Planning Commission Handbook
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Routt County Planning Department Box 773749 Steamboat Springs, CO 80477 970-879-2704 Routt County Planning Commission Handbook March, 2015 PI2014-007 Introduction Welcome to the Planning Commission The Planning Commission is one of the most This handbook will help you understand the legal visible groups responsible for planning in and policy framework for planning. It will also unincorporated Routt County including the provide you with a reference for the powers and communities of Milner, Phippsburg, Toponas and duties of the planning commission. As a planning Hahns Peak. commissioner you must have some understanding of the following topics: The Planning Commission is an appointed board of residents with commissioners selected from 1. Comprehensive planning. four different districts and four municipalities in 2. Zoning and platting. Routt County (North Routt – District 1, Land 3. How the planning commission operates and around Steamboat Springs – District 2, West the role and responsibilities of each individual Routt - District 3, and South Routt – District 4, the member. Towns of Yampa, Hayden, Oak Creek, and the City 4. The authority and duties of the commission. of Steamboat Springs) established as an advisory 5. Legal aspects of commission conduct. group for the Board of County Commissioners on 6. Standards for commission decision-making. planning matters and to perform other duties authorized by state statute. Even though you may This Planning Commission Handbook covers all of have been appointed from a certain area, your these topics and you will be given copies of the job is to represent the whole community. The Routt County Zoning and Subdivision Regulations Planning Commission’s principle responsibility is and the Routt County Master Plan. There are neither to the developer nor to any opposition to other community plans that have been adopted a particular development. The Planning by Routt County. These plans are located at the Commission is responsible to the long term Routt County Planning Department and are on- interests of the community. line for you to review. They are the Steamboat Springs Area Community Plan, Upper Elk River You will attend regular meetings, special Valley Community Plan, West Steamboat Springs meetings and work sessions, evaluate projects Area Plan, Stagecoach Community Plan, Routt and proposals and make tough decisions about County Open Lands Plan, and the Sarvis Creek community development projects and policies. Area Plan (collectively called Sub-Area plans). In You will gain more knowledge about activities addition, there are jointly adopted municipal happening in Routt County and develop a greater plans. understanding about government and public decision making. Although being a planning commissioner will always be challenging, this handbook will provide A good planning commissioner takes the future reference to meeting the challenge. seriously, works hard, is patient, and willing and able to make decisions. In most states, the existence of a planning commission is a matter of law. None of these laws insures that a planning commission will be worthwhile. Only the people who become planning commissioners can do this. A Brief History of Planning, Platting and Zoning “Nothing is permanent but change.” - Heraclitus values and community-wide consensus of the future goals to which the community has agreed. Community planning in the United States is not a new concept. Early developers designed and The Routt County Zoning Regulations were planned towns where the streets, public adopted to help achieve planning goals in Routt buildings, businesses and homes were built. County. Zoning is the legal regulation of the way land is used in unincorporated areas of Routt The planning process helps elected officials when County. Zoning tries to ensure that there is making decisions that will affect the future of appropriate area for different activities and the their community. The process attempts to ensure location of these activities is appropriate for the that the decisions made by the community will area. benefit the community as a whole. Planning takes place when residents, helped by planners, The Routt County Subdivision Regulations control study their town or community and decide what the way land is divided and sold. These they want their community to be like in the regulations set standards which subdivisions future. must meet in order to make sure that development is in an orderly way and that Planning can promote and support economic services and utilities are provided appropriately. development. The planning process allows residents and decision-makers to examine Zoning determines how different areas of land alternatives and choose courses of action that can be used, while subdivision regulations outline can promote employment and economic well- the standards that must be met and the being. procedures to be followed when developing a specific piece of land for the uses that zoning Planning can protect property and property allows. values by separating a potentially harmful or disagreeable land use from surrounding Together, the plans and tools guide elected residential and commercial uses and by helping officials when making decisions. to protect neighborhoods. Property values can also be enhanced when the community plans for parks, trails, playgrounds and other amenities. Planning can also help integrate business and Zoning Regulations: residential neighborhoods to promote supportive • Guides overall development communities. • Separates incompatible uses • Describes standards for Planning can reduce environmental damage and development conserve resources. Planning can help a community identify areas where development Subdivision Regulations: may be inadvisable because of environmental • Regulates division of land conditions or for the protection of wildlife, into building lots sensitive habitat or scenic areas. • Assures that lots are adequate in size and shape Planning provides a forum for reaching • Ensures placement of public consensus. The Routt County Master Plan was facilities developed as a guide to support the community • Ensures adequate access and services Chapter 1 The Role of the Commission Colorado state statutes set out the devote a considerable amount of time and responsibilities of the Planning Commission (CRS energy to the job and must be willing to be sections 30-28-103 and 30-28-106). The Planning objective and make decisions that further the Commission’s primary function is to prepare and best interests of the whole community and adopt a comprehensive plan. This process has support the Routt County Master Plan and Zoning been completed and Routt County has an and Subdivision Regulations. You must be open adopted Master Plan which will guide you in your minded, willing to learn, and to change ideas in decision making. The Master Plan and other Sub- the light of new evidence. You must have the Area plans should be reviewed and updated as ability to define what is at issue and the strength needed to reflect the goals of the County. to make effective decisions. Often the most controversial role of the Planning Responsibility of a Planning Commission Commission is to review planning applications. Member Planning Commission will review applications based on the Routt County Zoning and To conduct effective meetings, Planning Commission members must be informed of the Subdivision Regulations and conformance with the Routt County Master Plan and Sub-Area application and the issue(s) associated with the application. Preparation is key to being an plans. effective planning commissioner and it starts with The Planning Commission reviews, through public knowledge of the Master Plan and Zoning and hearings, proposed zoning changes, subdivisions, Subdivision Regulations. replats as well as dedication and vacations of public land, rights-of-ways and easements, In addition, an effective commissioner comes Special Use Permits (SUP), Conditional Use prepared for the meeting. This means that, in Permits (CUP) and Site Plan reviews. The advance of the meetings, you prepare for Commission is closely involved in the preparation meetings by reading all reports with time, if and amendment of land use regulations and needed, for you to contact staff with any provides recommendations to the Board of questions before the meeting. By being prepared County Commissioners. you will be able to examine the facts on an issue, process public comments and create dialog which Qualifications of a Planning Commission will be the basis of a decision. Member The success of a meeting depends on active The most important qualification that a participation from a wide range of people – that commission member must have is a belief that is why the meeting is held. The Planning planning is essential to the community. There are Commission should be a forum for discussion of many opinions as to what good planning is and issues and people should feel free and on this, the Planning Commission need not (and encouraged to express their opinions. Planning probably will not) agree. You will be asked to Commission members should act in a fair, ethical Chapter 1 - Page 1 and consistent manner while maintaining an Responsibilities of the Chair acceptable and objective position. Decisions The chair has two types of responsibilities: those should not be based on personal philosophy or contained in the commission's Articles of opinion. Association, Robert’s Rules of Order and those that are more related to his or her leadership