It’s been quite the few weeks in our community with all the talk about housing developments and moving forward with zoning issues. Woodbury residents decided to get organized and put together enough voices to ask some very important questions about a proposed rezoning vote that would allow high-density apartments to be constructed on what is currently zoned as recreation space or park space by the city of Craig.

There are many voices involved in this process, and by this time most have been heard, and quite a bit of the misunderstandings have been straightened out so that a vote about the issue at hand should be happening soon. Craig City Council members will have to determine the cost of their vote weighed against the benefit of improving the housing situation in Craig.

This is not an easy decision because so much of the groundwork has been laid for the housing development to ramp up construction as soon as the rezoning vote takes place. The potential loss of the development contractor is a very real possibility if the process comes to a screeching halt. Community organizations and businesses that have supported the idea of increasing housing for a workforce population that has difficulty finding satisfactory places to live in Craig will be frustrated if construction does not move forward soon.

Residents of Woodbury have some serious concerns about the potential apartment complex hindering the access to the park and increasing the flow of traffic on roads that are presently safe and less traveled. Some argue that while the developers’ intention to rent the units to a certain selected group of families based on income, we have all seen what happens when developments change ownership or the units are difficult to fill.

Oftentimes the rules are changed and the initial intent of the development becomes something else. These are difficult concerns to try and balance out as our community comes to grips with the sometimes opposing forces of progress and stability. Each of the parties concerned want what is best for their community and are working to make certain all avenues have been explored before the rezoning measure comes to a vote.

Regardless of the outcome, there will be some real disappointment because the area will either be maintained as recreation space or contractors will begin digging in to construct units. Hopefully, the parties involved will reach a decision that prevents too much derision, because as we move forward, it is imperative that we are all in this together and understand that as our city and county change, we get to drive most of the decisions — but sometimes it isn’t always going to take a route we might think is best.

Here is hoping that the city can balance these issues and not lose potential developments. There are real needs and real concerns that need voices to speak to these realities and figure out a solution.

Lance Scranton is a career educator and has made his home in Moffat County for the past 25 years. He offers his views and opinions as part of the ongoing conversation about our community, country and world. Reach him at lance.scranton@consultant.com.