Crossroads: County zoning scrapped, for now
Recent months have shown us how quickly things can change. Weather, life, and politics have a way of keeping us on our toes.
And as we’ve seen, change is not always for the better.
Readers know that Park County Environmental Council supported the short-lived, proposed Agricultural and Rural Residential Zoning District (formerly Conflict Mitigation Zoning District) not because we believed it would save Park County from all its woes.
Rather, we supported it because we believe (still do) that a permit system aimed at large-scale industrial and commercial businesses helps our county get our collective arms around stuff out there that is currently causing us the most grief - the gold mines, the gravel pits, the gas stations in the middle of nowhere.
The permit system was designed to increase local control through reasonable mitigation of impacts. We also believed it would help mend some of the disdain out there for local government by demonstrating a process that is fair, transparent, and equitable. This was not some draconian, top-down boondoggle.
While we wholeheartedly support use of comprehensive land use tools aimed at helping direct uses to appropriate areas and responsibly guiding and managing growth, we believe considerable work is needed before the people of Park County embrace options that increase the regulatory environment.
Some envision comprehensive zoning in our county that helps rein in rural residential sprawl, and they want it now. We believe in patience. Change will happen in Park County. Change is happening in Park County. Good planning happens over time, and we’re in it for the long run.
Yes, the community “has taken a lot of hard hits,” as Commissioner Steve Caldwell said following the epic flooding at the June 21 commission hearing as a way of explaining that this zoning process needed to stop.
Commissioner Bill Berg said it perhaps best in citing the instability of the status quo, “Change is coming. We can do better.”
Citizens’ Zoning Districts
One strategy aimed at doing better is zoning initiated by citizens. In Montana, there are two different ways to create zoning within a county jurisdiction: 1) through citizen-petition and; 2) through initiation by county commissioners.
While the requirements for creating zoning differ from citizen-initiated to county-initiated, the final results can be the same. It is important to note, however, that zoning districts can vary widely depending on the character of the district, and the wishes of its residents. Zoning districts are meant to be individualistic and fitting of the area they are located.
Bozeman’s zoning is considerably different from zoning in Big Sky. (Big Sky is zoned on the Gallatin County side, but not in Madison County, where the Yellowstone Club and Big Sky Ski Resort are located.)
There are many, many citizen-initiated zoning districts throughout the state of Montana. Gallatin County, within the county proper, has 22 different zoning districts spread from Hebgen Lake to Bridger Canyon. County-wide zoning is more difficult.
Park County currently has six zoning districts: Cokedale District; Cooke City - Silver Gate - Colter Pass District; East Yellowstone District; O-Rea Creek District; Paradise Valley District and; US Hwy 89 S - East River Rd - Old Yellowstone Trail District. These districts were created as early as 2002 (O’Rea) to the more recent billboard district created in 2019.
We have heard that there are at least two additional zoning districts being proposed for Park County.
Remembering City Manager Michael Kardoes
We join the Livingston community in mourning the recent loss of city manager Michael Kardoes.
Since he started managing our city in 2017, Kardoes’ heart was always in the right place. It was certainly clear he cared about his family, and it was also clear he cared about his community. He had a vision for the future and worked hard to make Livingston a better place than when he arrived five years ago.
He will be missed.
Another Gravel Pit
As might have been predicted, there is yet another threat on Park County’s horizon that sensible zoning can help manage. The menace-of-the-month is a large-scale gravel operation proposed by the state on state trust land north of Emigrant. The former Conflict Mitigation Zoning Regulation (rebilled as the Agriculture and Residential Preservation Zoning District) could have made a difference.
Yes, we need gravel, particularly after the wash-out of so many roads in our region, but let’s first start with current gravel operations. Why expand gravel mining when we potentially have what we need?
Zoning can help reduce impacts from gravel mining on neighboring landowners. Zoning can help gravel operations be good neighbors by reducing dust, traffic mitigation, establishing hours of operation, access/egress, and more. Ideally, zoning would help us determine areas within our county that are best equipped for mining.
Unfortunately, the Park County Commissioners backed away from an opportunity to be proactive in the face of our changing landscape. Now more than ever, we need to come together as residents and neighbors and help plan for a strong future. Status quo is clearly not working.
Deal of the Summer
The summer has just begun, and Park County has already had its share of climate change woes. We’ve been doing our best to make a difference helping those in need, while making some time to recharge our own batteries.
Local businesses need our help. Make sure to get out there and support them.
Henry Finkbeiner, owner of Silver Gate Lodging, wants you to know that this summer you can visit beautiful Silver Gate, Montana and stay at his cozy lodgings. He is offering up to a five day stay in his cabins and rooms at the special price of " pay what you can". Check out the accommodations at silvergatelodging.com. please call 406-838-2371 to get the special price.