Planning ahead - Letters

Sierra, Sept-Oct, 2002 by Wade W. Morefield

I'm disheartened that Anniston, Alabama, was placed at the top of the list of cities that are sprawling even as their populations are shrinking ("Lay of the Land," May/June, page 23). Our city is indeed shrinking. We lost about 3,000 persons in the 1990s, and now our population is around 24,000. But to imply that our city continues to sprawl to increase its tax base is inaccurate. Yes, Anniston has previously expanded for that reason, but that was prior to 1980. Recently it has made only two major annexations: the Coldwater Mountain area and the former Fort McClellan military reservation.

Through Alabama's outstanding Forever Wild program, Coldwater Mountain is being developed for preservation and for mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Fort McClellan was closed in 1999. Anniston is working to redevelop existing buildings on portions of the property, keeping its campus-like character. The majority of Fort McClellan has already been transferred to federal and state agencies, negating any substantial tax revenue from the annexation.

Anniston will experience tremendous growth pressure over the next 50 to 100 years if current trends continue. We are implementing strategies to accommodate future growth with minimal impact. These include brownfield redevelopment incentives, mixed-use development practices, transit and pedestrian-oriented projects, green-space preservation, stormwater management, and a general focus on quality of life issues. Today's declining population indicates a past in which these critical issues were not addressed, nor sometimes even considered. By planning today, we can ensure a sustainable community in the decades ahead.

Wade W. Morefield,
Planning Director
Anniston, Alabama