Of the three “Limited Area of More Intense Rural Development” proposals for the Country Corner region, only one makes sense.

With its current residential zoning (two units per acre) and multiple businesses, the area is clearly already an activity center. It’s also one of the busiest crossroads on the island.

There are three options on the table: a mixed use residential and commercial boundary, a strictly commercial boundary, and no boundary at all. Establishing just a commercial boundary would require the current density of residential lots to be reduced and not setting a designation at all would be irresponsible growth management. But a mixed use LAMIRD would allow for commercial businesses to thrive and the residential density to remain as it is. It would also allow for accessory dwelling units on each piece of property, potentially meeting an affordable housing need.

The primary objection is this: the LAMIRD designation gives Eastsound Sewer and Water District the ability to run a main line and require residents to hook up if their current system is failing, they build a new house, they change the use, or they sell the property.

And the price tag to homeowners? Between $6,000 and $8,000. Homeowners in the area can’t agree on what is best for the neighborhood, in large part because of this potential cost.

ESWD’s stance is this: they understand the financial burden of asking people to make the switch. They are willing to work out a financial package – possibly pro-rating the cost over an extended period of years – to reduce it to a workable monthly payment. OPALCO has shown us that utilities are willing to work with their constituents.

ESWD is not going to force anyone to connect unless they can prove there is contamination. Wouldn’t you want to correct the issue too, if your system was compromising our water source? If we let it go unaddressed too long, the state could come in, and we can guarantee they won’t offer a nice pro-rated package to fix the problem.

The fact that the LAMIRD is tied up with a potentially hefty sewer cost is unfortunate, because it is getting in the way of the bigger picture: the Country Corner area is already functioning as an activity center and it should be labeled as such to meet the requirements of the Growth Management Act. Connecting to the sewer will be a burden, but it’s the cost of doing what’s necessary to keep our island clean, free of urban sprawl, and progressing into a future of well managed growth.