Only zoning board members will hear appeals
Staff writer
County commissioners voted Monday to limit membership on the Board of Zoning Appeals to Planning and Zoning Commission members. Commissioner Clarke Dirks casted the lone opposing vote. Commissioner Dave Crofoot was absent.
The move isn’t illegal, according to county counselor Brad Jantz, but it does raise interesting challenges in that the appeals board issues final rulings, appealable only in court, to actions taken by the planning commission.
Dirks opposed limiting membership because it would reduce opportunities for citizens to be represented in county governance. Other commissioners suggested that appeals board members would already be familiar with zoning issues and cases.
Commissioners also clarified planning and zoning bylaws about member attendance. Members absent from more than three consecutive regular meetings without justification will no longer be in good standing.
In other business, commissioners approved two bids from NF Construction for stabilizing stream banks on the North Cottonwood at Goldenrod Rd. and along Clear Creek at 230th Rd.
The projects will cost $79,110 and $87,630, respectively, and the county will be partially reimbursed through a federal cost-share program, administrator Tina Spencer said. The exact percentage was not confirmed during the meeting.
Work is expected to take place in August because of environmental restrictions related to protected fish species.
Emergency management director Marcy Hostetler provided a quarterly update outlining recent training and response efforts, including storm response and emergency preparedness classes.
Hostetler asked commissioners to designate someone to represent the county in an emergency operations center in the event of a disaster. Those serving in such roles are typically required to complete incident command training.
Commissioners discussed options but did not take formal action.
Jantz reported working on policy updates tied to changes in state law, as well as draft agreements related to commercial driver’s license training and cost-sharing between the county and municipalities.