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Daniels County adopts updated growth policy, clears way for zoning review and grant applications
Summary
After a public hearing, commissioners approved a draft growth policy that prioritizes rural character, housing options including 'missing middle' units and accessory dwellings, improved infrastructure and updated zoning code guidance; staff will submit the plan to the Montana Department of Commerce for reimbursement and begin capital planning.
Daniels County commissioners voted Feb. 18 to adopt an updated county growth policy that lays out goals for housing, economic development, infrastructure and emergency services.
A county planner presented the draft and told commissioners the plan is based on an October public survey and input from the planning commission and local stakeholders. The document emphasizes protecting Daniels County’s rural character while encouraging “missing middle” housing (duplexes and triplexes), accessory dwelling units and measures to support young families, seniors and small-business development.
The plan calls for an updated zoning code — noting the current code dates to 1983 and often requires 40-acre minimums for single-family homes — and recommends reviewing lot-size restrictions to make housing more affordable. It also lists implementation tools and priority actions, from pursuing USDA Rural and state grants to partnering with regional economic development organizations.
Commissioners asked for clarification on funding and implementation. The planner said the policy’s inclusion of zoning-code updates increases the county’s chances of receiving state grant funds to support code rewrites and related work. Following the public hearing and discussion, a commissioner moved to accept the growth policy; the board voted in favor and directed staff to submit the document to the Montana Department of Commerce to secure reimbursement and to begin preparation of a capital improvements plan.
Why it matters: The growth policy sets the county’s policy framework for land use decisions, zoning updates and grant-seeking over the next several years. Updating the zoning code and adding policies that encourage smaller lots and diverse housing types could affect future development approvals, county funding priorities and eligibility for state and federal grants.
Next steps: Staff will transmit the approved growth policy to the Department of Commerce for reimbursement, pursue grant opportunities for a capital improvements plan and begin work on any recommended zoning-code and subdivision-code updates.
