23-25 October 2006
Montrose Citizens for Responsible Growth recently retained an independent, Colorado-based, nationally-recognized research firm for the purpose of obtaining input from Montrose county citizens on our Master Plan. In the interest of making the survey as useful as possible, we consulted with our county's professional land use department, and incorporated its input into the design of the questions. The survey was conducted via telephone between 23-25 October 2006.
Three hundred and fifty three(353) interviews were accomplished- which produced results with a 95% confidence level, or an accuracy of +/- 5%. The respondents were randomly chosen from the county's active, registered voter roles (voters who participated in the 2004 general election). The questions and responses follow:
1) How familiar are you with the basic concept and purpose of a county master plan?
2) Have you seen or heard anything in the past year or so about the Montrose County Master Plan?
3) While you may or may not be aware of it, Montrose County has a Master Plan that was designed by the Planning Commission of Montrose County. Do you favor or oppose the Montrose Board of County Commissioners adopting this Master Plan as the guiding and directive document for land use planning and decision-making in Montrose County? (respondent was then asked- strongly favor/oppose, or not strongly?)
All voters
Yes, heard about Master Plan in Q2
No, haven't heard about Master Plan in Q2
4) (Asked only if in favor in Q3) How soon would you like the Montrose Board of County Commissioners to adopt the Montrose County Master Plan?
5) Now I am going to read you Five ideas that might be included in the county and citizen updating of the Montrose County Master Plan. After I read each one, please tell me which one or two are the most important to you.
The survey results show an apparent and sad lack of citizen knowledge concerning our Master Plan - with 61% of respondents "not very familiar" or "not at all familiar" with this document. Also disturbing is the fact that approximately half the respondents haven't "seen or heard anything in the past year or so" about the Master Plan. Is this because there is insufficient information available, or because people haven't taken the time to become informed? Possibly a little of both....
Given that this important document is meant to be used as the source of guidance and direction for our county, and given that our county has been experiencing unprecedented growth in the past several years - one would hope that our citizens would become informed on its purpose and content and participate in its current updating. Whining and hand-wringing about problems associated with growth is easy, but totally unproductive.
The results from the survey do demonstrate that - by an approximate 2-1 margin - respondents (who indicated an opinion) do favor adoption and use of the Master Plan; and the more someone knew about the Master Plan, the greater the margin of approval. Furthermore, of those in favor of adoption, 73% favor its adoption within the next year. Not surprisingly, knowledgeable respondents apparently see the benefits of using a citizens-derived plan that balances moderate, planned growth with measures that maintain our quality of life. The alternative is a continuation of the indiscriminate, random growth that slowly erodes away the values that drew many of us here to begin with.
The survey results also show that a significant number of citizens place a high value on the preservation of open space and agriculture in our county.
Setting unambiguous and high standards for growth and development benefits everyone. As the 18th fastest-growing micropolitan (under 50,000 population) area in the nation, it's fairly obvious that we have a "gem" here; and using our Master Plan to polish and maintain that gem is not going to scare away growth or development. It will only encourage those who are committed to quality, and it will make the outcome more predictable and desirable in the long term.
We thank everyone who participated in the survey; and we hope that the results will be used to stimulate constructive discussion and educational efforts, especially since our county land use department is currently conducting public meetings on this Master Plan issue.
Montrose Citizens for Responsible Growth
www.montrosecitizens.org
(John Cossick and Mary Wood , 249-3835)