Two of the purposes written into the proposed, controversial revisions to the Delta County subdivision regulations are the protection of agricultural land and operations, and the implementation of the goals and policies of the county’s master plan. The current draft of these revisions, however, disregards most of the master plan, including the very goals and policies intended to protect agriculture. These revisions would eliminate less-costly minor subdivisions and family splits.
The proposed revisions were introduced to the public on April 10 by the county commission chairman as a means to “slow down growth.” Growth has slowed down. No further measures are needed.
The rest of the world is currently working to stimulate growth and create jobs.  Meeting a recession head-on with public policy intended to slow down growth is certainly an unorthodox approach.
Our county planner, in a presentation of these proposed regulations to the planning commission July 10, explained that while the economy had taken a downturn, it would, “come back up again.”  Well, it hasn’t. Some economists predict a 10-year downturn. Our planner should revisit areas of the master plan he chose to disregard when drafting the revisions, specifically Goal 5, Policy B: “Recognize that economic development planning requires different skills and experience from land use planning.”
Rather than drive our local economy over a cliff, taking land values, construction jobs and the real estate market with it, our planning department, planning commission and board of county commissioners should perhaps reconsider this plan to slow down growth.
KEN SCHUM
Cedaredge

This entry was posted on Friday, November 28th, 2008 at 3:33 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.