TANGENT - Residents appear divided about how large they're willing to see this town of 950 grow.

In an informal straw poll taken Saturday at a public town hall meeting, 17 of 40 residents polled indicated would be fine with seeing the population grow to 2,500 in the next 20 years. Seven said they would be fine with 2,000, and 15 would agree to 1,500.

This was one question asked at the town hall forum, where citizens were asked to discuss the city's future in general. About 50 people attended, and the consensus was that citizens will accept some growth but not enough to ruin the town's rural feel.

"I think most people want to keep the country atmosphere since there's so little left," said Virginia Chandler, a resident of 17 years. "We moved here for the purpose of living in the countryside, and other people are saying the same thing."

Del Shirley, president of the Tangent Planning Commission, and others organized the gathering.

The meeting also included an exercise in which people created vision statements in the areas of environment, transportation, housing, services, planning and others. These statements will be used as city leaders craft amendments to the city's comprehensive plan, which citizens will vote on in May.

In their statements, citizens painted a picture of a town that stays relatively small, with 75 to 85 percent of the housing being single-family homes on 10,000-square-foot lots or larger, with affordable utilities and services, allowing businesses that don't change the town's feel, with a safe and efficient transportation system that keeps traffic moving.

All of this comes as the city weighs a few large development proposals. Conser Design wants to develop 80 acres off Tangent Drive, as does City Councilor Mel Brush with his 80 acres. Brush's proposal received city approval before a state appeals board sent it back for more work, and the Conser proposal is on hold until after the May election.

Other smaller developments have received the green light.

Telly Wirth, who grew up in the general area, said growth shouldn't be stopped if people want to move in. "Everyone wants a small town, but they also want a hundred parks, a community center and so forth," he said. "That can't happen if you're small."

Ian Rollins can be reached

at ian.rollins@lee.net or 812.6077.