Carbon County commissioners approve intent to adopt updated Growth Policy and continue subdivision-regulation review

The Carbon County Commission on April 14, 2026 approved Resolution 2026-07, an intent to adopt an updated Growth Policy, and continued work on parallel updates to the county’s Subdivision Regulations.

Bill Bullock moved to approve Resolution 2026-07, "Intent to Adopt the Revised Carbon County Growth Policy," under MCA 76-1-604. Scott Miller seconded the motion and it carried. Contract Planner Forrest Mandeville presented the revised Growth Policy, showing population graphs and sections where the Planning Board had added language. "The growth policy will influence regulatory documents such as Subdivision Regulations and Development Regulations," Mandeville said, and he proposed joint training for the Planning Board and the Commission on subdivision review processes.

Mandeville also led a work session on Subdivision Regulation changes, presenting a "significant changes" memo that summarized the Planning Board’s recommended decision points. Discussion among staff and planners covered recognition of stream banks in documents, document standards and analysis requirements, zoning implications, and fire-protection standards. Sanitarian Jesse Gutierrez and Fire Warden Tom Kohley participated in the discussion. The group scheduled further meetings on April 30, 2026 (11:30 a.m. continued discussion of the Growth Policy; 1:00 p.m. for subdivision specifics) and set a meeting to adopt the updated Subdivision Regulations for May 14, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

The resolution approved on April 14 was an action of intent under state law (MCA 76-1-604) and does not itself finalize adoption; the Planning Board and Commission will continue the public and interagency process before any final regulatory changes take effect.

Next steps: joint training and the April 30 follow-up meetings, then a May 14 session to consider formal adoption of the Subdivision Regulations.