Growth, change in a community

A brief response to an article in this morning’s Herald Leader:

Northwest Arkansas, of which Siloam Springs is a part, has been growing over the past five or more years. In fact it’s grown phenomenally, adding more than 1,000 residents per month to the MSA. Siloam is a little town about twenty miles removed from most of the hubbub, although it to grew nearly 30% from 2000-2006.

With growth comes change. People everywhere are averse to change, all-too-comfortable in our daily routines. The aforementioned newspaper article reported on last night’s city planning meeting, during which a new apartment complex was approved. It seems to me that any time a new subdivision (apartments or not) is proposed opponents show up like a broken record. Common complaints are a decrease in property value, drainage issues and increased traffic. Let’s address these one at a time.

Property Value: There is no guarantee property values will always rise. There is no city, state or federal ordinance, no Divine decree, establishing the right of a homeowner to take away more than he or she puts into a property.

Drainage: Of these three, this is the most legitimate. However, the city does employ engineers to deal with these kinds of things. If it seems the engineers are doing a poor job, complain about the engineering, not about the new subdivision.

Traffic: Roads in Siloam Springs are very narrow. Most do not have curb and gutter (or sidewalks). Nonetheless, it seems to me the “traffic card” serves as a scapegoat more than a valid concern. Streets can be widened, and will be as needed. Traffic is not a problem in Siloam Springs outside of Hwy 412 — with it’s inane “chicken lane.” Sure, you may have to wait at the four-way stop at Mt. Olive and University on your way to work at 8 a.m., but how long do you really wait? If you really hate traffic that much, work out of your home.

City growth is not a given. In another ten years, Siloam may see a decrease in population. And I’m glad for the forum, the public planning meetings, open to citizens who will hopefully keep the elected and appointed officials in line. But don’t just go to the meetings to whine about your property values or a few more cars driving down your street. If, as a resident, you don’t like the direction your community is headed (and have exhausted all of your options as an influencer), if you’d rather live in a gated community or convent, move to a different town.

But remember, change is a part of life.