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Speakers question evidence rules in appeals, excluded online comments and consultant accessibility
Summary
Residents asked why some online comments were excluded from the public record, raised concerns about a new evidence chapter for appeals, and reported accessibility problems with the engagement site; county staff said they would check with consultants and review the wording on evidence to reflect use of the original record.
At the DSR 1 public hearing, Carrie Peters asked why certain comments posted to the Engage Park County site were not shown in the compiled comment list and whether officials had decided which comments to include. "Who decides about the comments, which ones get included?" she asked. The chair said staff would check and verify whether consultants had excluded repeat comments and would follow up.
Resident Jim Daugherty raised concerns about a newly added evidence chapter in the administrative section, saying the 2015 DSR "was silent on the subject of evidence" and that the new language appeared to allow the board or chair to exclude or admit items without clear rules. "Now in the next phase, it'll be up to the board," Daugherty said, arguing that the draft lacks criteria for what evidence can be submitted on appeal.
The chair replied that the intent was to rely on the original record for appeals — what was provided in the application or decision being appealed — and that staff would consult the county attorney and refine the wording to address commenters' concerns.
Several speakers also reported accessibility problems with the consultant's online comment tool. Jim Daugherty said the Logan Simpson website "does not allow iPad users to insert comments" and urged staff to ensure the engagement portal is accessible to residents using various devices.
Why it matters: Appeals procedures and evidence rules determine what material is available to decision-makers and appellants; exclusion criteria can affect fairness and legal defensibility. Public-accessibility issues can limit participation and the representativeness of the record.
Next steps: Staff committed to checking why comments were excluded from the compiled list, to consult the county attorney about evidence wording, and to add tonight's comments to the Engage Park County portal.
