Volunteer group reports progress educating residents on proposed county land-use ordinance

A volunteer Public Awareness Committee reported to the San Juan County Commission on outreach work to explain the county's proposed 2025 land-use ordinance and to compare it with the 2011 code.

The committee presenter (identified in the record as a volunteer) said the group has held two meetings to date with 40 attendees in LaSalle and 20 in Eastland, and plans additional sessions through March, April and May. The presenter described a four-part presentation that explains the purpose of government, walks listeners through a side-by-side comparison of the 2011 and 2025 ordinances, and offers question-and-answer time. “We do not record at these meetings on purpose. We want them to have trust,” the presenter said.

Committee members named in the presentation included Dave and Sarah Goodman and Marjorie Mann. Volunteers said they are compiling public comments and will condense feedback to share with the planning commission to avoid multiple speakers repeating the same points.

Commissioners praised the outreach, noting it helps residents better understand the ordinance and that additional time and clearer communications may reduce confusion. The presenter asked that the commission consider additional time if the public-education work needs it; one commissioner echoed support for further engagement.

Why it matters: Volunteers said citizens often rely on commissioners and planning officials to know what's right; the committee's aim is to increase public engagement and encourage residents to read the full ordinance rather than just the sections that seem to apply to them.

Next steps: The committee will finish the first round of meetings, share findings with county staff and the planning commission, and continue follow-up communications and printed instructions to help residents sign up for official county notices.