How will we handle growth?

Once an obscure, rural community centered around a single four-way stop, Pea Ridge has grown, expanded and extends miles beyond what was once the city limits. Some people resisted the growth. Others encouraged it. Some had vision and embraced what was coming and sought orderly growth. Others stuck their heads in the sand trying to deny the growth and ignore the inundation.

When a child grows, parents must buy new shoes, new clothes because the ones he was wearing are worn out and too small. The child's world expands from a bassinet to a crib to a full-size bed, from nursery to preschool to high school, college and beyond.

What happens in a family in microcosm, happens in a community in macrocosm.

When a town grows, infrastructure can be too small, incapable of handling the demands placed on it day after day. Streets wear more quickly because of increased traffic, while the water systems -- potable water and sewage -- eventually cannot meet the needs of the every-growing number of users. Emergency services -- police, fire, ambulance -- personnel are stressed by increased pressure and calls.

Pea Ridge, with a population that has grown from 2,346 in 2000 to 4,794 in 2010 to an estimated 5,117 in 2015, is fast coming upon a crossroads. The population has more than doubled since 2000. Of those numbers, the population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau is now 89 percent urban and 11 percent rural.

Which road are we going to take? Will we turn right to avoid costly issues, turn left to stick our head in the sand -- or take the challenges head-on?

We believe that the only choice is to take on the growth with a plan for the future.

That takes a cooperative effort. Some people are better at vision and planning, others are better at day-to-day management. But, no longer can we continue placidly just because "we've always done it that way."

In 1976, The TIMES (then named Pea Ridge Graphic-Scene) editors Earle and Billie Jines wrote an editorial congratulating and thanking members of the Park Commission for the new city park. That editorial coincided with two news articles relating City Council business which approved an ordinance setting regulations for subdivisions and one to create a Park Commission

To quote from the June 30, 1976, editorial:

"What the ordinances say most loudly is that Pea Ridge is becoming a city -- an urban environment. They also are comments on the type of city that is taking shape.

"Section 1, paragraph A of the subdivision regulations says 'The purpose of this ordinance is to set forth the procedures, requirements, and minimum standards governing the subdivision of land...'

"A 'subdivision' which would be affected by the ordinance is defined in Section 1, paragraphs D, as 'a division of a lot, tract, or parcel of land into five or more lots, for the purpose of transfers of ownership or development, which includes, the provision of access to lots and parcels, the extension or provision of utilities; and the parceling of land resulting in the need for access or utilities.'

"In other words, lots developed for private use (not for sale) or a development of four or fewer lots in a tract, are not affected by the regulations

"Subdivision of five or more lots are affected and must include good paved streets, and adequate provision for utilities, drainage and living space.

"That's what it all boils down to. And that's good.

"The Graphic-Scene extends editorial congratulations and thanks to the Pea Ridge Planning Board members who developed the subdivision regulations and to the City Council members who voted them into law."

The TIMES encourages residents and voters to get involved. There are many civic organizations as well as government councils on which to serve. Many hands make the work light and it takes different perspectives to make a great community to serve all who call Pea Ridge home.