Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884
Rules would allow county to set standards, protect character of land
A draft of the proposed new rules for large acreage subdivisions has been made available ahead of a public hearing with the Crook County Land Use Planning and Zoning Commission.
Following the hearing, the commission will vote on whether to recommend the Crook County Commissioners schedule their own public hearing to approve and adopt the new rules.
The purpose of the proposed rules, which applies to subdivisions that include parcels between 35 and 140 acres in size, is to establish “standards and procedures for the protection of the common interests of the general public, the landowner and the applicant.”
The rules are also intended to protect the character and value of county lands and minimize conflicts among uses of the land; to provide for safe and adequate transportation systems, utilities and public facilities; to ensure adequate and accurate records; to encourage innovative land planning and urban design techniques; to provide for proper drainage, water and sewer; to give potential landowners alternative choices in the land sites they choose; and to comply with state and county regulations.
The proposed procedure for approving a new large-acre subdivisions require developers to go through an application process, which includes reviews by the Crook County Natural Resource District and the Fire Warden, as well as the governing body of any town or city that the subdivision will be within a mile of.
The application and input will be reviewed at a hearing with Land Use, which in turn will provide a written recommendation. The county commissioners will then set a final hearing at its next regular meeting, providing notice to any landowners within a quarter mile of the subdivision’s boundaries.
The county commissioners will review the application, recommendation, a written report from Growth & Development and any written comments and will hear oral comments and consider any other matters deemed appropriate. The board will then vote to approve, deny or table the application.
The new rules also establish the requirements for the application itself. Developers must provide, for example, a survey plat; evidence the proposal complies with any applicable zoning regulations; a study evaluating the proposed sewage and water systems; easements for any use of adjoining property for utilities; documentation of adequate ingress and egress access to all proposed lots; documentation that the subdivider has the financial resources to complete the work; and evidence that all parcels will be subject to covenants or similar instruments.
The rules also specify certain design and engineering standards with which the developer must comply, such as choosing a name that does not resemble another already in use, minimum sizes for easements and requirements for access to public roads.
The guidelines also establish fees for the developer and the circumstances in which a variance may be granted.
The proposed regulations can be viewed on the county website or obtained by contacting the Crook County Growth and Development Office at 283-4548. Written comments can be submitted to Crook County Growth and Development before the hearing at PO Box 825, Sundance.
The public hearing will take place in the courthouse basement at 7:05 p.m. on June 13.
