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OSAC urges stronger Open Space and Trails language in updated Summit County Comprehensive Plan; members recommend appointments
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Summary
OSAC reviewed the first draft of Summit County’s Comprehensive Plan and urged clearer, specific policies for Open Space and Trails; the Council also recommended reappointments and new appointees for several OSAC seats and recognized long‑serving members.
Katherine King, Open Space and Trails Director, and planning consultant Megan Moore (Logan‑Simpson) presented the first draft of the updated Summit County Comprehensive Plan and summarized initial staff feedback and community input. King said OST staff reviewed the draft to ensure OST Master Plan elements were carried forward.
Multiple OSAC members urged more specificity and prominence for Open Space and Trails elements. Member Laura Rossetter asked that natural surface trails and Open Space be emphasized and recommended a more accessible organization — potentially their own chapter — so that Open Space policy is not lost among broader plan categories. Peter Grosshuesch and others recommended that building envelopes, driveway lengths (to limit habitat fragmentation), and restrictions on wetland mitigation banking be stated more explicitly; Peter argued that wetland mitigation should occur within the same subbasin rather than allowing county‑wide mitigation that could harm high‑altitude wetlands.
Council members also raised resource and implementation concerns. John Uban asked for clearer discussion of how federal lands interact with private county lands and development; Paul Semmer suggested the plan consider concentrated tourism strategies to reduce pressure on sensitive sites during shoulder seasons. Members encouraged referencing volunteer resources and capacity for Open Space management.
On appointments, Director King and Chair Dave Bittner recognized Terry Craig and Laura Rossetter for 12 years of service; both received framed photographs and a Board of County Commissioners resolution acknowledging their service. The Council discussed 12 applicants for five open seats and recommended reappointing Jeff Zimmerman and Meagan Yahr and appointing David Sheets, Jim Alexander, Brandon Bruegger, Bob Nothnagel, and George Kokoefer to fill remaining openings; OSAC’s recommendations will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration.
Next steps: Planning staff will incorporate feedback into future drafts of the Comprehensive Plan and OSAC’s appointment recommendations will be transmitted to the Board of County Commissioners.