Written Comment Deadline for New County Land Use Code - May 11th!

In 2012, Teton County adopted a new Comprehensive Plan. Development of the plan included over 4,000 public engagements, leading to an award from the American Planning Association for public participation. 

Since the Comprehensive Plan’s adoption in 2012, the County has been trying to implement the plan - specifically, by drafting a new Land Use Code that reflects the Comprehensive Plan’s Future Land Use Map. The Comprehensive Plan is a visionary policy - it has no force of law. Only through the adoption of a corresponding Land Use Code can all tenets of the plan be implemented. 

In the 9 years(!) since adoption of the Comprehensive Plan, the County has gone through several fits and starts with the Code effort. Political administrations changed, consultants were hired and fired, planning staff came and went, and confusion was rampant. 

Then, in Spring of 2019, the Teton County Commission recruited Logan Simpson, a nationally-recognized consulting firm, and made a fresh start in updating the code. Dozens of stakeholder interviews, public workshops, and committee meetings later - as well as an 8-month pause during the pandemic - the county has released its first draft. 

Our take? You can view our detailed comment letter here. But, in a nutshell, it's good! It’s simple and direct, and a welcome departure from the antiquated and ponderous Zoning/Subdivision Ordinances that exist today. Rather than the arbitrary two-size-fits-all 2.5-acre/20-acre scheme on the books now, the proposed Code establishes 5-acre zones, 10-acre zones, 20-acres zones, and 35-acres zones that meld with the valley’s geography. It also uses an “Average Density” rather than requiring a minimum lot size; so, for example, if you have a 40-acre parcel in a 5-acre zone, you can create 8 lots of varying size. This will likely induce much open space, as landowners can break off a few small lots at the edge of their property instead of platting cookie-cutter 2.5-acre or 20-acre lots across the land and building the miles of roads that must be built to serve them. 

There’s been some chatter about regulations for bees, fences, and churches. From our perspective, these things are easily addressed and is exactly what public comment is for. We urge you to take a look at the code yourself and submit a comment to the Planning & Zoning Commission at pz@co.teton.id.us. The P&Z will hold a public hearing on May 18th at 5pm, and written comments are due on May 11th at 5pm. 

It’s super important that you make your voice heard. The proposed Land Use Code is the most important moment in our 20-year history. Zombie subdivisions, scattered development, loss of rural heritage, and degradation of the environment loom large with the current code. By adopting the proposed Land Use Code, we will usher in a new era of planning & zoning in Teton Valley that will protect the valley’s character we all enjoy for future generations. 

However, to make this happen, YOU MUST ENGAGE. Please send a note of support to pz@co.teton.id.us before May 11th at 5pm. Your comment doesn’t have to be a novel - just a few sentences explaining why you support the code will suffice.