,' " said Kevin Costello, executive director of the Boone County Planning Commission.

The principles of smart growth are reflected in the county's comprehensive plan, Costello said. The 180-page plan is the county's guide for development for the next 20 years.

Costello said the development in the county is planned and not "sprawling," as the coalition contends.

The coalition is conducting 18 forums in nine counties, including Boone. The forums are funded by a grant from the Regional Initiatives Fund, affiliated with the Greater Cincinnati Foundation.

E-mail bkelly@enquirer.com