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Planning staff offers outreach on "Plan Hamilton" as commission debates growth and property rights
Summary
Planning staff said the county'wide land-use plan, Plan Hamilton, will return to planning commission and offered one-on-one meetings and public coordination. Commissioners debated how the plan balances private property rights and county growth objectives. Staff reiterated that zoning decisions remain with the county commission.
Planning staff briefed the commission on July 25 about upcoming work on Plan Hamilton and offered outreach and one-on-one meetings with commissioners and stakeholders ahead of the plan's return to the planning commission.
Karen Rendick told the commission staff will coordinate closely with county offices and commissioners, provide a schedule of meeting times, and meet virtually or in person to answer questions before the next planning commission hearing. "We do have a series of ideas that we'll be coordinating with the county ... and we will work on clearly communicating where we are heading," Rendick said.
Several commissioners used the opportunity to press staff about growth and property rights. Commissioner Mackey asked staff to explicitly ask residents who say they oppose growth whether they would want government to prevent a property owner who follows the rules from developing their land. Rendick replied that the plan's work is "really about growth based on infrastructure and desired approach moving forward for the county" and emphasized the plan seeks a balance of private property rights and an overall vision for county growth. Commissioners Sharp and Highlander reiterated that elected officials, not staff, make final zoning decisions and thanked staff for remaining neutral while presenting planning options.
Staff offered to share recent reports summarizing staff recommendations and planning commission recommendations and to provide data on past staff positions to help commissioners evaluate patterns of recommendations. Commissioners asked that information be shared with the full commission.
Ending: Planning staff will continue coordination and provide schedules for one-on-one meetings and materials before the plan returns to planning commission.
