Bluff presents broad general-plan updates; public urges attention to housing, water and flood risks

Staff and the Bluff Planning and Zoning Commission presented proposed updates to the town—s general plan during the Oct. 28 public hearing. The updates refresh data since the town—s original 2018–2019 plan, add state-required elements and new sections on housing, agriculture, airport overlays, active transportation, and implementation and enforcement sections. The commission also drafted a future-use map — explicitly not a change to zoning — to identify potential future uses and areas to review.

Staff said additions include a housing section (not mandatory for a town of Bluff—s size but included for completeness), updated municipal infrastructure references, a new agriculture element, and a transportation/active-transportation element required by state guidance. The commission noted that the future-use map presently identifies limited areas for renewable energy but that the map can be revised based on public input.

During public comment, speakers commended the breadth of work. Josh Ewing urged the town to focus on low- and moderate-income housing and recommended consideration of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as an effective tool to increase housing stock without large-scale density changes. Ewing also asked for stronger water planning and flood-risk analysis, noting potential flood risk associated with large-scale mining/gravel removal upslope and asked that the future-use map be clearly posted for public review; staff acknowledged the map had not been available earlier and posted it during the meeting.

Staff reiterated that written public comments on the general plan will be accepted through 5 p.m. Nov. 7, 2025, and that additional public engagement (work sessions or open-house events) could be used to explore complex topics such as housing and water. No adoption vote was taken during the hearing.