countywide zoning

[Gallatin Grassroots Forum]

Friends, 

When you listed your email address with Gallatin Grassroots Forum, we promised that we would not send you unnecessary emails. We feel that this in one of those times that an email is very much warranted, and we hope that you’ll agree.

You may have read the news concerning the Gallatin County Commissioners’ decision to “shelve” their countywide rural zoning proposal. At this point, we’re not sure what this means, and we’re not sure that the Commissioners do either. At the very least, it means that they won’t be moving forward to enact countywide zoning anytime soon, unless they can be convinced that now, in fact, is precisely the time to adopt countywide zoning. 

At first blush, the Commissioners’ decision is reasonable; they have stated that, with little development happening right now, there is no need to adopt their plan. As you may expect, we see it quite differently. The right time to plan for a flood is during the dry season – not when the floodwaters are upon you. Likewise, this is precisely the time to enact their plan to manage growth in a way that protects what is most special about the Valley – before the inevitable flood of development returns. 

Gallatin Grassroots Forum believes it is too important for Gallatin County. The Commissioners’ countywide rural zoning proposal will save millions in taxpayer dollars, protect rural land values, and safeguard our magnificent landscape with all that it provides: productive ranches and farms, clean water, and great wildlife habitat. This proposal is also is vital to our region’s economic competitive advantage:  it’s our university, our infrastructure (such as the airport), and yes, our wide-open rural landscape, that ensures that advantage.

Please take a minute to read the key points to consider regarding countywide zoning. It briefly outlines why this plan should move forward as scheduled. We have also attached a short fact sheet regarding countywide zoning. 

We will be organizing an effort to make sure that the Commissioners understand this, and we will need the help of folks like you who care deeply about the future of our county. It would be very helpful if you could to call, write, or email the Commissioners regarding this decision and urge them to forge ahead. They can be reached at 582-3000, 311 West Main, Room 306, Bozeman, MT, 59715, or commi...@gallatin.mt.gov. 

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Gallatin Grassroots Forum at the number listed below.

 

Sincerely,

Gallatin Grassroots Forum