Carbon County adopts comprehensive plan and Greenways, Trails and Open Space plan

The Carbon County Board of Commissioners on a unanimous vote adopted the county Comprehensive Plan and the Greenways, Trails and Open Space Plan, documents county staff and the plan consultant said are intended to guide land use, housing and outdoor-economy decisions going forward.

Tim Staub, the project manager for the comprehensive plan effort, told commissioners the planning process began in January 2024, ran about 16 months and included a discovery and outreach phase, envisioning and capacity building and work to prepare implementation guidance. "We prepared 2 planning documents for the county, both of them, running parallel to each other," Staub said, describing themes that shaped the plans: housing, outdoor economy, infrastructure and placemaking for the comprehensive plan, and connected/protected/plentiful/celebrate for the greenways and trails plan. He said the plan includes implementation tables, suggested leads for tasks, and a list of grant and loan opportunities to help start projects.

Staub summarized key findings presented to commissioners: housing demand varies across the county and, in some places, housing stock has declined as buyers from outside the county purchased second homes; childcare costs have increased "by 12%, and for a single parent up to 40%" over the last five years; and recreational amenities are heavily used by residents living within about 50 miles, which the consultant said supports further investment in tourism and outdoor amenities.

The consultant reported the plans were advertised and posted on the county website as required by the Municipalities Planning Code and had been reviewed by the county planning commission and adjoining municipalities. Staub said the plans also include implementation guidance and an implementation table that lists priorities, timelines, potential costs and suggested funding sources.

Two separate adoption motions were offered by the commissioners and carried by roll call: one to adopt the Comprehensive Plan and one to adopt the Greenways, Trails and Open Space Plan. Both motions were approved by the full board.

Commissioners and staff encouraged the public and municipal partners to review the documents and to participate in implementation steps. The consultant said the plans are intended to be practical, with theme-based goals and specific objectives to guide county and municipal work.

Looking ahead, Staub said the next steps are focused on implementation and on coordinating with local municipalities and regional partners on infrastructure and shared priorities.