While much of Park County remains relatively undeveloped agricultural land, recent growth has stressed critical natural resources such as water and fragmented crucial wildlife habitat. An updated county growth policy would allow residents to create a framework for future growth that would prioritize collectively held values, such as open space, wild lands and the rural way of life. Photo by David Tucker
by David
Tucker
In Park
County, we’re getting to see how the sausage is made—or, rather, democracy in
action.
For the
third time in three years, county commissioners have agreed to move forward
with a new growth policy after once again hearing significant public comment in
support of an update.
At a commissioners
meeting on April 16, planning director Mike Inman outlined the process, clarifying
points of confusion that necessitated the additional vote, one that had
previously been held at a December 12, 2023 meeting, when the commission
unanimously agreed to an update.
Clear as
the Yellowstone during runoff, right?
“The
commission made a decision to move forward with creating a new growth policy, however
the process that we would use to create that growth policy was not clarified,”
Inman said.
After receiving
that clarity, the commission voted 2-1 in favor of moving forward, with Michael
Story of District 1 voting against, suggesting instead to wait until a June referendum seeking to remove the current growth policy has been
voted on. “I believe
the first time we’re going to have public input on any growth policy is going
to be in June when we have this [Referendum 1] vote,” Story said. “What’s a few
more months? We should hold off until June.”
The entire growth policy updating process will likely last two to three years at a minimum, according to Park County Planning Director Mike Inman.
For most
in attendance, approval was welcome news. “A growth policy is essential for
safeguarding our natural resources,” Ken Cochrane, president of Friends of Park
County, said in his public comments. “Our majestic mountains, pristine rivers,
vast open spaces and productive ranch lands are the lifeblood of Park County.
Without proper planning, unchecked development would irreversibly damage these
treasures.”
With the
vote secured, proper planning can begin, according to Director Inman, starting
with the funding process that could take at least six months. He said the
entire updating process will likely last two to three years at a minimum.
“I think
the time is now for us to get moving on [an update],” commissioner Clint
Tinsley said. “I support the plan of a new growth policy starting now.”
The Park County growth policy update is a
developing story that Mountain Journal will continue to report on.
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About David Tucker
David Tucker is a freelance journalist covering conservation, recreation and the environment in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
