Fremont County Smart Growth Coalition - Commissioner Scorecard

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Commissioner Scorecard

The objective of this page is to provide a record of Fremont County Commissioners rulings affecting smart growth in Fremont County. As elected officials, their decisions concerning our economy and land use will forever affect our lives and all that we hold dear. The record is compiled from minutes duly approved by the County Commissioners starting in January 2006. It will be updated from time to time as new information becomes available.

Scoring By the Numbers:

	1 Decision - 4% Decision takes a bold step that goes beyond the comprehensive plan’s vision to protect Fremont County’s natural resources, including clean water, scenic views, and wildlife corridors.
	9 Decisions - 36% Decision reflects the comprehensive plan’s vision and uses the development code effectively.
	7 Decisions - 28% Decision ignores or minimizes at least one component of the comprehensive plan’s intent and loosely interprets the development code.
	8 Decisions - 32% Decision is divisive, politically motivated, and not representative of the historical will of the people. Does not conform to the intent of the comprehensive plan and development code.

Date	Action Taken	Score
3-5-2007	SHADOW RIDGE AT STEPHENS RANCH Over riding the P&Z’s concerns about rebuilding Fish Creek Road, single site access, impact upon wildlife, and cost of services, this 179 lot subdivision was unanimously approved.
4-30-2007	ST. ANTHONY IMPACT AREA Unanimous decision to deny expansion of impact area to accommodate lollipop connection to the proposed Little Rivers Subdivision.
6-11-2007	LOOSLI LESA AMENDMENT Over the County’s Prosecuting Attorney objections, Loosli LESA Amendment, Ordnance 2007–3 is passed unanimously.
1-22-2008	-By split vote with Hurt objecting, Loosli LESA Amendment is repealed.
	-Consensus agreement that developments submitted under Loosli LESA have vested rights and must be processed in accordance with amendment.
4-16-2007	GUNBARREL AT SHOTGUN VILLAGES -Unanimously upheld P&Z’s decision to deny approval, but made a de facto amendment to the development code that a developer need only bring roads up to current county standards “as far as reasonably possible.”
	-Using the “Gunbarrel Rule,” the developer resubmitted his application and gained approval using an access road with a 30 ft. right of way instead of 60 ft. required by current county standards.
6-11-2007	BILLS ISLAND WOODLAND SUBDIVISION Unanimously reverses P&Z’s decision to deny the development that was based upon public health, welfare and safety issues that included a loop road with only one point of access and risk of pollution from mal functioning septic tanks. Gunbarrel Rule applies.
6-25-2007	VACATING MORRISON STREET Upheld Planning and Zoning Commission’s denial of request that would close public access to Henry’s Fork.
6-11-2007	SPLITTING THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION Hurt’s motion to split P&Z into separate Planning and Zoning commissions passes unanimously.
12-10-2007	Hurt’s motion to enter into a contract with Elam & Burke for legal services in the amount of $6,000 is passed unanimously.
2-11-2008	Without taking formal action, decision is made not to split P&Z.
10-15-2007	BUILDING IN A FLOOD PLAIN Motion to reverse P&Z”s denial of a permit to build a house in a flood plain is unanimously approved.
7-16-2007	RIVERS EDGE DEVELOPMENT Motion to reverse P&Z ruling that the land in question is productive cropland is unanimously approved.
	-with Romrell and Trupp voting for, and Hurt voting against, the commissioners agreed with the P&Z decision that the road could not be moved.
5-21-2008	Trupp’s motion to appeal District Court’s unfavorable ruling to the Supreme Court is passed with a split vote with Hurt voting against.
9-24-2008	Unanimous approval is given to move a section of Fisherman’s Drive in exchange for a scenic overlook on the canyon rim – Gunbarrel rule again applies. Road to the development will receive only minor improvements.
9-10-2007	CENTER COURT BED AND BREAKFAST Unanimously upheld P&Z’s denial of Center Court’s Class II permit to operate a Bed &Breakfast based upon incompatibility with surrounding land use and public safety issues.
2-26-2008	SHORT TERM CABIN RENTAL ORDNANCE After two public hearings and a unanimously approved motion to hold a third public hearing in June or July, 2008 - to date no further action.
3-17-2008	ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Hurt’s motion to accept the Fremont County Economic Strategic Plan as prepared by consultant, Dr. Richard Gardner is unanimously approved.
7-21-2008	Hurt’s motion to dissolve County’s Economic Development Department is unanimously approved.
8-12-2008	GOLDEN SANDS RV RESORT On appeal - unanimously upheld P&Z’s denial of a development due to inconsistencies in master plan, access issues, and no water and sewage disposal.
12-17-2008	COMPREHENSIVE PLAN In a short work session immediately following the Comprehensive Plan public hearing, the updated draft, with minor changes, is unanimously approved. Reason: The revised Plan is an unexpected strengthening of the comp plan that should provide the framework for a stronger Development Code.
10-14-2008	Illegal Splitting of Lots Disclosure of subdivisions created by illegal splitting of lots in violation of the Development Code is discussed for the first time. Commissioners agree that this must stop, but take no formal action. Reason: Development Code is being circumvented. Although commissioners agree that it must be stopped, no formal action is taken.
11-10-2008	Still no formal action taken, but directs the P&Z administrator to draft ordnance defining building on illegal lot splits for Planning and Zoning Commission consideration during their regular January 21, 2009 meeting. Reason: Although the commissioners were unwilling to formally take a position, they moved forward to resolve the issue.