Even though much of the area is intensely developed, there are large sectors which still remain undeveloped. Many changes have taken place in Walker since the General Development Plan of 1969 and the 1983 update. Industrial development continues to spread. Alpine Avenue has exploded as the retail center for a large segment of northern Kent County and beyond. New development often brings out concerns over land use.
Residents become concerned about preserving the character of their community.
Those who propose changes are acting to protect their own investment, whether personal or professional. The City's decision makers must keep a balance between land uses and the features that attract them. A successful plan must weigh all of these. Key to providing this guidance is a need to understand the community's current make-up, to fully appreciate the influences that will shape its future, and to determine the kind of community Walker should be in years to come. To accomplish this, the City must have an overall policy regarding growth to carry it into the next century.