Public input sought for zoning plans

A series of public meetings has been scheduled for January to solicit input on plans to potentially introduce zoning to Crook County.

These meetings will form the next step of the county’s exploration of whether zoning would suit this county in the light of the high level of development that has gone on over the last few years, and will aim to gauge exactly where the public stands on the issue.

Meetings will take place in all four municipalities throughout January, led by a facilitator, and will focus on options for growth management.

A couple of months ago, the commission kicked off the process of developing a possible zoning plan for the county by inviting a community planning and zoning consultant to do the necessary groundwork of figuring out exactly what the county wants and needs.

Community planning and zoning consultant Jayna Watson was asked to assess the county’s wants and needs regarding zoning and reported near completion of that project at November’s meeting of the commission.

At that time, recognizing that zoning can be a controversial topic in this area but surprised to be hearing little objection to the idea of introducing such rules to Crook County, the commission decided to place focus on public input.

At the request of the commission, Watson changed the next step of her work to focus on hosting public meetings.

From these meetings, the commission hopes to learn more about the public’s support of, or opposition to, zoning rules and whether certain zoning ideas could interfere with the lives and livelihoods of members of the community.

The public meetings are scheduled for January 9 in the gymnasium of the Greater Hulett Community Center at 6 p.m.; January 11 in the gymnasium of Moorcroft Town Center at 6 p.m.; January 15 at the Pine Haven Community Center at 6 p.m.; and January 17 in the basement of the courthouse in Sundance at 6 p.m.

If any of these meetings are cancelled due to weather, they will be rescheduled for January 24 in the same location and at the same time.

More information can be obtained from Watson at 605-639-0011 or Crook County Planning Director Tim Lyons at 283-4548.