Twenty years have passed since Thomson Township adopted its comprehensive plan in February 1999.

Over that time, the population of the northern Carlton County township has grown from 4,430 to 5,120 in 2017, making it the second-largest community in Carlton County. A business park that didn’t even exist when the last comprehensive plan was adopted is now over two-thirds full. Many of the residential subdivision lots are sold out.

Many other indicators point to strong growth possibilities for the urban township.

“A lot has changed in 20 years,” said township board chair Terry Hill in an...