Montrose Citizens for Responsible Growth

Colorado Office of Smart Growth Director
To Discuss Growth Management Strategies

Communities all across Colorado are seeking ways to mitigate the impacts of new growth and development, and Montrose County is no different. According to the state demography office, the population of the county grew by more than 5,000 people between 2000 and 2006. Forecasts indicate that the county’s population will grow by another 12,000 by 2015. Montrose County officials are in the process now of researching and developing responsible land use planning and growth management strategies to minimize the impacts of this growth. As in every planning effort, the key is to strike the balance between individual liberties and the public good.

When done properly, sound growth management policies can accomplish a number of community goals, including:

• Preserve viable agricultural land, environmentally sensitive areas and other open space assets
• Encourage downtown businesses by targeting infill development opportunities and Main Street revitalization efforts
• Make certain development preserves and enhances the quality of life and encourages/sustains economic development
• Ensure that adequate infrastructure (utilities, roads, schools, parks, etc.) will be available to support new development
• Provide predictability for the development community
• Foster intergovernmental cooperation and a better understanding of regional issues

The Office of Smart Growth in the Colorado Department of Local Affairs provides technical and financial assistance to local governments throughout Colorado in the areas of land use planning and growth management, and is involved in related legislative and policy issues.

Eric Bergman, Director of the Colorado Office of Smart Growth, will discuss the various growth management tools that are available at an upcoming Planning Commission work session. Some of the growth management tools include impact fees, rural clustering incentives, mixed use zoning, concurrency requirements, intergovernmental agreements (IGAs), open space preservation programs, transfer or purchase of development rights, growth caps and urban growth boundaries. Bergman’s presentation to the Planning Commission will be March 20 at 6:00pm at the County Commissioners Board Room (161 S. Townsend). The public is encouraged to attend this unique educational opportunity. To RSVP for this free presentation please call 252-4527.

Dear Friends & Neighbors,

As advertised on the front page (upper left corner) of the Friday, Dec 7th Montrose Daily Press- the Montrose county government has (at the suggestion of several informed/ concerned citizens) invited the Colorado State Office of Smart Growth to present
a planning workshop/meeting for all interested parties.

It is scheduled to be held:
Wednesday 19 December 2007.
6:30- 8:30 pm.
Montrose County Board Room- 161 S. Townsend.

Please show your support for this significant progress and plan to attend: RSVP to 252-4527.

Thank you for your continued INFORMED PARTICIPATION in the future of our county. And a blessed Christmas holiday to you and your families.

John Cossick & Mary Wood
Montrose Citizens for Responsible Growth

Friends of the River Uncompahgre (FURU) would like to remind members and visitors that “What’s In Your River: The State of the Uncompahgre River,” will be held on 5 October at the DMEA conference room (11925 6300 Rd) in Montrose from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. The following speakers will present various topics:

• Dennis Erickson, Park Planner/Project Manager for Montrose city: Community Development
• Steve White, Land Use Director for Montrose County: The County’s perspective on the Uncompahgre River
• Jim Pokrandt, Communication and Education Specialist for the Colorado River Water Conservation District: How the Uncompahgre River relates to the Colorado Watershed
• Marc Catlin, Manager for the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association: The Uncompahgre River within Montrose City and County, how the water flows
• Hank Hotze, FORU Member and Representative of the Gunnison Basin Round Table: FORU’s Vision, join Hank on a filmed float trip through Montrose

FORU’s next meeting is Tuesday, October 9th, 7:00 pm, Alpine Bank, 1400 E. Main, Montrose. For more information about FORU, visit their Web site.

Notice: Please take the time to make public comment re: the wetlands permit request by Matt Miles now under review by the Army Corps of Engineers. The Sunday, March 4th, issue of the Montrose Daily Press has an article titled, ‘River Landing wetlands permit under review by Army Corps.’ It states:

“The federal agency that regulates the nation’s waterways has opened its review of the effects the River Landing Shopping Center will have on the Uncompahgre River and its associated wetlands.”
Read the rest of this entry »

The Montrose County Land Use Department will be holding public meetings for the update of the Land Use Element of the Montrose County Master Plan. This is an opportunity for the public to shape the future of Montrose County. Due to the size of Montrose County, the Land Use Element Plan is being divided into seven Planning Areas. Meetings will be held for each planning area.

Meetings will be held at the following locations, dates, and times:

West End Planning Area: Monday, 23 October 2006 at 6:00pm at the Moose Lodge 1045 Main Street, Nucla, Colorado

Maher Planning Area: Wednesday, 1 November 2006 at 6:00pm at the Maher/Onion Valley Club Building, Hwy. 92, Maher, Colorado

Olathe Planning Area: Wednesday, 9 November 2006 at 6:00pm at the Olathe Elementary School Library, 211 N. Roberts Avenue, Olathe, Colorado

East Valley/Cimmaron Planning Area: Tuesday, 14 November 2006 at 6:30pm at the Montrose Pavilion, 1800 Pavilion Drive, Montrose, Colorado

South Valley Planning Area: Tuesday, 5 December 2006 at 6:30pm at the Montrose Pavilion, 1800 Pavilion Drive, Montrose, Colorado

City of Montrose Influence Planning Area: Thursday, 14 December 2006 at 6:30pm at the Montrose County Fairgrounds Friendship Hall, 1001 N. 2nd Street, Montrose, Colorado

Spring Creek/Dave Wood Planning Area: Tuesday, 19 December 2006 at 6:30pm at the Montrose Pavilion, 1800 Pavilion Drive, Montrose, Colorado

For further information contact:

Steve White, Montrose County Land Use Department, 317 S. 2nd Street, Montrose, CO, 970-252-4550, “swhite at co.montrose.co.us”