Residents urge commissioners to put Big Sheep Mountain zoning back on the full agenda

Public comment at a Prairie County Board of Commissioners meeting focused on the proposed Big Sheep Mountain zoning district, with at least one attendee telling the board that constituents in several commissioner districts had overwhelmingly supported the change.

A resident who compiled public-record materials said she found “100% of the land owners in your district have been proponents of the Big Sheep Mountain District,” and asked commissioners to review comments from people who live inside each affected district before taking a vote. The comment was offered during the public-comment period on the county agenda.

Speakers during public comment also criticized how a neighboring county handled a related zoning process. One attendee alleged Dawson County had not followed statutory notice and posting requirements and said that procedure could invite litigation if repeated. Commissioners and meeting participants discussed whether a chair’s 'no' vote that sends a matter to the next meeting was common practice or an anomaly in Dawson County’s process.

Commissioners did not take a final procedural vote on the zoning at this meeting. Staff and commissioners noted the issue remains on the calendar for further review; some speakers asked officials to schedule a full public hearing or add the item to a future regular agenda so the board can act formally.