The Montrose County Planning Commission is in the final stages of updating the county’s subdivision regulations. One hot issue that is still unresolved is how densely to develop land in the county.
We support a density, rather than a lot size, approach to residential development standards in the county. Here’s a simplified example to illustrate the difference:
Say a 300 acre residential development is proposed in the county and the standard is a minimum lot size of three acres. That means the total area could be sub-divided into 100 three-acre lots. No land would be left open for other uses.
But, what if the standard for the same 300 acre development was a maximum density of one residence per three acres? Under this scenario, 100 one-acre lots could be clustered in one portion of the property and 200 acres could be left as open space for conservation or agricultural uses, helping to preserve our rural character.
On March 23, the Montrose County Planning Commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. in the county office complex on South Townsend to discuss further proposed changes to the subdivision regulations.
You can help strengthen the subdivision regulations and manage growth by calling and writing to the Planning Commission members with a copy of all letters sent to the Land Use Office at 317 S. 2nd Street, or fax to 249-6680. The subject of your letter should be DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS. Ask that it be placed “in the record” for consideration in the Subdivision Regulation Revision process.
Please take a moment right now and tell our Planning Commission members how you feel. This is an issue that needs your immediate attention. The clock is ticking on the future of our county.
Express your support for a density approach to residential development standards in the county.
Encourage them to take a comprehensive, long-term, approach to development and adopt a series of rural residential zones that allow for greater density close to the City and lesser density farther out. Use the “talking points” on the previous page to support your argument.
Urge them at the very least to adopt a maximum one residence per three acres density standard for the proposed new Rural Residential Zone District.
(NOTE: In the best of all worlds, we want them to endorse point #2. If they’re reluctant to do so, #3 represents a step in the right direction and lays the groundwork for broader changes in the future.)
THANK YOU!
Questions? Comments?
Kevin Williams (323-6849) | Linda Orcutt (240-4758) | Mary Wood (249-3835)