Public weighs in on Teton Co. comprehensive plan
After more than two years of discussion, the Teton County comprehensive plan could be adopted in just hours. On Thursday night, people living there sounded off at a public hearing ahead of county commissioners’ decision on the “guiding document” on Friday.
Thursday’s hearing was emotionally charged. The room was literally split down the aisle like families at a wedding.
County Commission Chair Kathy Rinaldi said there are positive improvements from the 2005 version, like planning for growth in cities and focusing on improving the economy. But, she said, the devil is in the details.
Some say developing a new county plan is driving a wedge between the people of Teton Valley.
“Friends are no longer friends. Families are divided,” said Leona Wood, who’s lived in the area ever since marrying a “valley boy” 45 years ago. “It’s getting bad, really bad.”
Wood described the community right now as “volatile,” but said she knows more controls are needed after years of growth and development.
“Yeah, it’s changing a lot,” said Wood.
That change is in large part what prompted commissioners to update the comprehensive plan from its 2005 version.
“We took a very grassroots approach,” said Rinaldi. “We wanted the plan to really come from the community.”
Rinaldi said the new plan is more consistent across different sections, with clear guidelines for implementation. But Wood doesn’t feel like everyone has been involved in the process.
“I feel like big land owners didn’t realize what was happening until everything was well said,” said Wood.
Rinaldi said there’s been controversy over property rights and language about wildlife.
And then there are those who are opposed to any plan at all.
“There is no one in this valley, including myself, and no group, who’s intelligent enough to chart a course for this valley, or any other valley, for the next 5 years, much less the next 20 years,” said resident David Dean.
Rinaldi said a comprehensive plan is required by Idaho law. She said it’s a dynamic document that’s often amended over years.
Wood said she would like to see see the process slow down for more discussion.
Commissioners will reconvene Friday at the Teton County courthouse at 5:30 p.m. They’ll decide whether to adopt this version of the comprehensive plan, make some changes or send it back to the planning and zoning department.
