Teton County Residents Debate Development Ordinances

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Story Published: Jun 11, 2008 at 4:00 PM MST

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 9:30 PM MST

By Nate Eaton

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Teton County residents are voicing their opinions about proposed Planned Unit Developments (PUD) and subdivision ordinances.

For the past year, a group of farmers, special advocates, and members of the planning and zoning board in Teton County has been meeting to revise the ordinances.

David Hansel, Planning & Zoning Board Chairman: "The county was having difficulties figuring out what the impacts in development and growth were going to be."

Developers have been frustrated with the current ordinances and many felt growth was happening too fast...so county commissioners ordered a massive revision.

Now the revision is complete and the public is voicing their opinion.

Kim Billimoria, Valley Advocates for Responsible Developments: "We believe it's a step forward."

Valley Advocates for Responsible Development likes the changes in the ordinances and while there may be some problems, the group believes it's progress.

Billimoria: "What's really important for the public and developers is that there's a fair and predictable process."

Nolan Boyle, Teton Valley Alliance Executive Director: "Definitely there's a need to change the PUD."

Nolan Boyle of Teton Valley Alliance agrees a change is needed but says the new ordinances are too restrictive. He points to the fact developers are prohibited from building within a 1/4 mile of wildlife areas.

Boyle: "Those overlaps cover 80% of the private land in the valley. A lot of the developers would leave the valley and with it goes the jobs."

The new ordinances aren't set in stone yet and may be changed before they become effective...but overall Planning and Zoning believes this is a step in a right direction.

Hansel: "It's gonna be better for the county government, for the tax payers, and I think the general public is gonna be a lot happier with what we have."

Changes will likely be made before the ordinances are presented to county commissioners for final approval.

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