Commissioners vote to keep density map

The Lake County Density map is sticking around – at least for now. At a meeting last week in a packed County Commissioners office, a motion by Gale Decker to repeal the map failed 1-2. Decker was the only commissioner to vote to repeal the map, while Ann Brower and Bill Barron voted to keep it. However, immediately after the motion failed, Barron made a motion to create a committee to review the map, which was seconded by Brower.

Before the vote, each commissioner shared their thoughts and opinions on the map.

Barron spoke of his issues with the map, one of which was how the map has been used. “One problem is that it has been implemented to the utmost extreme. I think there has been things done on land that really doesn’t fall under the density map,” he said. He also addressed issues he has with the Tribes abiding by the denisty map and regulations.

Regardless of his problems with the map, Barron said he needed to listen to the public and come up with a solution. “The people have spoke – I want to take another shot at this and see if we can come up with something everyone is happy with,” he said.

After Barron, Commissioner Gale Decker voiced his opinion about taking more time on their decision. “I am not in favor of taking any more time on it. My reason for that is that the map and regulations have been in place for 13 years, and we haven’t met most of the goals of the growth policy,” he said, “So how can we expect that if we just take more time that we are going to make the document better? I feel one of the frustrations people have with government is that nothing gets done. We study, study, study, and nothing ever comes of it.”

Decker said he also did not believe that the rules had been followed regarding review of the density map and regulations. “I think one of the big flaws of the map and regulations was that in the document itself, in article ten, it says that the Lake County planning board shall initiate a review of the density map and regulations one year after the initial adoption, and then during the fifth and tenth year of each decade.”

He went on to say that he could find no record of there being a review in the minutes or files and questioned whether the density map and regulations are still valid. “I’m not sure the document is still even binding, because we haven’t upheld what we signed off for when we adopted it.”

Decker also addressed concerns about getting rid of the document all together. He held up a document listing conditions of approval for a new site describing thirty-three conditions. “To those that say there’s nothing in place to protect the county – there’s 33 conditions of approval here and 30 of them having nothing to do with the density map and regulations. I’m not of the opinion that repealing it will be a reckless mistake,” he said.

Barron then backed up Decker’s statements. “I agree with everything Gale said. That’s an issue for me. The bottom line is that the subdivision rules and regulations cover almost every bit of it.”

Barron went on to say even though he shared some of the same concerns as Decker, he could not discount the public’s opinion, which has been weighted toward keeping to map and regulations.

Commissioner Brower then added her opinion. “I would have to agree that when you have an overwhelming majority of people saying keep it, it’s not for me to second guess,” she said.

After stating their thoughts, the vote was carried out. Decker voted to repeal the map, while Barron and Brower voted to keep it.

When that was settled, Barron made the motion to come up with a committee to review the document. ‘We need to put a group together to work with issues and come up with a document everyone can live with.”

He also mentioned that he would like to continue working with the Tribes on the implementation of the regulations.

The Tribes were happy with the result of the vote. “The Tribes were pleased by the commissioners vote to retain the Density Map and regulations,” Rob McDonald said, “Our staff is already focusing on helping with efforts to fine-tune and improve the policy with other community members who come forward to offer their services. By working together we can find ways to preserve the best parts of this community.”

Brower seconded Barron’s motion to form a committee to review the documents. Before the original vote, she had voiced her opinion about getting a committee together. “I do believe it would be very appropriate to have a committee review it to go over the issues with it – issues that were brought up by the public, and address each and every one,” she said, “While I regret that we didn’t do that from the get go... I believe it’s worth continuing to review.”

Afterward, Brower said that they would get a committee together soon.