Valley County adopts updated comprehensive plan amid strong opposition from McCall officials and residents

Valley County commissioners unanimously approved updates to the county comprehensive plan and related code amendments at a Dec. 1 meeting in Cascade, drawing extended public opposition from McCall officials and local residents.

Planning & Zoning Director Cynda Herrick presented the staff report and a summary of written comments and revisions recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission. The hearing, opened by Chairman Sherry Maupin, drew multiple speakers from McCall and Valley County who expressed concerns about zoning clarity, roads and infrastructure, and what several called insufficient opportunities for public engagement during the multi-year update process.

Bob Giles, mayor of McCall, and Michelle Groenvelt, McCall's community and economic development director, were among city officials who testified in opposition. Dozens of residents including Patsy Kelly, Eric Gisler, Liz Rucola and others told the board they feared the updated plan did not provide adequate zoning protections or community involvement mechanisms.

Commissioner Katlin Caldwell said she had read and considered the submitted comments and supported the updated plan, noting the county's multi-year work on the update. Chairman Maupin said she favored clearer zoning requirements and recommended the county hire outside consulting help to support regional planning and future zoning work. Commissioner Neal Thompson joined in support, and the board voted to adopt Resolution 2026-03 adopting the comprehensive plan updates and to approve Ordinance 2025-07 amending Valley County Code.

During deliberations, Herrick outlined specific Planning & Zoning Commission recommendations the board accepted, including language to consider each city's future land use maps when making county decisions, an insertion to reference communities' adopted master transportation plans under Goal 1, and map update requests from a resident (noted in the record as an update requested by Vicki Millier).

Opponents of the changes urged additional public engagement and, in some cases, a building moratorium; commissioners explained that a moratorium carries statutory requirements and that separate zoning processes and hearings would be used to address detailed zoning changes. The record does not show any immediate zoning moratorium was imposed.

The board approved both the resolution and ordinance by voice vote with no recorded opposition. Valley County officials said they would continue community engagement on zoning and consider hiring a consultant to assist with regional planning and implementation.

The comprehensive plan updates and code amendments were adopted at the Dec. 1 meeting; the board indicated it will continue to review public input and next steps for more detailed zoning work at future meetings.