Growth policy consultants interviewed

Flathead County could soon hire a consulting firm to help draft a new growth policy.

Eight companies from around the country initially expressed interest in the project, which involves updating the county growth policy over the next 19 months and getting it approved.

That list was pared down to three finalists by a committee of county officials and planning board members.

The three firms will be interviewed this morning, with a preferred choice being identified in the next day or two, according to Johna Morrison, interim director of the Flathead County Planning Office.

Whichever company is hired for the job will be behind the gun from the start. Planning jurisdictions throughout Montana have until Oct. 1, 2006, to adopt growth policies that meet specific statutory requirements. If they fail to meet that deadline, they won't be able to create new zoning districts or make any significant changes to existing zoning districts.

The Flathead County Planning Board already has two years invested in the policy update without a completed document to show for its efforts. It's only been able to make sporadic progress during that time, largely because of a sharp increase in the number of subdivision and zone change applications.

For example, the board has five regular meetings and at least three workshops scheduled this month, with about 15 total meetings in the first quarter of 2005.

After concluding that it won't be able to meet the 2006 deadline by relying exclusively on the planning board, the county decided to hire a consultant to help out.

Much of the technical data needed to support the growth policy update already has been generated. Consequently, Morrison said the county is looking for a consultant that can work with her office, the planning board and the public to produce something that has widespread support.

The finalists for the job include:

. Collins Planning Associate of Jackson, Wyo. - "The reason we liked them was because they've dealt with a lot of the same growth issues in the Jackson area that we have in the Flathead," Morrison said.

. Wilson Miller of Naples, Fla., working in conjunction with Land & Water Consulting of Kalispell - The company and done some large projects in Florida, Morrison said, in areas that have experience tremendous growth and that have environmental constraints equal to or greater than anything in the Flathead.

. Consensus Planning of Albuquerque, N.M., in conjunction with Thomas Dean & Hoskins of Kalispell - "They've dealt with a number of counties our size on similar issues," Morrison said. "They also believe strongly in public participation."

Once the top candidate is identified, negotiations will begin regarding exactly what the company will be responsible for and how much it will be paid.

Reporter Bill Spence may be reached at 758-4459 or by e-mail at bspence@dailyinterlake.com