Garner officials seek adoption of updated Gardner Neighborhood Plan into growth policy

Residents of Gardner are poised to see progress on the long-awaited Gardner Neighborhood Plan following a recent Park County Commission meeting. Colette Dabelberg and Lynn Chan, both local residents, presented a request to initiate the adoption process of the plan as an addendum to the current growth policy.

The Gardner Neighborhood Plan, developed through community collaboration from February 2018 to February 2022, aims to outline the goals and vision for the area. After navigating some community conflicts, the plan was presented to the commission in September 2020 and discussed further in December 2023. At that meeting, a motion was made to include the plan in the new growth policy process, which passed with a 2-1 vote.

Dabelberg emphasized the importance of moving forward with the plan, especially after a recent referendum that passed in June, allowing the commission to resume discussions on the neighborhood's future. The plan's adoption is seen as a crucial step in shaping Gardner's development and addressing community needs.

The commission's next steps will involve reviewing the plan and integrating it into the existing growth policy framework, ensuring that the voices of Gardner residents continue to be heard in the planning process. This initiative marks a significant milestone for the community, as it seeks to enhance local living conditions and foster sustainable growth.