County commissioners intend to adopt growth policy

Lake County Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution for an intent to adopt the growth policy, about a year after discussions on the document started, during a public hearing this week.

Over the course of nearly an hour, the county commissioners, County Planning Director Jake Feistner and Joel Nelson, provided input and took notes to be added to the fourth draft of the policy.

On April 18, the Lake County Planning Board passed a resolution recommending the commissioners adopt the 2018 growth policy, with changes that were suggested by the planning board.

Upon adoption of the final density map, it will be used as an advisory document. Currently, the map is regulatory.

Decker commented that through the process, which has been a hot topic within the county, he has heard that citizens feel as though the commissioners have not taken public comment into consideration.

“We have made a lot of changes to the document based on public comment,” Decker said, which Commissioner Bill Barron echoed.

There have been five public hearings held in Ronan, Polson, Ferndale, Proctor and Arlee, each about three hours long, and “at least six Lake County Planning Board meetings” where public comment on the growth policy was part of the agenda, Decker said by email Tuesday morning.

In addition to the meetings, an internet questionnaire was developed for residents unable to attend the meetings.

The current growth policy was adopted in August 2003, with a density map added in 2005.

A growth policy is a public document that is intended to guide future economic growth and development of the county. It’s a document that officials and the public often refer to for construction purposes and grants.

About a year and a half ago, the commissioners began working with Land Solutions of Charlo on gathering data for updating the policy.

A Community Development Block Grant for $30,000 was awarded to the county.

Decker said that the county then committed an additional $15,000 to complete funding for the project.

After public hearings last summer, the first draft was completed in late December 2017, allowing the public a little more than a week with holidays for comment.

The growth policy and drafts can be read at www.planlakecounty.com

The public hearing for final adoption of the document has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 21, in the Commissioners’ chambers at the Lake County Courthouse.