Business View Civil & Municipal Apr-2023

69 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 4 He shares that these first master-planned communities have brought other projects to the city, adding, “We have at least four development agreements that have been negotiated. If they all continue, close on their property, and do develop, that alone is another almost 5000 single-family residential homes, which would double the population again. We are primed for continued rapid growth.” Along with the residential development, the city is beginning to see increased interest on the commercial side, something Hemminger predicts will continue. He does want to make it clear that there is an effort to protect the character of the community, even as it embraces this growth. “There is still an emphasis by some of those long-time families that want to safeguard that rural, small-town feel. As we’re looking at developments that are coming, we try to look for ways to give the people that are interested the suburban feel and amenities, while also keeping the rural openness and the larger lot IOWA COLONY, TE XAS