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Rural life under pressure in Amalga By
Reuben Wadsworth
Town resident Martin Jensen said he likes not having as many rules and restrictions. He said he likes roaming around in the open spaces and walking somewhere without being on his neighbor's property. He said crime is not problem in Amalga and everyone knows everyone. "Where else can you get a pretty view of the mountains,² said resident Wendell Hansen. The river bottom in town offers view of ducks and geese according to Hansen. "That's what makes life worth living," Hansen said. But if things keep up like they are, that rural feel may be a thing of the past in about 20 years. "Itıs inevitable," said Scott Jensen, chairman of the Amalga Board of Adjustments. How quickly growth engulfs the town depends on the economy, Martin Jensen said. If people are doing well financially, there will be more building, he explained. Hansen said that if there are zoning ordinances on the books, the commission needs to enforce them and make no exceptions. If the commission makes one exception, anyone else that applies for a permit would think he would get the same benefit of the doubt, Hansen explained. If there is any question as to whether a potential builder can't meet specifications the commission should turn him down, Scott Jensen said. "You open yourself up too much if you say yes," he said. Scott Jensen said he doesnıt like the fact that in some areas of town 250 feet of frontage is required to build. He said this is harder to deal with because there is no way any of that land can be farmed and more often than not, it turns into weeds. Allowing 150 feet of frontage across the board will look better and might actually curb growth, he explained. Scott Jensen concedes that rather than fight growth, the city must let it go. "If a guy can own property and make some money, let him do it," he said.
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