It didn't take Dave Lafferty very long to drop his questionnaire in a ballot box with his opinion of how Yuba County should grow in the next 25 years.

"That was easy," the 71-year-old Smartville resident said Wednesday night. "I think we need less impact on the county all across the board."

Lafferty was one of several dozen residents who attended an informational meeting in Smartville designed to direct Yuba County's staff on the county's growth for the general plan update.

The county is updating its general plan through 2030. This stage allows for comments from the community on growth patterns, including large scale development and business centers.

During the meeting, five conceptual growth maps were presented for residents to view and provide feedback as well as make suggested changes.

The maps ranged from limited growth in the valley and land preservation in the foothills as the first alternative to potential growth that exceeds the state's expectations for Yuba County in the next two decades as the fifth alternative.

All five maps are available for viewing on the county's general plan update Web site and will be available at the next seven community meetings.

Each meeting is designed to last two hours to allow staff to present the alternatives and allow residents to ask questions. But it took Lafferty only 30 minutes to submit his opinions.

"I think the first alternative is the least invasive on the rural side of things," he said.

Browns Valley resident Gary Dibble, though, said he wants to see growth in the foothills.

"We need to preserve ag land in the valley," he said. "Growth is coming. We're out of the flood zone up here and the land isn't worth anything, it's used for grazing."

Dibble said the foothills are a place where people will want to relocate. He added that he does not want to keep driving to Marysville or Nevada City for gas and groceries.

"I like the country," Dibble said. "But we need schools, hospitals and stores up here."

Gold Village residents Larry Simms and Clare Convery said they are for growth in the foothills, but they are concerned any growth in the foothills will not be done wisely.

"We can't have another mess like Gold Village," Simms said.

The septic system serving the 84-home community failed in October 2006 and residents have been restricted on use ever since. The county has had to step in to help fix the problem.

Simms said he preferred alternative four or five. Both maps suggest substantial growth in the county.

Convery noted all five maps show growth in the Linda and Olivehurst area.

"It's a big county, why is (growth) just focused down there," Convery said. "We need some growth or no one will be living up here in a few years."

Others were undecided where the county should set its mark.

Marilyn Center, 60, of Smartville said she was concerned with too much growth, but needed more time to review the material before giving her feedback.

"I think some areas should be preserved for beauty or agriculture," she said.

At first glance, Center said, she prefers the first alternative because it has more conservative growth.

County officials said feedback will be accepted on the maps through Aug. 15.

Upcoming workshops

• Today: Foothills Lion's Club, 5667 Fruitland Rd., Loma Rica

• Aug. 4: Wheatland Community Center, 101 C St., Wheatland

• All workshops will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• ON THE NET: www.yubavision2030.org

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Andrea Koskey at 749-4709 or akoskey@appealdemocrat.com