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Commissioners continue land-use amendment to August; public urged to resubmit comments; special Trestle Creek meeting set
Summary
Bonner County's board continued the proposed comprehensive-plan land-use amendment until August to allow more public input and staff workshops; commissioners also signaled upcoming Title 12 code discussions on broadband and cell-tower permits and explained a June special meeting on Trestle Creek coordination with federal land managers.
The Bonner County Board of Commissioners said during a district report that it has continued the proposed amendment to the county comprehensive plan’s land-use component until August to allow additional public workshops and review, and urged members of the public to resubmit comments that remain pertinent to the board’s current proposal.
A district commissioner said they were not comfortable adopting the plan as presented and intends to propose changes before a final vote. "We're continuing to receive public comments and... the board continued that hearing until August," the District 1 commissioner said. The commissioner asked residents to resubmit comments if they remain relevant to the current proposed document because the planning commission may have made changes to earlier drafts.
County staff indicated the full comp plan update includes a land-use map, implementation component (goals and objectives), and parallel updates to Title 12 (county code), including possible changes related to broadband and conditional-use permits for cell towers. The board said Title 12 adjustments will be discussed in coming meetings.
Members of the public raised questions about how submitted comments were being used. Anne Wyler Chamberlain, speaking as a resident during public comment, asked whether earlier written comments had been fully considered. County officials said planning-commission submissions were reviewed at that stage but the board will now thoroughly review comments submitted regarding the current proposed amendment.
The board also described a special meeting scheduled for June regarding Trestle Creek, which will include a representative associated with U.S. federal lands. Officials said the discussion will focus on coordinating access and maintenance because a proposed federal corridor for snowmobile or off-road-vehicle travel adjacent to a county right of way could affect snow plowing and road safety. The county noted the Planning Department recently hired a new hearings coordinator, which staff said should improve consistency in posting agendas and notices.
Ending: The board said the earliest potential adoption of the full comp plan updates is August and encouraged continued public participation in upcoming workshops and hearings. Staff and commissioners recommended residents contact the planning department for detailed maps and data and to verify whether earlier comments need resubmission.
