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Planning staff: code amendments and mineral applications surged in 2024; online permitting expands
Summary
San Miguel County planning staff reported a busy 2024 with an increase in land‑use code amendments and two‑step mineral exploration permits, a decline in new single‑family construction permits, more remodels, and wider use of the SmartGov online permitting portal.
San Miguel County planning staff presented a year‑end recap to the Planning Commission, reporting a heavier workload in 2024 driven by multiple code changes, implementation of the new land‑use code on a hosted platform and greater mineral exploration permitting activity.
Planning staff said the department completed seven land‑use code amendments in 2024 (including solar rules, grading and excavation, and mining‑related changes) and shifted the county’s land‑use code from static PDFs to an online, navigable format on CivicPlus. Staff reported a roughly 64% increase in code amendments over a typical year and about a 200% increase in two‑step mineral exploration permits compared with prior years.
Staff also reviewed development permit trends: new single‑family construction applications and short‑term rental licenses were down compared with earlier years, while additions and remodels rose. Planning staff credited a more active building inspection program and the new SmartGov one‑permit intake process for some of the changes in short‑term rental licensing and permit compliance. The SmartGov portal combines multiple internal review streams so applicants upload a single packet that planning then routes internally to other county reviewers.
Staff noted other items in progress: wetland special‑use permits, subdivision exemptions that proceed directly to the Board of County Commissioners, and a handful of larger projects (examples discussed included wastewater siting and regional housing work). Staff said some administrative categories of permits (wetlands, lot‑line adjustments) are handled internally and do not always come to the planning commission for recommendation.
Commissioners asked about public access to application status in the new portal; staff said the public can view issued permits and property records but, for privacy and holder control, cannot subscribe broadly to a permit’s internal review details without permission from the applicant. Staff also flagged upcoming topics that may return to the commission, including housing initiatives, regional coordination on workforce housing and the West End working group’s outreach.
