ISLE OF WIGHT—Isle of Wight County is planning a series of meetings to help determine what areas should be targeted for future development and higher-density housing.

The 5:30 p.m. meetings are planned for Monday, Jan. 10, at Nike Park Recreation Hall in Carrollton, Tuesday, Jan. 11, at the Windsor Elementary School library, and Wednesday, Jan. 12, at the Carrsville Elementary Cafetorium.

State law requires the county to form “urban development areas” — sections of the county selected for higher-density, mixed-use growth in the future. Localities with at least 20,000 residents that grew more than 5 percent between 1990 and 2000 must designate at least one urban development area in their comprehensive plan.

Isle of Wight’s population grew 18 percent between 1990 and 2000. Urban development areas can benefit high-growth communities by generating fewer vehicle trips than typical low-density, single-use development, produce fewer miles of new streets for state maintenance and reduce the need for secondary road improvements caused by sprawl.

County spokesman Don Robertson said the county’s planning department has suggested areas within the Windsor, Newport and Carrsville areas.

“What they are asking the citizens to do is give some feedback on those suggested areas,” he said. “They’ll have actual maps that people can look at and then people can give them some feedback on what their preferred areas would be, or if they have concerns about some of the areas they can let them know what their concerns are.”

The urban development areas project is expected to continue through the spring.