Comment letter on proposed Teton County Road & Bridge facility – Dec 5th, 2018

December 5, 2018

City of Driggs Planning & Zoning Commission

PO Box 48

60 S Main St.

Driggs, ID 83422

Re: Conditional Use Permit for Teton County Road & Bridge Facility

Dear Commissioners:

The proposed County Road & Bridge Facility lies well within the Teton Creek Corridor Project, a $14-million dollar restoration initiated by Friends of the Teton River, Teton Regional Land Trust, Teton Valley Trails and Pathways, Valley Advocates for Responsible Development, and countless others who share a vision for a restored, vibrant Teton Creek corridor.

In our September 5, 2018 letter, we recommended tabling the application in order to allow the applicant to provide more information – most importantly, a Wildlife Impact Impact Analysis and Mitigation Plan. The applicant has opted to not provide this and other information deemed necessary by the P&Z in order to properly conduct a factual analysis. This information is critical to proper fact finding and consideration of the statutory CUP criteria.

This is unfortunate, and grounds for denial.

Since your last meeting, Teton County has revealed other sites that can accommodate the facility. All other sites are less impactful than the site under consideration. Valley Advocates hereby offers free design and site planning assistance to the applicant for the other sites.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Shawn W. Hill  

Executive Director