WAITSBURG -- In a town where drivers routinely leave their cars running when they stop at the post office and where the mayor greets people on the street with a friendly "Hi, love," growth isn't coming without a few pains.

Long known for its friendliness and cozy feel, Waitsburg gained national notoriety last year when it was voted one of the 10 coolest small towns in the country by Budget Travel magazine.

But Waitsburg's reputation soon could attract a wave of newcomers to town. Developers have proposed two subdivisions that could bring more than 300 homes to this town of 1,246 about 55 miles east of the Tri-Cities.

"It's obvious Waitsburg has been discovered," said Mayor Markeeta Little Wolf.

In late November, the city council voted 3-2 to annex 57 acres of land east of the town at the request of California-based developers Andy and Camille McElhinney of Paloma Valley Land Retirement Plan Trust.

The McElhinneys want to build Whoopemup Meadows, a subdivision that could see construction of about 280 new homes over the course of several years.

They also own property near Walla Walla and saw an opportunity for growth in Waitsburg, said consultant Scott Revell of Richland, who is representing the McElhinneys.

They approached the city council nearly two years ago, but plans still are in the beginning stages. The developers are working out logistics with utility use and design codes before they submit a site plan, Revell said.

The target demographic for the subdivision is families who likely will commute to work in Walla Walla and the Tri-Cities as well as some retirees, he said.

"From a philosophical standpoint, Paloma supports the creation of vibrant neighborhoods that are designed to include safe streets, open spaces, parks, buffers, trees, pedestrian pathways and decent housing for both working and retired people," Revell wrote in a letter to the council last year.

Waitsburg Estates, another subdivision of 28 homes within the old city limits, also has been approved by the council, Little Wolf said.

In 2007, there were four building permits issued for new homes in Waitsburg, and the population has remained a steady 2 percent of the Walla Walla County population for some time, said City Clerk Randy Hinchliffe. Many new residents are transplants from Western Washington and some retirees, he added.

City council members have worked to make sure that any development will fit the character of the 143-year-old town, which still operates under the terms of its territorial charter.

The two subdivisions and the changes that inevitably will accompany them prompted the council about two years ago to address the town's development codes, which last were reviewed in 1999.

"Now the only thing to do is make sure that when we do start developing we have what Waitsburg wants," said Councilman Leroy Cunningham, who voted against the annexation.

After 20 months of meetings, discussion, research and public comment, the council approved the annexation and updated its development codes.

The code revisions, which mainly addressed design issues such as lot size and architectural style, will equip the city to keep tabs on the look of homes and neighborhoods in a subdivision, Hinchliffe said.

Previous codes had no provisions for multi-family dwellings such as duplexes and condos, he said. The city also wanted to ensure that the new homes would fit in with the town's architectural flavor.

The council ultimately approved the annexation to ensure the city has control over the development and receives tax revenue to help pay for infrastructure costs, Little Wolf said.

The council also determined that the town's infrastructure -- schools, roads, water, utilities, law enforcement -- for the most part would tolerate an influx of people, Hinchliffe said.

Whoopemup Meadows also compelled the council to enact a six-month moratorium on subdividing land for housing developments. The moratorium, scheduled to expire Feb. 15, could be extended if a majority of the council feels more time is needed.

"At this point in time, we want to make sure our design standards are where we want them to be," said Councilman Robbie Johnson.

"Once we're comfortable, the next step is to move on -- we can't have a forever moratorium," he said. "It feels like every house is somewhat unique and I'm hoping we don't lose that uniqueness."

Johnson's concern is a common one, Little Wolf said.

Jim German and Claire Johnston moved to Waitsburg from Seattle about three years ago to get away from urban life and open their own businesses. The two own jimgermanbar and Amo Art, a European-style cafe and art gallery on Main Street.

They would like to see new houses built "green," with environmentally friendly materials and features.

And because the beauty of the area is one the qualities that attracted them to Waitsburg, they hope new buildings will preserve the town's aesthetic qualities and not lead to strip malls and fast-food restaurants, German said.

Like many other downtown businesses, German's and Johnston's cafe and art gallery are part of a revitalization movement that started seven or eight years ago, Hinchliffe said.

John and Marilyn Stellwagen of Walla Walla bought Waitsburg Hardware and Mercantile on Main Street in 2005 and have turned it into a town hot spot. There, people can find everything from PVC pipe to a cup of coffee and Cougar, the resident orange cat who always likes a petting.

Next door is an empty building getting new wood floors and other updates, readying it to be transformed into a wine tasting room or other business.

The old Waitsburg Mill also is ready for a face lift. Cunningham said plans are in the works to restore the building for retail or other business use.

Resident Jen Johnson and others in the community don't want to see a boom lead to overcrowded school classrooms.

Quality of education and safety are important to Johnson, whose three children ride freely through the town's uncongested streets on their bikes.

Waitsburg contracts with the Walla Walla County Sheriff's Office for 60 hours of law enforcement service per week, said Sheriff Mike Humphreys. Calls for service have been on a steady decline since 2001, from 744 that year to 530 in 2006.

He predicts the number will be even smaller in 2007, because of less crime and more proactive measures by his deputies.

But in another sign of the town's growth, a 2,800-square-foot clinic likely will be finished in the beginning of April. The town also will have expanded ambulance service: In the coming months, a volunteer will start sleeping over at the station in town.

Amid economic development downtown and continued talk of subdivisions, residents want to make sure that Waitsburg keeps its "One of a Kind" motto, which graces signs leading into town.

And even though the annexation doesn't necessarily mean Whoop-emup Meadows will come to life, residents realize their town is a prime spot for growth.

"It's going to happen," Jen Johnson said. "Make the best of it."