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Growth Policy Updates Move Toward Adoption
Vote marks the beginning of a 30-day comment and protest period
The Flathead County Commission moved the updated county Growth Policy one step closer to finalization on Aug. 29, with a vote of intent to adopt the changes.
The vote marks the beginning of a 30-day comment period, during which the public can submit thoughts on the changes before the commission takes the final step in full adoption.
Updating the growth policy has been a years-long process, and changes include new chapters, such as the addition of one on the Flathead’s gravel resources. The information on the valley’s demographics and economic status were updated as well.
Another major change is the addition of a property owner’s bill of rights, which has drawn the ire of local nonprofit Citizens for a Better Flathead. In a prepared statement, the group’s board chair Lynn Stanley said the bill of rights was added toward the end of the updating process, which did not allow for adequate public comment.
Stanley also commented that the county planning board did not provide for the public a copy of all the changes made in the document, putting the onus for discovery on the public. “It makes a mockery of the public comment process,” Staley wrote.
CBF also opined that the updates weaken the multiple transportation policies, as well as changes to current water quality protection policies.
The vote marks the beginning of a 30-day comment period, during which the public can submit thoughts on the changes before the commission takes the final step in full adoption.
Updating the growth policy has been a years-long process, and changes include new chapters, such as the addition of one on the Flathead’s gravel resources. The information on the valley’s demographics and economic status were updated as well.
Stanley also commented that the county planning board did not provide for the public a copy of all the changes made in the document, putting the onus for discovery on the public. “It makes a mockery of the public comment process,” Staley wrote.
CBF also opined that the updates weaken the multiple transportation policies, as well as changes to current water quality protection policies.
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