But only 77 building permits have been issued. During a fall debate about placing the Booker property on the November ballot for annexation, opponents argued against the annexation based in part on land already in the city limits. If building permits were issued for all that land, the growth would push the sewer and water system to its limit, critics said. The city now serves approximately 3,900 residents with water and sewer services. But the growth already possible without any more annexations would bring Philomath's population to about 4,500.
Officials estimate that's about as many people as the sewer system can handle.
The water system could support about 5,500 residents. But it looks as if growth in Philomath won't be that rapid. Between 1970 and 1980, new residents accounted for a population increase of 985. Between 1980 and 1998, Philomath's population increased by fewer than 400. Philomath's Comprehensive Plan envisions the city growing to 4,710 residents by 2000 and 7,475 by 2010, according to Kugler.