Two Important Planning Processes Are Underway in Park County
Two Important Planning Processes Are Underway
Park County is currently undertaking two major planning initiatives: a Draft Enhanced Citizen Initiated Zoning District process and an update to the county's subdivision regulations. While these function as two distinct tools, they both share a goal in providing residents with better mechanisms to shape development locally.
Enhanced Citizen Initiated Zoning District (CIZD) Process
What is a Citizen Initiated Zoning District?
A CIZD is a planning tool that allows property owners to work together to decide how their neighborhood should grow and develop. Rather than imposing regulations from the top down, a CIZD is created by local residents.
Somewhat unique to the state, this option has existed in Montana law since 1953, but the process has often been difficult, expensive, and confusing for people to navigate.
Why create a standardized process?
The County has developed a draft roadmap to make the process more accessible.
The proposal would provide residents with educational materials, step-by-step guidance, and sample documents to help navigate the process without necessarily needing to hire consultants, attorneys, or other experts. A standardized process would also make administration more efficient for the County.
The draft emphasizes early communication with neighbors, broad public outreach, and meaningful community engagement before any proposal moves forward.
We believe that creating a clear, transparent process will make it easier for neighborhoods that choose to pursue a CIZD, while encouraging thoughtful planning and stronger community participation.
At the direction of the County Commission, the Planning Board will host four public meetings across Park County this fall to educate residents and gather feedback.
In the meantime, the County has:
Posted the draft documents online.
Opened a public comment portal for written feedback.
Indicated that staff will continue outreach efforts before the public meetings to help educate residents about the proposal.
We are carefully reviewing the draft and look forward to offering constructive recommendations that will strengthen the process. We'll share more information with you in the coming weeks, but we encourage you to review the draft and begin learning about the proposal now.
Updating Park County's Subdivision Regulations
The second major planning effort is the update of Park County's Subdivision Regulations, which have not been updated in sixteen years.
Why do subdivision regulations matter?
Subdivision regulations serve as an important tool to guide responsible growth. When new lots are created, decisions are made about where homes, roads, wells, septic systems, and infrastructure will be located. Good subdivision regulations help ensure those decisions protect both people and the landscapes that make Park County special.
They protect clean water, preserve wildlife habitat, reduce conflicts with agriculture, and encourage efficient infrastructure that saves taxpayers money over time.
Montana's 1973 Subdivision and Platting Act requires subdivisions to consider impacts on the following: public health and safety, water quality and sanitation, natural resources, agriculture, wildlife habitat, local services, and the natural environment. The law also directs development to occur "in harmony with the natural environment" while promoting the protection of open space, including agricultural lands.
As we review the draft regulations, we will seek;
Strong protections that discourage development in floodplains, while protecting rivers, streams, wetlands, irrigation infrastructure, and water quality.
Discouragement of building in the wildland-urban interface, in wildfire-prone areas, on steep slopes, and other hazardous locations.
Language that conserves wildlife habitat, connectivity, winter range.
Regulations that support agricultural lands to reduce conflicts between new development and existing farming and ranching operations.
Regulations that require efficient water, sewer, and road infrastructure that reduces environmental impacts and long-term maintenance costs, while taking into account the cumulative impacts of continued subdivision throughout Park County.
The public process
The public review process begins with a written comment period that remains open until October 15, followed by public hearings before both the Planning Board and the County Commission.
We are reviewing the draft regulations and look forward to engaging thoughtfully throughout this process. Over the coming months, we'll provide educational resources, updates, and opportunities for public participation.
Together, these planning efforts represent an opportunity to shape how Park County grows while protecting the landscapes, wildlife, working lands, and community character that make this place home.
We encourage you to review the draft documents and stay tuned for future updates from PCEC as these important conversations continue.