The La Plata County Planning Commission recently held an open house to receive input from the Bayfield community on a new district plan.
The purpose of the meeting was to create a wish list that will help inform a comprehensive plan that incorporates all 12 La Plata County districts. All districts are updating their individual plans, which help identify unique characteristics within that district. These are visionary plans. The actual law is the Land Use Code, which sets regulations and implements goals.
The last Bayfield district plan was created in 1997. Planners are using the old plan as a starting point for feedback.
At the meeting, residents could jot down whether they agree or disagree with the old plan’s seven goals: encourage the retention of agricultural lands and open space, rural atmosphere and lifestyle; encourage a variety of housing densities and commercial development in the appropriate areas; encourage continued lack of pollution; improve visual aspects of the Highway 160 corridor; preserve the riparian areas and the riverfront; preserve a harmonious and mutually beneficial relationship between humans and wildlife habitat; and support the maintenance of infrastructure.
Residents were encouraged to add new ideas as well. Some of the concerns brought up in the meeting included clarification of definitions, such as “open space”; maintaining private property rights; Another issue that was brought up was how the La Plata County Commission doesn’t recognize subdivision covenants.
Some Bayfield community members have been developing their own district plan. They said they were unwilling to share the plan with the Planning Commission at this time.
The comprehensive plan is scheduled to be completed in September. The next meetings are scheduled for April 4, May 2, June 6 and July 11 at 6 p.m. at the County Administration Building, 1101 E. 2nd Ave., Durango. Bayfield is the fifth item on the agenda and will be heard closer to 7:30 p.m. To take a Bayfield District survey, go to surveymonkey.com/r/bayfield_plan. Comments can be submitted to planning@co.laplata.co.us.
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