Planning board kicks off public comment and education for enhanced citizen-initiated zoning process

The Park County Planning Board voted July 16 to kick off a public comment period and an education campaign for an enhanced citizen-initiated zoning district (CICD) process. Planning staffer Lawson Worman told the board the commission asked staff to move a draft into public engagement and framed three aims: make the petition process more affordable and accessible, increase early participation so neighbors can shape proposals before petitions are filed, and standardize terms across existing citizen-initiated zoning districts so county staff can administer and enforce them more consistently.

Worman said the commission had asked for four public meetings—one each in the Shields, Clyde Park/Immigrant, Livingston and Gardiner areas—but urged flexibility on timing and format. He proposed a combined approach: open a written public comment period, run staff-led educational workshops during the comment window, make staff available to community groups, then hold the four in-person listening sessions in the fall when attendance is likely to be higher.

Board members expressed concerns that in-person sessions scheduled during peak tourist and agricultural seasons could reduce participation and that volunteer board members might be overburdened by attending multiple sessions. Some favored a strong upfront education effort (plain-language materials, FAQs and workshops) so public meetings gather informed comment rather than broad, unfocused feedback.

Public commenters generally supported the outreach plan but urged caution about legal limits. Ken Cochran of Prince Of Park County said educational tools should remain optional and "not become nonstatutory hurdles, a practical veto, or a means of delaying or discouraging the exercise of the statutory petition rights" (transcript citation). Land-use planner Randy Carpenter advised the board to ensure pre-application meetings, templates and outreach reports remain educational and not mandatory prerequisites that would alter petitioners’ statutory rights.

After discussion, the board approved a motion directing staff to begin the public comment period, focus on educational materials and workshops, and return to the board in August to set dates for fall listening sessions. Staff will lead education and be available to community groups; the commissioners retain final authority over any statutory changes.

What happens next: planning staff will open the comment period, circulate draft materials and schedule workshops; the board will set the four listening-session dates at its August meeting and review public input before making recommendations to the commission.