Panoramic subdivision debates paving

Panoramic View Estates residents are being asked if they want 4.5 miles of the subdivision's main roads to be paved.

Those in favor believe that reduced dust, wear and tear on vehicles, increased property value and more complete service from school buses and postal carriers would make the project worthwhile.

Opponents to paving are unsure of those benefits and say they moved to Panoramic for the rural lifestyle, for Panoramic's "stubborn backwoods character," which they feel would be threatened by paved roads, higher speeds and a loss of privacy.

Jerry Hakes, president of the Panoramic Access Special Road District, proposed in a letter dated October 22 paving just the two main loops of Panoramic with asphalt to a width of 18 feet.

A previous survey of area residents, about four years ago, proposed paving all the roads in the subdivision to a width of 25 feet. Only 33 percent of homeowners agreed to that proposal.

But recently, more residents have expressed an interest in paving, according to Hakes, so the road district board decided to send out a new survey. They cut the distance to be paved about in half, and the pavement width from 25 to 18 feet, and the surface from an 0-9 oil mat to asphalt.

Hakes said that the cinder roads are difficult to maintain. "We have been doing the same things for seven years, and never make an improvement. The road just gets torn up."

People drive too fast, he says, and in summer, when dust is a big problem, grading does little good.

"You can't grade a dry road. Much of the time we can't get water, and when we do (get water), it costs a lot of money." Hakes said the road district has about a $10,000 annual budget.

The new, scaled-down proposal will still not be inexpensive. The road district board estimated it would cost about $3,000 per tax parcel.

Those who do not want paving appreciate the efforts of the road district's board of directors. They just don't want paved roads.

"I moved here 11 years ago. I wanted to live in the country away from pavement and the town. This (Panoramic) was someplace close to town, but with more of a country setting. It is part of my lifestyle. I have a big garden, animals and chickens. To me, being on pavement doesn't go with that," explained Brent McGregor.

McGregor agrees that the rutted roads have been "really rough on the rigs." But before paving, he would like to see water brought in and the roads graded once a month.

Philip Krohn agrees. He has written to the board, suggesting that increased speeds, and the increased traffic from non-residents that paved roads invite, would have a detrimental effect on the subdivision.

Krohn also points out that paving is irrevocable. "I would hate to make a decision to pave and be sorry we did it."

Road district treasurer Phil Shepard said that the survey that went out to property owners so far has shown more people in favor of paving than opposed. Shepard said there were 142 tax parcels in the Panoramic Access Special Road District, with 123 owners (some own two or three tax lots.)

So far, Shepard said he had received about 82 cards in return, 47 saying yes to pavement and 35 saying no. "Plus, we got a number who did not vote but sent their card back with questions."

Shepard said the board planned another meeting soon to urge property owners to return their cards, "otherwise we won't know what the voters want. There are a lot of people here who like the dirt roads, and a lot of people who can't afford (the cost of paving.)

Philip Krohn hopes more information becomes available to property owners before a final decision is made, and a through discussion of paving benefits and pitfalls.

Road district president Jerry Hakes said that a final decision is a long way off. It would be about a year before the issue hit the ballot for an election. Before then, issues of cost and financing would have to be arranged. Much of this is unfamiliar ground for the road district board.

"We are all volunteers trying to learn how to do business the right way," said Hakes. "We are just learning as we go. If the majority want it, then it will probably happen. But the majority will hold the rule on the thing."