Local committee tells planning commission survey shows distrust, opposition to county code-enforcement officer

A volunteer Public Awareness Committee presented survey results to the San Juan County Planning Commission May 8, saying respondents expressed widespread dissatisfaction with county engagement, a strong preference for minimal regulation and substantial opposition to hiring a county code-enforcement officer.

Sarah Goodman and Shannon Brooks, who spoke on behalf of the committee, said the group gathered 236 survey responses from residents in unincorporated areas and held multiple public workshops. Goodman said the community uses the word "rural" in a way that emphasizes "space, freedom, and minimal services," and that planners should ensure they and residents are working from the same definition.

"If commissioners and planners define rural as simply a zone on the path to becoming urban, you'll pursue policies that transform open land into controlled development," Goodman said. Committee speakers said 73% of respondents said they feel dissatisfied with representation in planning and nearly 79% said they do not currently receive county email notices.

Brooks summarized policy priorities the survey revealed: 81.4% of respondents favored fewer government regulations, 73.3% prioritized stronger protection of citizen rights, and 44.9% listed homestead family businesses as a top development priority. The committee argued that encouraging small-scale, home-based or "homestead" businesses could boost local incomes and resilience without requiring major infrastructure.

On the question of a code-enforcement or code-compliance officer, the committee urged caution. Brooks said the language in the recently filled building-official job description included a line about "code compliance" that residents read as a potential expansion toward proactive enforcement. "Hiring a code enforcement officer right now doesn't look like a neutral step forward," Brooks said. The committee argued that, given low public trust, county funds would be better spent on outreach, education and permitting support than on proactive enforcement.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions. Planning staff and Brooks discussed distinctions between enforcement of building code (a state-regulated function of a building official) and broader code compliance. The committee asked the commission to pause adoption of enforcement provisions until public outreach increases and the ordinance language is revised.

Commissioners did not take an immediate vote on that recommendation. Staff said they will continue to refine ordinance language and consider additional community workshops prior to any final action.