It’s been 15 years since Jefferson County last updated its growth policy. This year, finally, the policy — and the county’s subdivision regulations — will get a refresh.
The county Planning Board agreed on Feb. 13 to a timeline with the Helena-based consulting firm Great West Engineering that aims to produce a draft growth policy by June, with a final version to be approved by the County Commission and then completed by November.
A growth policy is described, though not strictly required, by Montana statute. It is intended to help guide decisions about a community’s future — specifically about land use, infrastructure, and local services, but also with regard to economic development, public safety, recreation and other issues. The exact language of the statute outlines “a description of policies, regulations, and other measures to be implemented in order to achieve the goals and objectives.”
The county’s current growth policy was produced in 2003, authored by Basin resident Bryher Herak. It was last revised in 2009, in anticipation of the creation of new tax increment financing districts. Planning Director LaDana Hintz says the policy has not been reviewed since, despite a statutory requirement that it be reviewed at least every five years — a consequence she says, of the county’s capacity and of the project’s expense.
“For a long time it didn’t matter, since we weren’t growing,” Hintz says. “Now it matters.” The 2003 policy, she says, “doesn’t match the reality of today.”
Among other things, the county has more people: In 2003, its population was estimated at 10,196 by the U.S. Census Bureau. In two decades, residency has grown by about 25%, last estimated at 12,826 in 2022. This figure is likely even higher today. And the area’s business composition and infrastructure needs have evolved dramatically, officials say.
Likewise, the county’s subdivision regulations, which help to determine how residential developments are designed and engineered, were last written in 1999. They have been revised periodically to keep up with state regulation, but “are in desperate need of an update,” said County Commission Chair Cory Kirsch at a November meeting.
The county received a $50,000 community development block grant last year to support the bulk of the expense of the new policy’s development. Of Great West Engineering’s $65,000 contract, the county will pay the remaining balance.
At its Feb. 13 meeting, the Planning Board agreed to develop a community survey that will be distributed to county residents by April. The survey likely will ask residents what they like about living in the county, what they think needs improvement and how they feel about the need for residential and commercial development.
The Planning Board and Great West Engineering will combine the survey results with updated socioeconomic data and GIS mapping of land use, residential patterns and more to produce a draft growth policy, which will be presented and discussed at three open houses across the county, likely this spring and summer. Feedback from the open houses will inform the final draft, which would be presented to the County Commission.
Jerry Grebenc, Great West Engineering’s senior planner working with the county, advised the Planning Board to “focus on land use, economics, infrastructure & local services. Not only is a growth policy essential for land use, but it’s really important if you have organizations that are going to pursue new grant funds for a new senior home,” for example. Among other things, federal and state grants for community development often require that an updated growth policy be in place, according to Hintz.
“Focus on opportunities and issues, and come up with concrete actions,” Grebenc said. “The most important part of this is an action plan. We want to be sure this plan is achievable. Pick projects the county can get done. You and your residents want to see a result from this project.”
