County growth plan up for review

The Daily Inter Lake

The Flathead County Growth Policy was approved little more than five months ago and it already is time to amend it.

State regulations require the county to review and amend the growth policy six months after its approval.

Residents will have an opportunity to weigh in with their own concerns about the document that guides development and growth within the county.

Written suggestions from the public concerning the "perceived flaws, oversights or remedies for unintended consequences" will be taken until Oct. 24.

The Planning Board and county commissioners will hold a joint workshop Wednesday to discuss changes to the growth policy.

The public is welcome to attend the meeting at 6 p.m. in the Earl Bennett Building's second-floor conference room, but the meeting will not be open to public comment.

Included in the proposed amendments will be an outline of how the growth policy will be implemented.

As a part of the implementation plan, the county planning department re-categorized each policy as either a policy or an action item.

A policy is used in the specific guidance of planning toward a specific goal; an action item requires a follow-up such as a more detailed plan or effort.

Assistant Planning Director B.J. Grieve said the re-categorization was necessary to more efficiently use the growth policy.

Also in the draft implementation plan is a timeline of what should be pursued first. Neighborhood plans, a water quality/Flathead Basin management plan, a parks and recreation master plan and a transportation plan are at the top of list to be completed first.

Grieves said they are prioritized by urgency to public health, safety and general welfare and efficiency of community development as well as availability of resources.

"Our resource stream is finite," Grieves said of the county's ability to implement the growth policy.

A public hearing on any proposed amendments and the implementation plan will be Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. at the Earl Bennett Building at 1035 1st Ave. West.

Suggested amendments from the public should be submitted to the Flathead County Planning and Zoning Office.