On Tuesday, March 31 Forest City Land Group held two workshops at the Polk County High School Media Center to share more about the development.

Foster Creek Preserve is a planned residential community containing about 700 units on approximately 1,000 acres near Columbus.

The Foster Creek development has drawn opposition from some Columbus area residents, who have raised concerns about its size and potential environmental impact.

The developer has been working with the town to minimize the development&squo;s impact and make sure it complies with town regulations. Foster Creek Preserve says it is holding the tour and workshops to better inform residents of the town about the project and it&squo;s entertaining questions and ideas &dquo;for making our neighborhood a very special place for Columbus.&dquo;

The development has submitted an application and an environmental inventory to the Town of Columbus, which has annexed the property.

Columbus planner Daniel Hallstrom says the developer is expected to submit a master plan and a report on public comments following the public site tour and the workshops.

Once the plan is submitted a joint planning board and town council workshops will be held to discuss the plan, says Hallstrom.

Following the joint meeting, the plan will be forwarded to numerous local and state agencies, including fire departments and schools, for review.

After the technical review period, the planning board will consider the plan and make a recommendation to town council. The council will hold a public hearing before considering approval of the master plan.