Planning & Zoning Commissioners Continue the Code...

Last Monday night’s P&Z hearing was just over 3 1/2 hours. Commissioners closed the meeting after all comments were in and a motion to continue to Wednesday, the 27th, was made and unanimously approved. Commissioners wanted time to review late comments and absorb all they had heard throughout the evening. On Wednesday, Commissioners reopened public comment and made sure there was no one left unheard - even going back and forth between Zoom and in-person to include latecomers. 

Audio for both meetings can be found HERE.

After all comments were in, a motion was immediately made to continue the meeting and form an ad hoc committee, pursuant to Article 2 Sec 6 of the bylaws,  with representatives from advocacy groups and the public. No planning staff, misinformation, lack of direct communication between Commissioners and the public, letters received from kids and misinformation (again) were issues raised by commissioners. The public hearing was closed. 

Commissioners were curious if some commenters had in fact read the updated draft. They found themselves defending the hours and hours they put into revisions - how they removed so many regulations for beekeepers - resolved large landowner concerns of being denied the option to carve off pieces of their property - lessened home-based business restrictions - created nonrestrictive short term rental requirements. Commissioners questioned if anyone knew that they made those changes. 

Commissioners agreed that 2.5 acre “cookie-cutter” lots across the rural landscape were undeniably inconsistent with the comprehensive plan and not something they were going to agree to. They did agree that new, valid, points would be discussed, but they don’t plan to revisit all they’ve already done.  

During their November 9th meeting, Commissioners will decide what the path forward looks like. They will iron out details in forming a committee, address any late arriving public comments, and discuss the BOCC’s objectives for review. 

No secret, we wanted to see the draft Code handed off to the BOCC. But since we’re still not there yet, here’s our take on The Good, The Bad & The Ugly...

The Good? Having a seat on the steering committee could mean we directly engage on  the Code. We can be more aggressive with our recommendations and bring to the table compromises already made throughout the process - and possibly revisit those compromises in response to bad-faith actions.

The Bad? Commissioners have put in a lot of time into the draft Code to date, but are being made to feel like they haven’t done enough to placate the implacable.

The Ugly? The possibility of prolonged animosity fueled by misinformation within the community is real. However, a steering committee gives the opportunity to help educate and confront misinformation head-on.

Addressing the Elephant in the Room

With all of the evidence mounting about the polarizing effect of Facebook and other social media, it should probably come as no surprise that discussions about the Code have devolved into a mean-spirited, fact-free tangle of misinformation and divisiveness. However, the Planning & Zoning Commission’s decision to table discussion of the Code is particularly disappointing because it shows that after nine years, the will of the people can be frustrated by a bureaucratic stumbling block (as Idaho law requires a P&Z recommendation before a code can be considered by the county commission). In the last two election cycles, successful county commission candidates have campaigned on the adoption of the new code. It is our fervent hope that the County Commissioners will be allowed to do the job the people elected them to do. 

As reported in this all-too-familiar story, “misinformation is the new playbook.” The willful sowing of discord has become a hobby for some. But, we’ve seen this movie before, as many anti-planning and anti-conservation groups have quickly risen and fallen in Teton Valley. As our 20-year history demonstrates, the truth will prevail, and love of land and community will overcome fear and divisiveness. 

Say strong, folks.