tfa wholeheartedly concurs with the sentiments Susan Bueg, Chairwoman of the grassroots organization Carbon County Resource Council (CCRC) sets forth in her Letter to the Carbon County News Editor dated 1.11.2024, as shown below.
“Removal Of Public Comment Detrimental
Dear Commissioners Blain, Bullock, and Miller,
Carbon County Resource Council appreciates the opportunity to provide comment on the September 2023 proposed updates to the County Development Regulations. Carbon County Resource Council (CCRC) is a group of concerned citizens advocating responsible use of resources and finding solutions to problems that affect our unique, Montana quality of life. We mobilize citizens of Carbon County to take action on critical issues facing our communities and actively participate in the public process.
Carbon County Resource Council would like to thank the planning board members for their time drafting these regulation updates.
Carbon County Resource Council opposes the removal of the public comment process for Group 2 permits, re: section 4, subsection ‘b,’ on page 4. We understand this change does not affect the Conditional Use permitting process. We also understand the rationale of shifting the Group 2 permitting process to the Planning Board, but feel the removal of a public comment period will be detrimental. Relying solely on the Planning Board as the ‘public’ is inadequate. Combined with the bare minimum of 100ft / 10 day notification period, we believe this change will have very adverse effects and that the permitting process requires stronger public involvement.
CCRC urges the Commissioners to re-insert the original language of the section, and include a larger notification distance and time, to read as:
The Planning Director shall notice all property owners within 500 feet of the subject property and solicit public comment on the proposed development during a 30 calendar day comment period prior to the Zoning Commission meeting at which the application will be discussed.
As a grassroots organization, Carbon County Resource Council understands the importance of public participation. Public participation is critical for collecting input from all stakeholders, ensuring transparency and trust in the planning process, and making decisions that reflect the interests of the public. (emphasis added).
However, public engagement isn’t possible without adequate public notice or opportunities for public participation. Without adequate public input, the County cannot expect that all stakeholders have been meaningfully consulted. (emphasis added).
Changes that remove the solicitation of public comment place an ever increasing burden on the public to keep up with what’s going on. (emphasis added).
We would encourage the Planning Board and the Commissioners to consider expanding its public outreach and solicitation of comments throughout the development permitting processes, to include increased use of print journalism and social media. (emphasis added).
Thank you for your attention and for the opportunity to comment.
Sincerely,
Susan Beug, Chairwoman, Carbon County Resource
Council, Red Lodge”
The preceding article is sourced from the January 11, 2023 issue of the Carbon County News, available at the following link: https://www.carboncountynews.com/commentary/removal-of-public-comment-detrimental/article_4b54acca-ae3b-11ee-9ad8-e793c25c2bda.html
