Missoula County strongly opposes SB 349: Revise zoning laws, up for hearing this afternoon, in the Senate Local Government Committee.
SB 349 is a state mandated rezoning that fails to adhere to the basic planning framework established by the Montana Legislature. Part II Zoning is a direct implementation of a growth policy. You cannot have Part II Zoning if you have not adopted a growth policy. In order to adopt, or amend Part II Zoning, it MUST be done in accordance with the growth policy.
A growth policy is a comprehensive look at the community’s goals, objectives, existing conditions and trends. It includes analysis of land uses trends, population projections, economic needs, natural resources, local services and public facilities. The land use patterns recommended in a growth policy are based on a wide-ranging look at where a community is today, and where it is going tomorrow. When drafting or updating a growth policy, the public is asked to engage through surveys, workshops, open houses, focus groups, stakeholder meetings and public hearings. The outreach is inclusive. The more people who participate, the better the plan.
SB 349 ignores all the work, analysis and participation that goes into drafting the growth policy. It mandates a minimum lot size that has no connection to the recommendations of the growth policy and instead ties them loosely to just one consideration: septic systems. In no small way, it circumvents the entire planning process, and cuts out the public’s ability to participate in decision making.
Sent Feb. 26:
ReplyDeleteSenators Boldman and Morigeau,
Missoula County strongly opposes SB 349: Revise zoning laws, up for hearing this afternoon, in the Senate Local Government Committee.
SB 349 is a state mandated rezoning that fails to adhere to the basic planning framework established by the Montana Legislature. Part II Zoning is a direct implementation of a growth policy. You cannot have Part II Zoning if you have not adopted a growth policy. In order to adopt, or amend Part II Zoning, it MUST be done in accordance with the growth policy.
A growth policy is a comprehensive look at the community’s goals, objectives, existing conditions and trends. It includes analysis of land uses trends, population projections, economic needs, natural resources, local services and public facilities. The land use patterns recommended in a growth policy are based on a wide-ranging look at where a community is today, and where it is going tomorrow. When drafting or updating a growth policy, the public is asked to engage through surveys, workshops, open houses, focus groups, stakeholder meetings and public hearings. The outreach is inclusive. The more people who participate, the better the plan.
SB 349 ignores all the work, analysis and participation that goes into drafting the growth policy. It mandates a minimum lot size that has no connection to the recommendations of the growth policy and instead ties them loosely to just one consideration: septic systems. In no small way, it circumvents the entire planning process, and cuts out the public’s ability to participate in decision making.
Please oppose SB 349.