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Yes, I do.

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Thank you.

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» Okay. Thank you.
>> You're welcome. [clears throat]

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» Bring it up for us.

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Okay.
>> Yeah, sure.

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Make it easy and comfortable for you
guys.

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» Thank you.
Long day for all of us.

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Get the truth there.

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» [clears throat]

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» I don't think you are.
>> You're just

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Don't make me do this.

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questions because

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Okay, it's 9:00, so we'll call the
special meeting of the Madison County

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00:04:38,479 --> 00:04:42,800
Board of Commission. Order. We'll start
with the pledge of allegiance. The

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pledge in the back of the room. Please
join us.

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00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:55,680
Aliance to the flag of the United States
of America to the republic stands. One

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00:04:51,759 --> 00:04:59,560
nation under God
and justice for all

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[clears throat]

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00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:10,000
present. Commissioners are here.

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We uh
this meeting was created as a result of

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the application of the resolution
which

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put before the broken recorder and the
was approved the signatures were valid

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00:05:29,919 --> 00:05:36,880
and the percentage was correct.
So before we start the hearing, I just

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have and some of you have it already,
but I'll read it to you. Public comment

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guidelines.
If you wish to speak, please line up at

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the podium. Before you begin your
comment, state your name and address. If

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you're speaking on behalf of other
people, groups, or entities, please

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state the nature of that representation.
Public comments by those physically

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00:06:00,400 --> 00:06:07,440
present will be heard first, followed by
public comments from those attending

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00:06:05,600 --> 00:06:11,280
virtually.
All comment should be directed to the

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00:06:09,440 --> 00:06:16,240
chairman and commission, not to other
audience members or applicants. You may

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have questions.
Understand that this public hearing is

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not a question and answer session. It's
an opportunity for you to provide public

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comment to the commission on the matter
described in the abcast.

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Speakers are encouraged to support a
previous speaker's comments, but not

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repeat the same comments. If you agree
with what a pre previous speaker has

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00:06:37,680 --> 00:06:44,960
said, simply state you agree with the
comment and move on to the next issue

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you wish to address.
The commission wishes to hear from as

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00:06:46,880 --> 00:06:54,639
many people as possible.
To that end, no person will be permitted

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00:06:52,720 --> 00:07:01,520
to speak a second time until everyone
who wishes to make a public comment has

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00:06:57,280 --> 00:07:06,639
been provided the opportunity to do so.
Do not interrupt others as they are

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speaking. Additionally, there should be
no applause, whistling, cheering, or

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00:07:09,120 --> 00:07:19,199
booing during or after any particular
call. Such conduct is unduly disruptive

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and will not be tolerated.
The purpose of this public hearing is to

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00:07:21,440 --> 00:07:29,840
discuss the federal matters before the
commission and nothing else. Your

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00:07:26,479 --> 00:07:36,000
comments must be limited to this topic.
The commission is not collecting public

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comments or any others.
Once the chairman is closed to public

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comment, no further comments are
received. At that point in time, the

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public has asked the sort of meeting
observed deliberations of the

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commission.
The commission may have questions to

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00:07:49,759 --> 00:07:57,520
confirm what a particular member of the
public said and may ask that member to

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00:07:54,639 --> 00:08:02,879
clarify. However, that does not mean
more comments are received. If members

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of the public continues to disrupt the
commissioner's discussions that a

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00:08:05,440 --> 00:08:18,080
disruptive individual asked the meeting
with that I'll start the public hearing

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00:08:14,639 --> 00:08:24,960
of the chief mountain citizen initiating
zone district at 93.

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I move to incorporate all written
comment to uh the record received since

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the submission of the petition so we can
avoid duplication of effort. Second.

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» Okay. So we have a move to the second
that we record the written comments that

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00:08:38,800 --> 00:08:48,240
we have received so we do not have that
duplication. Any further discussion?

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00:08:45,519 --> 00:08:50,959
Hearing none. I'll call the vote. Mr.
Hi.

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00:08:48,959 --> 00:08:53,519
» Can you speak up so people in the chat
can hear? People in the back can't hear

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00:08:52,959 --> 00:08:57,120
you.
>> Okay. I'm sorry.

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» No.
>> Mr. Gen.

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» Hi. [clears throat]
>> Cherries.

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Okay. May proceed.
>> Thank you. Hello. My name is KS and I'm

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a property owner in Raol Pass as well as
executive director of Preserve Ra Pass,

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a Montana nonprofit 501c3.
My address is 7 Moonwater Lane, Cameron,

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Montana. And today, uh, for purposes of
information, we're talking about the

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Sheep Fountain Citizen Initiated
District, which is in the dark green.

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Everybody can see which one we're
talking about today.

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00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:47,680
First and foremost, thank you
commissioners and county staff for your

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work with the Reynolds Pass community
for over three years on these planning

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and zoning efforts. The proposed citizen
initiated zoning districts in front of

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00:09:54,320 --> 00:10:02,240
you today represent this multi-year
effort by Railsfast property owners for

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to protect their future and their
property. Everyone in this room, those

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joining us online, and those citizens
who couldn't participate today, have a

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00:10:10,560 --> 00:10:16,959
keen interest in their future, their
famil family's future and the future of

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Madison County.
That shared interest is our common

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ground. And there is no better common
ground from which to respectfully

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request that the Madison County
Commissioners approve the Sheep Mountain

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00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:34,959
Citizen Initiated Zoning District CISD
before you today. Due to the similarity

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00:10:32,959 --> 00:10:39,760
of the Rainless Pass area, its rural
residential pattern of development,

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00:10:37,279 --> 00:10:43,760
landscapes, wildlife, water concerns,
and surrounding pressures for commercial

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00:10:41,519 --> 00:10:48,000
development. The data and relevant
comments you hear today regarding Sheep

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00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:52,560
Mountain and the two other CICD in
Rainol's Pass may appear duplicative,

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but the data and comments are true for
each critically loc.

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Each CICD before you today is necessary
for the public interest or convenience,

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as you will hear from much of the public
comment.

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00:11:04,560 --> 00:11:11,839
Consider this. In our lifetime, we've
seen a good deal of change. Farms and

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00:11:09,920 --> 00:11:17,120
ranches use heavy equipment instead of
plow horses and mules. Internet access

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00:11:15,040 --> 00:11:23,519
allows people to work anywhere,
including more desirable rural locations

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00:11:20,079 --> 00:11:29,600
like Madison County. Big Sky sprang from
forested public lands and scrub brush

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00:11:25,680 --> 00:11:34,160
ranches became a skiill community and is
now host to commercial and resort

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00:11:31,519 --> 00:11:38,880
development. Multi-million dollar homes
and movie stars spilling into Madison

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00:11:36,240 --> 00:11:44,640
County. There is no infrastructure to
support this scale of development in

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Randol's past now or in the future.
Montana's population has more than

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doubled from 477,000
in 1945 to 1,144

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694 in 2025.
In our children's lifetime, the greater

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Yellowstone ecosystems population where
Madison County sits at the heart and

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hosts the Missouri headarters is
forecasted to reach between 763,000

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and 846,000
by 2050 to60

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where these people live and the
corresponding impacts to Madison County

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are what is on the table today. Today
you have the opportunity based upon the

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petition of a super majority of citizens
in the sheet mountain cicd to protect

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the agricultural and rural residential
of this area of Reynolds Pass. Reynolds

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Pass is located This is a map of Madison
County. This is Madison Valley and

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Reynolds Pass is located right here. G
is about right there.

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You can tip the scale in favor of the
affected property owner's quality of

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00:12:51,360 --> 00:12:59,360
life by adopting the sheet mountain cisd
which will protect its limited natural

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00:12:56,160 --> 00:13:03,839
resources, water, wildlife, wildlife
habitat, agriculture and open space and

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00:13:02,079 --> 00:13:08,880
sustain our economic drivers of
agriculture, hunting, fishing, and

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00:13:06,399 --> 00:13:14,240
tourism. These are the reasons the sheep
mountain cisd is necessary for the

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00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:20,480
public interest. The Montana legislature
created the CIZ tool in 1953 for

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citizens to petition for zoning. Those
representatives understood the citizens

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00:13:22,399 --> 00:13:29,760
right to and interest in protecting
their property.

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00:13:26,480 --> 00:13:34,000
In an August 13, 2024 public meeting,
the commission said they would like to

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see signatures for zoning. Again, a
super majority of those signatures have

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been provided. Today, the community of
the proposed sheet mount CICD asked the

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commission to adopt this CICD and the
proposed land use planning regulations

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00:13:46,399 --> 00:13:53,839
which protect the existing agricultural
and rural residential development

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pattern existing uses and allow citizens
to request exceptions and to amend the

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00:13:55,760 --> 00:14:02,800
regulations. This is in the public
interest for convenience.

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00:14:00,720 --> 00:14:06,880
The sheet mountain cig and zoning
development pattern and uses clearly

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adhere to and are consistent with the
2025 Madison County policy land use

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objectives. MC3 preserve existing open
space and protect valuable agricultural

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land. MC4 plan for responsible,
reasonable and managed growth and

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development. MC5 protect the public
health and safety of county residents.

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MC6 support zoning efforts. MC7, protect
private property rights. MC8, encourage

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municipal growth versus urban sprawl.
And the 2025 Madison County growth

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policy environment objectives. MC9,
protect wildlife habitat. MC10, preserve

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00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:52,560
natural resources and protect water
resources. MC11 support growth in

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agriculture, forestry, recreation, and
tourism, and small service-based

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businesses in a manner that does not
impact established residential

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communities. Discourage development that
would financially strain public

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services. MC13 support infrastructure
improvements within incorporated and

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unincorporated communities. For these
reasons, among others, the public's

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interest or convenience require adoption
of the sheet mountain cicd and zoning

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00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:23,199
regulations.
The proposed regulations aim to protect

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the rain's past development pattern by
preventing high impact commercial

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business from bringing highdensity human
activity to remote agricultural and

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00:15:29,760 --> 00:15:36,880
rural residential lands in this area
with little to no p public

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00:15:34,240 --> 00:15:40,399
infrastructure. High density development
and corresponding population increase

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00:15:38,800 --> 00:15:44,560
are proven to disrupt wildlife
corridors, increased consumption of

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00:15:42,639 --> 00:15:49,279
limited water resources, and increased
traffic, a public safety hazard. People

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00:15:47,680 --> 00:15:53,680
are attracted to the rural lands and
access to the Madison River available in

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00:15:51,360 --> 00:15:57,199
Reynolds Pass. However, more people in
the banks and in the waters of the

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Madison River and already burdened
fishery is not sustainable. This river,

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00:16:00,079 --> 00:16:06,000
the lifeblood of the Madison Valley,
provides an economic benefit to a wide

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00:16:03,759 --> 00:16:10,240
swath of the county and it is in the
public interest and necessity to protect

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it. It is also in the public interest
and necessity to protect the lands that

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00:16:12,240 --> 00:16:19,759
surround it. Wildfire is top of mind
every year and Reynolds Pass has been

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00:16:16,959 --> 00:16:23,600
fortunate this year. The proposed CICD
and regulations reinforce Madison

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00:16:21,839 --> 00:16:29,360
County's fire hazard mitigation
practices by containing future parcel

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00:16:26,480 --> 00:16:33,680
sizes at 40 acres maintains density
consistent with the current development

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00:16:30,959 --> 00:16:37,360
pattern. Maintaining density at this
level is critical given the limited

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00:16:35,600 --> 00:16:42,079
public resources in this area of the
county and their distance from emergency

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00:16:39,680 --> 00:16:47,440
service providers which is definitely in
the public interest or convenience.

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00:16:45,440 --> 00:16:51,759
The proposed sheet mountain cis
regulations are forward-looking, not

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00:16:49,120 --> 00:16:55,600
retroactive. If adopted, land owners
will not be surprised by disruption of

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00:16:53,519 --> 00:17:01,040
their peaceful enjoyment of their land
by a casino, resort, hotel, or RV park,

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00:16:58,639 --> 00:17:05,520
or other high impact commercial use
completely at odds with the character of

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00:17:02,880 --> 00:17:08,880
this area. The CICD and zoning
regulations will provide a predictable

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00:17:07,439 --> 00:17:13,520
future.
Some of these lands have covenants, many

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00:17:11,280 --> 00:17:19,439
of which prohibit commercial activity,
but may not be effective at addressing

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00:17:15,439 --> 00:17:22,880
the same taxes addressed by the CICD.
Citizens are aware from previous

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00:17:21,199 --> 00:17:26,240
development applications before the
planning board and commissioners that

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00:17:24,640 --> 00:17:30,880
the county cannot be involved in
covenant disputes. Madison County does

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00:17:29,200 --> 00:17:36,080
not currently have tools to address
impacts from land use. It only has

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00:17:33,120 --> 00:17:40,480
authority when subdivision is proposed.
The CICD is a tool to address impacts

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00:17:38,559 --> 00:17:44,799
from land uses that adversely affect
property owners. Another reason why the

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00:17:42,960 --> 00:17:50,320
public interest or convenience require
adoption of the sheep mountain cisd

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00:17:48,559 --> 00:17:54,240
zoning has a long history in this
country to protect public health,

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00:17:52,480 --> 00:17:58,400
safety, and welfare by separating
industrial and residential areas. And

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00:17:56,799 --> 00:18:05,200
there is long-standing precedent for
part one zoning in Montana. We've

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00:18:01,200 --> 00:18:12,240
identified 136 CIZD in Montana. For
reference, 88% of these CIC ZDS do not

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00:18:08,799 --> 00:18:17,120
bear CI, excuse me, CICD levies. And for
those that do, the levies are typically

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00:18:13,919 --> 00:18:21,200
1% of a property's taxable value. With
these zoning regulations, property

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00:18:18,799 --> 00:18:25,360
owners within a CICD have a chance to
protect their property interest. Please

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00:18:23,520 --> 00:18:31,280
do what is clearly in the public
interest or convenience and adopt the

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00:18:27,440 --> 00:18:34,960
sheet mount CICD regulations. Thank you.
And I'm gonna hand a copy to Sarah for

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00:18:33,600 --> 00:18:38,120
the record. Thank you.
>> Thank you.

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00:18:40,880 --> 00:18:48,799
» Good morning. My name is Maline Mason.
My address is 97 Gulliard A Boseman. I'm

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00:18:46,559 --> 00:18:53,120
here at preserve Reynolds Pass. I come
to you today not as a property owner,

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00:18:51,039 --> 00:18:57,280
but simply as a recreator of Madison
County and Reynolds Pass. But I stand

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00:18:55,360 --> 00:19:01,440
before you as part of the Rainol's Pass
community, a community of people who

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00:18:59,280 --> 00:19:05,679
welcomed me in with open arms as I've
joined in their advocacy for protecting

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00:19:03,200 --> 00:19:09,679
their area. Madison County is part of
the greater Yellowstone ecosystem, one

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00:19:07,760 --> 00:19:14,559
of the largest nearly intact tempered
zone ecosystems on Earth. Wildlife

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00:19:12,799 --> 00:19:19,280
flourishes here in a unique and
remarkable fashion. This is meaningful

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00:19:16,880 --> 00:19:23,520
to me as someone who wishes to see much
of the biodiversity today extend into

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00:19:21,679 --> 00:19:27,760
the future of tomorrow and as someone
whose household depends on a freezer

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00:19:25,360 --> 00:19:31,520
full of game come winter. The greater
Yellowstone ecosystem expands outward

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00:19:29,760 --> 00:19:36,400
with Yellowstone National Park as its
core. As the gy expands west into

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00:19:34,160 --> 00:19:40,960
Madison County, the ecosystem blends
into the high divide headarters, an area

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00:19:39,280 --> 00:19:44,799
characterized by vast sagebrush
grasslands unique due to its high

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00:19:43,120 --> 00:19:47,600
elevation.
The high divide provides a vital

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00:19:46,480 --> 00:19:51,760
connection between the greater
Yellowstone ecosystem and broader

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00:19:49,440 --> 00:19:56,799
regions, hosting seasonal migrations of
elk, pong horn, and deer. Each winter,

199
00:19:54,880 --> 00:20:03,280
Madison Valley supports approximately
2,000 pong horn, 9,500 elk, and 1500 mu

200
00:20:00,880 --> 00:20:07,600
deer. These animal summer ranges,
however, are often outside Madison

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00:20:05,440 --> 00:20:11,840
Valley. This is where Reol's Pass is
key. Elk and Pongghorn move south

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00:20:09,760 --> 00:20:16,640
through Madison Valley and Reol's Pass
to access their summer ranges. Reynolds

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00:20:14,480 --> 00:20:21,440
Pass is a low elevation mountain pass
narrowing down to just a mile wide in

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00:20:18,559 --> 00:20:25,360
sections. This narrow but vital point of
connectivity combined with the risk of

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00:20:23,440 --> 00:20:29,840
animal movement bottlenecks from
obstructions such as homes, roadways,

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00:20:27,600 --> 00:20:34,000
and fences makes Reynolds Pass a
critical area to protect.

207
00:20:32,320 --> 00:20:38,240
The land surrounding Reynolds Pass
offers a complex mix of meadows, diverse

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00:20:36,159 --> 00:20:42,960
forest types, productive grassland, and
sage brush rangeand all in close

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00:20:40,480 --> 00:20:46,799
proximity. The Madison, Gravali,
Centennial, and Henry's Lake Mountain

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00:20:44,799 --> 00:20:50,320
ranges come together in the subset of
Madison Valley, making Rean's Pass

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00:20:48,799 --> 00:20:54,480
unique travel corridor through which
species can disperse throughout their

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00:20:52,159 --> 00:20:58,240
historic ranges. In addition to acting
as a travel corridor, Reynolds Pass

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00:20:56,400 --> 00:21:02,640
hosts plentiful habitat, providing
summer range for pong horn and winter

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00:21:00,159 --> 00:21:07,440
range for bigorn sheep. The Madison
County growth policy recognizes Reynolds

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00:21:04,799 --> 00:21:12,320
Pass as prime wildlife habitat and ma
wildlife migration pathways. The policy

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00:21:09,919 --> 00:21:16,400
states, "Residents of the South Madison
enjoy a quiet and rural lifestyle with

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plentiful open space and access to
outdoor recreation." Those residents are

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00:21:18,960 --> 00:21:25,600
here with us today advocating for Sheep
Mountain, CICD, to protect this very

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00:21:23,440 --> 00:21:29,760
quiet rural lifestyle and open space
that benefits both residents and

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wildlife. The zoning district
regulations prohibit commercial

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00:21:31,280 --> 00:21:37,520
development to limit high density
development as an effort to preserve

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open landscapes. Buildings are permitted
on 40 acres to maintain unulate

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movement. In a recent study released by
University of Wyoming in partnership

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with US Fish and Wildlife Service and
multiple other federal and state

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agencies, they studied the use of space
between homes by elk, moose, pong horn,

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and mu deer in rural areas. In doing so,
the researchers were able to identify

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ranges of space between homes that were
too narrow for undisturbed use by

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wildlife. The study concluded that
maintaining spacing between houses

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greater than 500 meters will likely
facilitate unulate movement. While

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placement of home on parcels is a
greatest factor in achieving these

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widths needed to maintain unulant
movement, we can observe that 40 acres

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is a conservative approach to the parcel
size needed. 40 acres in a line results

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in a total distance of 2550 meters. If
those 40 acres were in squares next to

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one another and homes are located on the
outer sides of their parcel, it would

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00:22:31,520 --> 00:22:39,440
roughly roughly be 800 meters between
homes, facilitating the necessary width

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to allow for unimpeded unbulance.
While larger parcel sizes would fully

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00:22:41,360 --> 00:22:48,000
preserve a functional habitat, 40 acres
is a conservative approach that reflects

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the minimum threshold intended to
preserve basic wildlife without imposing

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drastic constraints on land use.
These CICDs allow residents in the

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county to shape how an area grows as
well as protect the land, the culture,

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the water, and the wildlife as it stands
now. These regulations are not to hinder

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00:23:04,080 --> 00:23:10,320
residents and their neighbors, but
rather to uphold a community and its

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values. Montana was coined the last best
place, attributed to vast wilderness and

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sprawling landscapes and sparse
population. While I'd argue Montana is

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still the last best place, I fear we
cannot pretend that growth is not

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coming. The growth is here as we've seen
in places such as Flathead and Gallatin

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County. While Madison County is known
for vast working landscapes and a high

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amount of land and conservation
easements, Madison comm excuse me,

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00:23:34,080 --> 00:23:39,600
Madison County is not immune to the
pressures that these other towns have

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00:23:37,760 --> 00:23:42,799
experienced. This shouldn't come as a
surprise seeing as the infamous

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00:23:41,120 --> 00:23:47,760
Yellowstone Club is located within
Madison County. I urge you to listen to

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00:23:45,600 --> 00:23:52,159
the citizens before you and to create
Sheep Mountain Zoning District to uphold

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the values that Matson County and its
residents stand for. Thank you for your

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00:23:54,400 --> 00:23:57,400
time.

255
00:23:58,080 --> 00:24:05,600
» There Sarah. Thank you.
>> So that I'm clear, is this public

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00:24:03,280 --> 00:24:10,080
comment?
Is [clears throat] it my Okay. Not done

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00:24:07,840 --> 00:24:13,760
this before. I wasn't certain if this is
proper opportunity for me to come up. My

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00:24:12,240 --> 00:24:19,039
name is Philip Waters. I'm a property
owner at to be determined upper S slide

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00:24:15,919 --> 00:24:23,279
rock road. I reside at 6353 Delta Drive
in Churchill, Montana. I've been a

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00:24:20,480 --> 00:24:26,720
resident of Gallatin County since 2012.
My wife and uh four or five of my kids

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00:24:25,360 --> 00:24:31,360
live in the same home in Churchill for
the past 14 years. Not an MSU Bobcat and

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00:24:29,440 --> 00:24:34,400
an Mustang. I'm a Madison Bobcat born
and raised on the other side of on the

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00:24:33,039 --> 00:24:38,320
other Madison County on the other side
of the divide. Bear with me with a small

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00:24:36,960 --> 00:24:43,200
disproportionate amount of time getting
to know me. It is gerine because it

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00:24:40,400 --> 00:24:46,960
relates to the fact that I am an
individual citizen having value values

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00:24:45,360 --> 00:24:51,840
congruent with the community that's in
support of this initiative. But I I do

267
00:24:49,600 --> 00:24:54,159
not support any special interest and I
do not support this initiative.

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00:24:53,417 --> 00:24:58,400
[clears throat]
I believe I'm allied with Amy Omo

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00:24:56,799 --> 00:25:01,919
Honduro's family. I don't know if she's
here or she emailed me just yesterday

270
00:25:00,640 --> 00:25:07,200
where some of us are just getting to
know about this. I don't know if that

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00:25:03,039 --> 00:25:11,039
was her case as well. Um um as for me uh
I I believe they're also adversely

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00:25:08,880 --> 00:25:14,240
affected by this. My grandparents gushed
about their drives around the Norris

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00:25:12,640 --> 00:25:17,520
Hempin West Loop so frequently that I
was well familiar with this area of

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00:25:15,679 --> 00:25:21,120
Montana before I fell in love with the
Madison River when I was 10 years old. I

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00:25:19,360 --> 00:25:24,080
searched my entire adult life to find my
slice of heaven which we found in Sports

276
00:25:22,480 --> 00:25:28,000
Guns Paradise on Slide Rock Road in
2019. I exhausted all of my savings to

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00:25:26,559 --> 00:25:31,679
secure a small patch of dirt for my kids
to inherit. Reserve Reynolds Pass

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00:25:30,320 --> 00:25:35,039
originally proposed that our parks will
be included in the sheet mountain zone.

279
00:25:33,279 --> 00:25:39,279
I attended the online meetings and was
not shy about my skepticism. As of this

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00:25:37,760 --> 00:25:42,159
morning, it remains unclear to me of
whether or not we've been included or

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00:25:40,640 --> 00:25:45,520
have been gerrymandered out of the
region. My recent calculation is that I

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00:25:44,400 --> 00:25:48,880
were included, there would be an
insufficient percentage of land owners

283
00:25:47,200 --> 00:25:52,159
for the initiative to pass. The
initiative, however, would still affect

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00:25:50,400 --> 00:25:55,600
us almost as much as everyone else. The
neighbor immediately to my east, the M

285
00:25:53,919 --> 00:25:58,880
neighbor immediately to the north, and
the forest land to the southeast of our

286
00:25:57,200 --> 00:26:03,360
property are all included in it proposed
map. Um, just to indicate that I believe

287
00:26:01,600 --> 00:26:06,720
I am right here in that little
gerrymandered area that's not included,

288
00:26:05,039 --> 00:26:11,360
but there is a new map online as of
today where the screenshot shows this,

289
00:26:09,039 --> 00:26:14,559
but the actual PDF shows that all of my
neighbors to the west have been included

290
00:26:12,960 --> 00:26:17,919
in this initiative. It is not clear to
me and it has not been clear to me up

291
00:26:16,000 --> 00:26:23,279
until last night whether or not I was
included and whether or not I've been

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00:26:19,200 --> 00:26:29,200
taken out so that it will pass.
Um, I work from my home. Let's see. Um,

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00:26:27,840 --> 00:26:31,760
so I'll be affected by this initiative,
but it's out of my control whether I get

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00:26:30,480 --> 00:26:34,880
a vote. I believe that if I were to
include the denominator, my obsession

295
00:26:33,279 --> 00:26:38,720
might cause a measure to fail, but if I
object, I could be written out of the

296
00:26:36,640 --> 00:26:42,240
boundaries and not be considered. So, I
work for my basement of my home

297
00:26:40,400 --> 00:26:46,000
full-time. I'm also the assistant speech
coach of Manhattan High School. And so,

298
00:26:44,000 --> 00:26:48,799
I'm inspired by the philosophy of a free
America that empowers society,

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00:26:47,600 --> 00:26:53,760
self-governance, and defense of
inalienable human rights like equality.

300
00:26:51,520 --> 00:26:57,679
me. Um, I like to think that my voice
today is as compelling as a

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00:26:54,960 --> 00:27:02,240
well-coordinated political maneuvering,
which this appears to be with respect to

302
00:27:00,159 --> 00:27:05,919
the with the people that are the prisons
of Raml's past. Um, they're very

303
00:27:04,000 --> 00:27:10,480
organized and much more powerful than I
am to a certain extent. Um, in the 1776

304
00:27:08,799 --> 00:27:14,880
pan from Common Sense, Thomas Payne
wrote, "Society is produced by our wants

305
00:27:12,799 --> 00:27:18,400
and governance government by our
wickedness. The natural state of

306
00:27:16,960 --> 00:27:22,559
Reynolds Pass community is a shared
culture having desired to preserve the

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00:27:20,080 --> 00:27:25,919
nature around us. That is a promise
proposed by the preserve ran past

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00:27:24,159 --> 00:27:29,039
initiative. Observe with me that things
are not always what they seem. First, I

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00:27:27,840 --> 00:27:31,760
want to acknowledge the valor of
preserving the land and applaud the

310
00:27:30,320 --> 00:27:35,600
persistence of the organization of Kay
and her supporters. I do not object in

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00:27:33,600 --> 00:27:39,760
principle to what is being presented as
it's being aimed to preserve natural

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00:27:36,880 --> 00:27:43,039
resources. I do find however a paradox a
conflict in how this is achieved. My

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00:27:41,360 --> 00:27:46,799
main point is that while presently I do
not see an imminent threat presented by

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00:27:44,640 --> 00:27:49,919
my neighbors who I love and I find to be
of like thinking, the threat that has

315
00:27:48,400 --> 00:27:52,720
been I've been made to imagine is a
boogeyman corporation with money and

316
00:27:51,440 --> 00:27:57,440
power who would rob my neighborhood of
the peace we enjoy. But what I see is a

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00:27:54,799 --> 00:28:00,480
professionally b branded well-resourced,
connected, and persistent political

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00:27:58,799 --> 00:28:05,120
action group which is constructed to
magnify the voices of support and de

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00:28:02,720 --> 00:28:07,840
diminish the voices of disscent. Between
work, raising my family, and being

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00:28:06,480 --> 00:28:10,159
involved in my community, I do not
always have time to keep a pulse on

321
00:28:09,039 --> 00:28:14,320
what's going on with this initiative.
I'm civically involved. However, and if

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00:28:12,320 --> 00:28:18,960
you have not heard my objections, it
would be because the the the

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00:28:16,469 --> 00:28:23,600
[clears throat] initiative is designed
to redirect those elsewhere or

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00:28:21,600 --> 00:28:26,960
gerrymander me out of the picture. They
do have a comments that they can

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00:28:24,880 --> 00:28:30,480
receive, but those are for support and
awareness of the initiative, which has

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00:28:28,559 --> 00:28:35,039
been persistent these last many many
months. Um, I I'm running short on my

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00:28:33,520 --> 00:28:39,440
time, but the the point that I want to
make is that anything that makes us

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00:28:37,760 --> 00:28:44,799
perceive that we need a government
action to protect us from our neighbors

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00:28:41,440 --> 00:28:50,720
will forever encumber us with legal
bindings that we who wish for freedom

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00:28:47,840 --> 00:28:55,279
will find difficulty escaping over
generations of time. So, I find it

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00:28:52,640 --> 00:28:59,679
ironic that anybody would support it and
and the and the neighbor to my east has

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00:28:57,440 --> 00:29:02,640
said, "But what else can we do?" And I
would suggest that what else we can do

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00:29:01,039 --> 00:29:06,240
is we can wait and see and we can think
about it rather than encumbering

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00:29:04,080 --> 00:29:10,320
ourselves today. And I would suggest
that it's going to take somebody's voice

335
00:29:08,320 --> 00:29:14,159
that has already been in favor of this
to change their mind to buy us some time

336
00:29:12,880 --> 00:29:18,200
so that we can talk about this. And
that's my position. Thank you.

337
00:29:23,840 --> 00:29:34,559
» Good morning. My name is Keith Shine uh
with my wife Barbara Lures in 25 Big Ben

338
00:29:30,159 --> 00:29:39,919
Road in Cameron. Our property is not in
the proposed CICD district, but we're

339
00:29:37,360 --> 00:29:46,000
here to support its passage because we
see such zoning as the only true hope to

340
00:29:43,200 --> 00:29:50,960
protect our property value. We're not
rich people. We've worked and saved all

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00:29:48,720 --> 00:29:56,640
our lives to be able to afford at
retirement a small home on the Madison

342
00:29:53,600 --> 00:30:02,480
Valley. Our life's savings are tied up
in that home. It is our legacy to our

343
00:29:59,520 --> 00:30:06,399
children and it is the entirety of our
legacy.

344
00:30:04,080 --> 00:30:13,039
Our property value is tied to our
immediate development, Sundance Bench.

345
00:30:09,679 --> 00:30:19,440
However, it is also inextricably tied to
Madison Valley. If the rural, agrarian,

346
00:30:16,640 --> 00:30:24,880
and residential character of the valley
changes because of unchecked commercial

347
00:30:21,679 --> 00:30:29,039
development, our property value will
decline and our legacy will be

348
00:30:27,520 --> 00:30:34,080
diminished.
If the Madison River is harmed by

349
00:30:31,440 --> 00:30:40,080
commercial development, our property
value will be decimated.

350
00:30:37,360 --> 00:30:47,600
What if across the river from us there
isn't the driftwater cove RV park but a

351
00:30:44,320 --> 00:30:53,760
threestory Hilton hotel?
Our views will be poisoned.

352
00:30:50,559 --> 00:31:00,080
Where will the hotel get its water from
a depleted Madison River? And if the

353
00:30:57,039 --> 00:31:05,840
river has too little water for fish and
the very tourists the hotel was built to

354
00:31:02,880 --> 00:31:12,399
built for stop coming, what happens to
our property values? If ever, it will

355
00:31:09,360 --> 00:31:18,159
not come back in our lifetime.
The official growth plan for the Madison

356
00:31:14,720 --> 00:31:23,840
Valley recognizes these threats,
identifying Madison County as a quote

357
00:31:21,279 --> 00:31:29,919
recreationist dream for fishing, hiking,
and hunting. It speaks of the quote rich

358
00:31:27,279 --> 00:31:35,279
agricultural landscape with some of the
most notable rivers in the nation. The

359
00:31:33,120 --> 00:31:41,120
guiding principles of the growth plan
are to preserve open space, protect

360
00:31:38,320 --> 00:31:46,480
wildlife habitat, preserve natural
resources, specifically water, and to

361
00:31:44,080 --> 00:31:53,039
respect our agricultural and rural
character. The goals of that growth plan

362
00:31:49,679 --> 00:31:57,600
recognize the need to support zoning
efforts.

363
00:31:54,799 --> 00:32:03,760
The goals of preserve rentals pass are
completely consistent with the growth

364
00:32:00,320 --> 00:32:11,919
plan. We want the same things. The
proposed 150 space RV park on Highway 87

365
00:32:08,000 --> 00:32:18,240
was just the first sold over our bow.
There will be more threats, larger ones

366
00:32:15,360 --> 00:32:25,120
coming with regularity and we as
citizens can't be expected to fight them

367
00:32:20,960 --> 00:32:30,240
peace meal. We need governance.
We need protection of zoning. Given

368
00:32:28,559 --> 00:32:37,120
current and projected growth of the
Madison Valley, the fact that we have no

369
00:32:33,200 --> 00:32:42,399
zoning is both willfully blind and
shameful.

370
00:32:38,880 --> 00:32:48,039
Please pass the zoning districts. Please
protect our home. Thank you.

371
00:32:58,960 --> 00:33:08,880
I'm uh first going to speak for Montana
Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. I'm not a

372
00:33:07,279 --> 00:33:14,799
employee of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.
I'm an ameritus professor from MSU who's

373
00:33:12,080 --> 00:33:20,399
run the fish and wildlife program uh for
the last 20 years up there and has

374
00:33:17,440 --> 00:33:24,559
trained most or many of the natural
resource professionals and state

375
00:33:22,159 --> 00:33:26,880
wildlife biologists. Um
>> what's your name?

376
00:33:25,519 --> 00:33:29,200
» In state,
>> what's your name?

377
00:33:28,480 --> 00:33:33,679
» State your name.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm I'm Dr. Robert

378
00:33:31,360 --> 00:33:40,880
Garrett.
I'm also a resident of of the Reynolds

379
00:33:37,279 --> 00:33:48,240
Pass area and I I'll speak as a resident
after I've um spoke with uh representing

380
00:33:45,360 --> 00:33:53,120
fish, wildlife, and parks. So, they
provided two letters in it for this

381
00:33:50,640 --> 00:34:01,200
initiative for the the various zoning
districts. The first letter was written

382
00:33:55,919 --> 00:34:06,559
uh and sent um you August 15, 2025, and
it was signed by Dr. Kelly Profett,

383
00:34:03,600 --> 00:34:09,760
who's the region three supervisor. I'm
not going to read all the letter because

384
00:34:08,079 --> 00:34:14,560
some of it doesn't pertain to your
decisions today. I'm just going to read

385
00:34:11,919 --> 00:34:17,560
the uh the pertinent first first
paragraph.

386
00:34:18,800 --> 00:34:25,040
Okay. Dear Madison County Commissioners,
Attorney, and Director of Planning,

387
00:34:23,200 --> 00:34:29,919
thank you for the opportunity to comment
on the wildlife values of the proposed

388
00:34:27,520 --> 00:34:34,079
Reynolds Pass zoning districts. The
Sheep Mountain proposed zoning district

389
00:34:32,240 --> 00:34:38,399
holds important wildlife values and
therefore Montana Fish, Wildlife, and

390
00:34:35,839 --> 00:34:44,079
Parks supports the proposed zoning
districts. The Reynolds Pass area is

391
00:34:41,280 --> 00:34:50,240
important geographically. It provides an
open and grassy lower elevation access

392
00:34:46,639 --> 00:34:55,359
over the Continental Divide bounded by
steep mountains and forested hills.

393
00:34:53,359 --> 00:35:01,920
These natural features make it an
attractive border for unullet migrating

394
00:34:57,680 --> 00:35:07,520
to summer cabing and spawning ranges and
recent research has demonstrated the

395
00:35:04,880 --> 00:35:12,640
importance of this area for migratory
elk and throng horn. Although we have

396
00:35:10,320 --> 00:35:17,599
not yet been able to collar mu deer in
this area, we suspect that they would

397
00:35:15,359 --> 00:35:23,040
show similar migratory pathways.
Migratory behavior is an important life

398
00:35:20,480 --> 00:35:30,720
history component of the wildlife in
this area. And attached to this letter

399
00:35:27,119 --> 00:35:36,079
are several maps of the the pong horn
and elk migrations through the Reynolds

400
00:35:32,960 --> 00:35:43,160
Pass area to support the statements that
that Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks um

401
00:35:39,280 --> 00:35:43,160
has made in this letter.

402
00:35:43,200 --> 00:35:52,480
Um, that's all I need to do to represent
Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. And

403
00:35:50,000 --> 00:35:58,880
now I'd just like to make a a personal
statement as a resident of the Reynolds

404
00:35:54,560 --> 00:36:04,320
Pass area. My address is 75 uh Highway
287 South Cameron.

405
00:36:02,560 --> 00:36:09,119
When my wife and I were looking for a
place to put down our roots 45 years

406
00:36:06,320 --> 00:36:14,480
ago, we spent yet several years looking
for a small plot of land to build a home

407
00:36:12,079 --> 00:36:19,520
in western Montana where we've been
living for the past 10 years, primarily

408
00:36:17,040 --> 00:36:23,280
in the Bitterroot Valley. But we've been
watching the rapid conversion of one

409
00:36:21,359 --> 00:36:28,000
ranch after the other into housing
developments and commercial enterprises

410
00:36:26,000 --> 00:36:33,359
that we feared would change the rural
agricultural character of the valley. So

411
00:36:30,640 --> 00:36:37,680
after several years of of looking, we
turned our attention to the upper

412
00:36:35,359 --> 00:36:42,560
Madison Valley where we had some family
and some friends. The valley offered

413
00:36:40,560 --> 00:36:47,520
everything we were looking for. Ready
access to public lands and waters,

414
00:36:45,119 --> 00:36:53,680
abundant fish and wildlife, open
agricultural landscapes, and welcoming

415
00:36:50,640 --> 00:36:58,640
neighbors, but not too many of them. We
purchased 20 acres in the Reynolds Pass

416
00:36:55,839 --> 00:37:05,119
area, built a modest home over several
years, moved in and started our family

417
00:37:01,760 --> 00:37:09,920
at the Andis Hospital in 1986.
Educational opportunities and developing

418
00:37:07,599 --> 00:37:15,920
careers forced us to become nomadic for
about 10 years. Uh, but we were finally

419
00:37:12,800 --> 00:37:20,960
able to uh settle in southwestern
Montana in 19 permanently in 1994.

420
00:37:20,780 --> 00:37:25,920
» [clears throat]
>> Madison Valley is a special place that

421
00:37:22,960 --> 00:37:31,520
has for the most part escaped the rapid
and mostly uncontrolled development that

422
00:37:28,640 --> 00:37:36,480
has dramatically changed the characters
of other Montana valleys like Flatheads,

423
00:37:34,400 --> 00:37:41,599
Bitterroot, Paradise, and more recently
the Gallop valleys. But it seems Montana

424
00:37:39,760 --> 00:37:45,200
is now on the map. folks that are
seeking to escape more urban

425
00:37:43,119 --> 00:37:49,200
environments
and the valley's ranchers, rural

426
00:37:47,520 --> 00:37:55,680
residents, and wildlife are going to
have to share um the valley and its

427
00:37:52,960 --> 00:38:01,280
resources with more people. Change is
inevitable and we're not opposed to

428
00:37:58,079 --> 00:38:05,520
developing and new folks moving in. In
fact, we are newcomers um compared to

429
00:38:03,760 --> 00:38:10,240
the valley's ranchers, many of which
have been in the in the valley for many

430
00:38:07,920 --> 00:38:14,240
generations. But we want to see the
valley maintained

431
00:38:12,320 --> 00:38:19,280
of at least the mountains path area
maintained in its rural agricultural

432
00:38:16,960 --> 00:38:24,400
character while accommodating more
people and an expanding economy. The

433
00:38:22,400 --> 00:38:29,440
beauty of valley, the open spaces,
abundant fish and wildlife and unlimited

434
00:38:27,119 --> 00:38:34,000
recreational opportunities are cherished
by most of the residents of the valley

435
00:38:32,000 --> 00:38:38,160
and desired by those who want to become
the residents.

436
00:38:36,160 --> 00:38:42,400
My family doesn't want to see the valley
lose those attributes over the coming

437
00:38:40,160 --> 00:38:47,119
decades because of uncontrolled
development and neither do a lot of our

438
00:38:44,560 --> 00:38:52,560
neighbors in the spass area that have
put time, money, and energy over the

439
00:38:49,599 --> 00:38:56,560
past three years developing the citizen
zoning initiatives we are considering

440
00:38:54,880 --> 00:39:00,640
here today.
The proposed zoning districts are modest

441
00:38:58,560 --> 00:39:05,359
and are generally less restrictive than
many of the subdivision covenants we

442
00:39:03,040 --> 00:39:09,839
reviewed when we were searching the
valley for our home. The valley is a

443
00:39:08,000 --> 00:39:15,839
wonderful place to live and work because
of the people that have lived here have

444
00:39:12,160 --> 00:39:20,960
taken care of it. As as more people move
in and development pressures increase,

445
00:39:18,400 --> 00:39:25,920
it is important for the county to help
moderate and direct future development

446
00:39:24,079 --> 00:39:31,760
so that we don't become yet another
bitter root or flathead valley and lose

447
00:39:28,800 --> 00:39:36,000
what we all cherish in this place. I
encourage you to support the citizen

448
00:39:33,520 --> 00:39:40,800
zoning petition you are considering
today to help continue the legacy of the

449
00:39:38,320 --> 00:39:46,839
longtime residents of the valley that
have given us what we enjoy here today.

450
00:39:43,599 --> 00:39:46,839
Thank you.

451
00:40:02,320 --> 00:40:07,680
» Good morning, commissioners, and thank
you for listening to my comments today.

452
00:40:05,680 --> 00:40:12,000
My name is Samantha Arbagas. My husband
and I are property owners in Rainol's

453
00:40:09,520 --> 00:40:17,359
Pass and I am also a board member with
Preserve Rains Pass.

454
00:40:14,320 --> 00:40:20,640
There are many reasons
we should all do the right thing and

455
00:40:18,880 --> 00:40:24,800
plan growth more thoughtfully in this
area, but I will speak to just one.

456
00:40:22,800 --> 00:40:29,680
Montana's citizen initiated zoning
statutes were created by the legislature

457
00:40:27,680 --> 00:40:33,520
so the people could petition for zoning
to assist in protecting their property

458
00:40:31,520 --> 00:40:39,520
and have input as to what development
occurs around them. State statutes

459
00:40:37,280 --> 00:40:43,599
uh statute states that zoning must be in
public interest or convenience. There's

460
00:40:41,839 --> 00:40:47,920
no denying that promoting public health
and safety and general welfare meets

461
00:40:45,520 --> 00:40:51,680
that requirement. The purpose and intent
of our zoning district and zoning

462
00:40:49,760 --> 00:40:55,520
regulation are to protect public health
and safety, a compelling governmental

463
00:40:53,839 --> 00:40:59,680
interest by guiding growth and
development in the area. The primary

464
00:40:58,000 --> 00:41:03,599
land management goal is to provide
reasonable guardrails to prevent

465
00:41:01,280 --> 00:41:07,359
commercial development from encroaching
through Madison Valley's gateway in the

466
00:41:05,440 --> 00:41:12,000
south and spreading through agricultural
and resident rural residential lands.

467
00:41:10,240 --> 00:41:17,680
Commercial and highdensity development
brings more people. More people equals

468
00:41:14,960 --> 00:41:22,560
more emergencies and a greater need for
response by fire, ambulance, and police.

469
00:41:20,560 --> 00:41:27,359
This affects public health and safety
and places additional demands on Madison

470
00:41:24,800 --> 00:41:32,400
County's already limited services to an
area over an hour away. There are no

471
00:41:29,760 --> 00:41:36,800
manned fire stations in Madison County.
There are no volunteers assigned at fire

472
00:41:34,640 --> 00:41:42,160
station 2 located in Rain's Pass on
Highway 287. This means all emergency

473
00:41:39,839 --> 00:41:45,920
response has to come from Enis, a
distance of 45 to 48 miles when

474
00:41:44,560 --> 00:41:49,920
considering the boundaries of Sheet
Mountain District.

475
00:41:48,160 --> 00:41:54,240
Madison Valley Medical Center currently
has two ambulances assigned to the

476
00:41:51,599 --> 00:41:58,400
entire val valley. Often one ambulance
will provide patient transport to other

477
00:41:56,079 --> 00:42:02,960
areas, which then only leaves one
ambulance to respond to emergencies. If

478
00:42:00,960 --> 00:42:07,599
a call came in from Reynolds Pass, the
total response time could be two hours

479
00:42:04,960 --> 00:42:11,680
or more and may critically impact the
rest of the citizens of the valley. I've

480
00:42:10,160 --> 00:42:15,280
heard that at times there may be only
one active ambulance for the entire

481
00:42:13,520 --> 00:42:19,920
valley while the other is out for
repairs and maintenance. Police response

482
00:42:17,920 --> 00:42:23,200
is variable and impossible to predict
because deputies are mobile and the

483
00:42:21,440 --> 00:42:29,599
sheriff's office in Virginia City is
58.3 miles from the edge of proposed

484
00:42:26,319 --> 00:42:34,319
sheet mountain cis orders.
Long response times are a risk to public

485
00:42:31,680 --> 00:42:38,240
health and safety in Rain's Pass. Summer
traffic, wildlife, weather, and road

486
00:42:36,400 --> 00:42:43,200
conditions can further already slow
response times and create additional

487
00:42:40,480 --> 00:42:46,319
dangers for first responders. Adding
commercial development with the

488
00:42:44,560 --> 00:42:51,200
associated increase in people and
activities exacerbates this concern for

489
00:42:48,640 --> 00:42:55,760
public safety. More fire department
responses to the area is also a strain

490
00:42:53,520 --> 00:42:59,359
on the volunteer firefighters who have
jobs, families, and commitments.

491
00:42:58,109 --> 00:43:04,079
[clears throat] Highdensity remote
development significantly increases cost

492
00:43:01,520 --> 00:43:08,079
to the county, i.e. taxpayers in the
form of maintenance, repair, and

493
00:43:05,520 --> 00:43:12,960
replacement of emergency vehicles. On
August 13, 2025, the Horn Fire burned

494
00:43:10,880 --> 00:43:17,599
3,000 acres of grassland and was a
glaring example of how quickly fires can

495
00:43:15,359 --> 00:43:22,400
become catastrophic during red flag
extreme fire weather. Emergency crews

496
00:43:20,480 --> 00:43:27,040
responded from Madison County, Gallatin
County, Island Park, DNR, US Forest

497
00:43:24,720 --> 00:43:31,599
Service, as well as deputy sheriffs and
ambulance. Had this fire jumped the

498
00:43:29,280 --> 00:43:35,839
highway into the residential area, which
it came very close to doing, the outcome

499
00:43:33,520 --> 00:43:39,839
would have been tragic. With this level
of response, it left little to no

500
00:43:37,440 --> 00:43:43,839
coverage for the rest of the county. The
following day, on August 14th, a

501
00:43:41,760 --> 00:43:47,760
lightning strike started yet another
fast-moving fire in Norris Hill, and

502
00:43:46,079 --> 00:43:51,839
crews were then quickly pulled from one
site to the other.

503
00:43:50,000 --> 00:43:55,920
Another example is when Bob Glassman
experienced a severe medical emergency

504
00:43:53,520 --> 00:44:00,160
in his Mile Creek home and nearly died
due to a 90-minute response time. Simply

505
00:43:58,720 --> 00:44:04,480
stated, there are limited health and
safety resources available to these

506
00:44:02,160 --> 00:44:08,960
remote areas, and the distance is too
great to support increased commercial

507
00:44:06,160 --> 00:44:13,200
development. In Madison County's updated
growth policy, it states, "Protect the

508
00:44:11,359 --> 00:44:18,640
public health and safety of county
residents, support zoning efforts, and

509
00:44:16,160 --> 00:44:23,280
specific to Rain's pass, it notes,
support zoning efforts, preserve

510
00:44:20,640 --> 00:44:28,319
existing open space, preserve wildlife,
preserve natural resources. Purpose and

511
00:44:25,920 --> 00:44:32,960
intent of these two CIZDS are to guide
growth and development which are clearly

512
00:44:31,119 --> 00:44:39,920
in both the public interest and
convenience. I I ask you to support and

513
00:44:36,720 --> 00:44:45,079
pass the CIDs CDs as presented because
we have met the statutory requirement.

514
00:44:41,920 --> 00:44:45,079
Thank you.

515
00:44:47,359 --> 00:44:50,520
» Thank you.

516
00:44:52,080 --> 00:44:54,100
» [clears throat]

517
00:44:55,200 --> 00:45:04,000
» My name is Larry Ray. I live at 42 Elles
Ranch Road in Cameron. So I'm not part

518
00:45:01,760 --> 00:45:09,680
of the specific
zoning districts, but if I was, I would

519
00:45:07,200 --> 00:45:13,920
uh I would welcome it. I didn't do a
prepared monologue. I mean, there's a

520
00:45:11,920 --> 00:45:18,800
lot more eloquent speakers in terms of
fire and water and wildlife and, you

521
00:45:17,359 --> 00:45:24,480
know, people that have much more
knowledge. What I will say is that I'd

522
00:45:20,880 --> 00:45:29,359
ask you guys and the commission to
envision what happens to the valley if

523
00:45:26,880 --> 00:45:34,560
we don't try to understand and control
growth or at least try to preserve what

524
00:45:31,839 --> 00:45:38,319
we have up there and if we don't
implement some kind of breaks from

525
00:45:36,640 --> 00:45:43,359
what's going on or some kind of guard
rails which we all accept. We all have

526
00:45:40,319 --> 00:45:48,560
to get our septics
approved. We we want to control wild

527
00:45:46,240 --> 00:45:54,720
weeds. We can't just build a house on
the river. I mean, we allow uh society

528
00:45:51,839 --> 00:45:59,040
to impose constraints on us to protect
things that society deems important.

529
00:45:57,200 --> 00:46:04,240
What I see is that we've got a group of
people that live in the area that have

530
00:46:01,680 --> 00:46:08,720
come to you of their own initiative and
their own time and their own work and

531
00:46:05,920 --> 00:46:14,079
have asked you to consider putting some
reasonable guard rails on what's going

532
00:46:10,720 --> 00:46:19,280
on in the southern Madison Valley. This
isn't about government control because,

533
00:46:17,040 --> 00:46:25,280
you know, pure private property is a
myth. We all pay taxes. We all rely on

534
00:46:22,480 --> 00:46:29,839
federal highways and federal systems. We
we rely on water projects at the federal

535
00:46:27,760 --> 00:46:36,800
governments. We're we're already in it
together. And if we want to preserve

536
00:46:33,599 --> 00:46:40,720
what we have in that valley, if we don't
do anything, then I would ask you to

537
00:46:38,720 --> 00:46:44,560
articulate what your vision is for what
happens to the southern end of the

538
00:46:42,160 --> 00:46:50,160
valley. I think I think what we see
right now is that that's not going to be

539
00:46:46,240 --> 00:46:55,359
a pretty picture. But I would ask you to
approve this and and at least put some

540
00:46:52,880 --> 00:47:02,079
guard rails in place that are reasonable
and and are not overly prohibitive and

541
00:46:58,560 --> 00:47:07,440
ex and allow um you know allow some
thoughtful uh constraints on what we

542
00:47:04,960 --> 00:47:12,000
what we do in that portion of the valley
while not limiting people that want to

543
00:47:09,520 --> 00:47:16,319
build a home or newcomers coming to the
valley. In the absence of that, I would

544
00:47:14,880 --> 00:47:22,240
challenge you to tell us what your
vision is. If you just arbitrarily say

545
00:47:19,440 --> 00:47:26,560
this is no good, give us give us a path
forward to help protect what we consider

546
00:47:24,960 --> 00:47:31,839
and we're all standing here and deem
being important. If you just reject it

547
00:47:29,119 --> 00:47:36,480
out of hand without some alternative or
without some vision and you and you say

548
00:47:34,240 --> 00:47:40,400
to us that we're going to wait until the
valley's fully developed before we

549
00:47:38,160 --> 00:47:48,319
develop a plan that seems unacceptable
to me. So in the absence of uh adopting

550
00:47:45,359 --> 00:47:52,960
something, provide us a proposal if if
in fact you don't think this is the

551
00:47:50,480 --> 00:47:58,160
right way to go. Because I think we can
all agree that this isn't the world of

552
00:47:56,000 --> 00:48:02,480
30 years ago. It's not the world of 40
years ago. It's the world today. And

553
00:48:00,319 --> 00:48:09,359
this this area is changing and growing
quite fast. And it would it would seem

554
00:48:06,000 --> 00:48:15,280
to me logical that we we get in front of
that and our medicine says that uh you

555
00:48:12,960 --> 00:48:19,520
know cure a prevention is better than a
cure.

556
00:48:16,800 --> 00:48:24,559
You know growth is the philosophy of a
cancer. So somewhere in the middle you

557
00:48:22,720 --> 00:48:28,880
know we need a plan. We need to have
some belief that you know that we're

558
00:48:27,200 --> 00:48:33,599
going to protect what we all moved here
for what's important to us. So my

559
00:48:31,440 --> 00:48:38,559
challenge to you is, you know, in the
absence of supporting this by the people

560
00:48:35,599 --> 00:48:43,119
who came here, did all the work argued
that this is what they want. If if

561
00:48:41,599 --> 00:48:49,280
you're not in support of that, give us a
vision of what you are in support of.

562
00:48:45,359 --> 00:48:55,359
I'd also suggest that doing nothing uh
is a decision in itself and not a very

563
00:48:51,599 --> 00:48:59,280
good one. That's all I have to say. I
guess the last thing is I, you know, I

564
00:48:57,040 --> 00:49:03,359
strongly support the initiative. I'm not
part of it. If I was, I'd still strongly

565
00:49:01,520 --> 00:49:07,319
support it.
Okay. Thank you.

566
00:49:13,839 --> 00:49:21,119
Greetings. Good morning. I'm Linda
Owens. I wear a few different hats. um

567
00:49:19,359 --> 00:49:28,079
project director for the Madison Valley
Ranchline Group, which is a locally led

568
00:49:24,400 --> 00:49:34,319
nonprofit uh supporting keeping ranching
viable, egg viable in the Madison

569
00:49:30,880 --> 00:49:41,200
Valley. It's also means that we tried to
work together to keep our wildlife

570
00:49:36,559 --> 00:49:46,160
connectivity improvement. Um in the last
few years, we've tried to also become

571
00:49:43,680 --> 00:49:51,920
more of try to net the community
together. Uh we work with the river

572
00:49:49,760 --> 00:49:57,359
foundation. We all are here for one
reason or another. We love this place is

573
00:49:54,319 --> 00:50:01,839
the key I would say for most of us.
There are those of us that are just in

574
00:49:59,280 --> 00:50:07,280
it for the money. We're just buying lots
or whatever as investments.

575
00:50:05,440 --> 00:50:11,839
So I will work backwards from what
everyone is saying. I'm not reading from

576
00:50:09,040 --> 00:50:16,240
my notes. I had eye surgery yesterday so
I still can't read well. Pat Todd will

577
00:50:14,240 --> 00:50:20,480
help me with that part. But I just want
to say that

578
00:50:18,559 --> 00:50:25,280
we're looking at this is citizen
initiated. But let's go to the other

579
00:50:22,480 --> 00:50:30,640
side of this which is where just this
last year we had talk about this being

580
00:50:28,319 --> 00:50:36,480
the corridor
for an interstate.

581
00:50:33,520 --> 00:50:42,800
How will that impact us? Everybody's
going to have a say on that, too. So,

582
00:50:40,319 --> 00:50:47,040
I'm just saying that change is
inevitable, but that doesn't mean that

583
00:50:44,800 --> 00:50:50,160
we stand back. It's like it's like
trying to work cattle in a corral and

584
00:50:48,640 --> 00:50:54,640
just opening the gates and let them go
wherever. You want to be able to sort

585
00:50:53,119 --> 00:50:59,440
them out and get them where you want
them. Otherwise, you've got chaos and a

586
00:50:57,119 --> 00:51:04,400
wasted day. Well, we don't need a wasted
valley.

587
00:51:00,960 --> 00:51:08,720
Um, I'm very very proud of this group up
there and the C community whether

588
00:51:06,400 --> 00:51:14,480
they're for or against it. They're
showing up. They're interacting.

589
00:51:11,440 --> 00:51:20,800
In the early 2000s, North Meadow Creek
out of Mallister, we tried to do uh

590
00:51:17,119 --> 00:51:26,480
citizen initiated zoning. We got shot
down after three years of working really

591
00:51:23,119 --> 00:51:32,800
hard. So, but what I will say was very
few of them were local people. It was

592
00:51:29,920 --> 00:51:38,480
people coming in from out of the county,
some of them out of the state

593
00:51:35,520 --> 00:51:43,520
having a say in our future and how we
were able to live there. So, please keep

594
00:51:41,280 --> 00:51:48,240
your minds open and realize that the
majority of these people care so much

595
00:51:45,599 --> 00:51:51,599
about where they live and change is
constant. If we say, "Well, it's too

596
00:51:50,400 --> 00:51:57,760
late."
I remember when I was on the planning

597
00:51:53,599 --> 00:52:02,720
board and uh Lonesome Dove came in and
it wasn't even addressed

598
00:52:00,559 --> 00:52:06,480
logically. Everybody laughed that lived
here in the county because they said who

599
00:52:04,319 --> 00:52:10,240
in their right mind would live there.
Well, you go down there and look at who

600
00:52:08,480 --> 00:52:15,520
in their right mind lives there. They
may not be in their right mind, but that

601
00:52:11,920 --> 00:52:20,960
place is very full of people. So, I'm
going to let Pat come up and read this

602
00:52:18,720 --> 00:52:26,559
part of it. I apologize. I cannot read.
This is Pat Todd. She is National Parks

603
00:52:23,200 --> 00:52:31,920
Conservation and she is also part of a
group that I am just a member in called

604
00:52:29,200 --> 00:52:37,200
Madison Passages which is trying to
address the increased traffic through

605
00:52:33,839 --> 00:52:42,880
the Madison Valley from where it meets
at 87 comes to 287

606
00:52:40,160 --> 00:52:48,480
and we're trying to find ways to solve
and keep our wildlife in the valley.

607
00:52:46,559 --> 00:52:52,400
Thank you.
>> Thanks, Linda. My name is Pat Todd. I

608
00:52:50,800 --> 00:52:56,480
work in this valley and I'm part of
Madison Passages. Um, speaking for

609
00:52:54,880 --> 00:52:59,760
Madison Passages, we support the
adoption of the proposed citizen

610
00:52:58,079 --> 00:53:04,880
initiated zoning districts in the
Reynolds Pass area. We are a community

611
00:53:02,480 --> 00:53:09,839
partnership working to improve safety um
for people and wildlife. As Linda said,

612
00:53:07,680 --> 00:53:14,160
and um we know that Reynolds Pass is
identified by Montana Fish Wildlife and

613
00:53:11,680 --> 00:53:17,520
Parks as critical wildlife linkage
connecting Henry's Lake Flats and the

614
00:53:16,160 --> 00:53:22,960
Madison Valley and surrounding
ecosystems. Alk meal, deer, pong horn,

615
00:53:20,559 --> 00:53:27,440
moose, and bears and other species rely
on movement routes through their daily

616
00:53:25,200 --> 00:53:31,440
and seasonal habitat to access forage
and breeding areas. And maintaining

617
00:53:29,520 --> 00:53:35,760
these connections is really vital to the
long-term health of our wildlife

618
00:53:32,960 --> 00:53:40,559
populations. So, as development pressure
increases, habitat fragmentation and

619
00:53:37,839 --> 00:53:44,800
increment activity can disrupt this
movement of wildlife, reducing

620
00:53:42,480 --> 00:53:49,440
connectivity of habitat and affect the
wildlife collision risks on the highway.

621
00:53:47,440 --> 00:53:54,160
Collisions with wildlife pose safety
risk to motorists, create economic costs

622
00:53:51,760 --> 00:53:57,839
for folks in the valley, and result in
wildlife mortality. So protecting

623
00:53:56,160 --> 00:54:01,520
Reynolds Pass is a key pathway for
wildlife will be important part to any

624
00:53:59,839 --> 00:54:05,359
solutions aimed at reducing the
collisions and maintaining the wildlife

625
00:54:03,760 --> 00:54:08,880
connectivity.
We know that the Madison County growth

626
00:54:07,040 --> 00:54:12,800
policy recognizes the importance of
preserving wildlife habitat and

627
00:54:10,800 --> 00:54:18,079
migration corridors and that the
proposed CICDs are consistent with those

628
00:54:15,920 --> 00:54:22,160
goals and reflect the communitydriven
effort to balance future development

629
00:54:20,160 --> 00:54:26,720
with the protection of the area's
heritage and wildlife resources. Madison

630
00:54:25,119 --> 00:54:30,240
Passages believes that maintaining
connectivity in Reynolds Pass is in the

631
00:54:28,480 --> 00:54:34,000
public interest. that protecting
migration corridors and connected

632
00:54:32,000 --> 00:54:38,480
habitat today will help our efforts to
further reduce wildlife vehicle

633
00:54:36,160 --> 00:54:41,680
collisions um while supporting wildlife
passage. So, we appreciate the

634
00:54:40,319 --> 00:54:45,760
significant effort that local land
owners and community members have

635
00:54:43,200 --> 00:54:50,240
invested in developing developing these
proposals and respectfully encourage the

636
00:54:48,640 --> 00:54:56,680
county commissioners to adopt the
proposed citizen initiated zone

637
00:54:52,079 --> 00:54:56,680
districts. Thank you for your time.

638
00:54:59,839 --> 00:55:07,200
Good morning. My name is Lisa Roberts.
Um uh I don't live in Reynolds Pass. I

639
00:55:05,200 --> 00:55:13,359
actually live in town on a small plot
there. Um I'm just I just wanted to make

640
00:55:09,920 --> 00:55:19,839
a few comments about um zoning being a
tool. Um in Nis we have seen u our

641
00:55:18,079 --> 00:55:26,079
zoning code has not been updated since
1996. And we have seen where uh not

642
00:55:23,920 --> 00:55:32,240
having zoning zoning or an updated
zoning um can lead to issues. Um zoning

643
00:55:30,160 --> 00:55:34,640
is fundamentally about giving citizens a
voice and how their community grows and

644
00:55:33,920 --> 00:55:39,920
changes.
>> Excuse me. Can you speak up?

645
00:55:36,240 --> 00:55:44,559
» Oh, I'm sorry. Zoning is a fundamentally
uh about giving citizens a voice and how

646
00:55:42,000 --> 00:55:48,880
their community grows and changes.
Citizen initiated zoning is especially

647
00:55:47,200 --> 00:55:53,599
important because it starts with the
people who live in the area. It allows

648
00:55:51,040 --> 00:55:58,960
residents to identify what they value
and establish reasonable standards to

649
00:55:55,680 --> 00:56:05,440
protect those values. Um, without
zoning, communities are often

650
00:56:02,079 --> 00:56:12,079
end up often reacting to individual um,
developments one at a time. Um, zoning

651
00:56:09,520 --> 00:56:17,440
regulations can be amended over time.
Um, which, you know, NIS is looking at

652
00:56:14,240 --> 00:56:23,680
doing now, uh, looking to amend those
and to meet our needs. Um, and I just

653
00:56:21,280 --> 00:56:29,920
want to briefly say that Madison County
is experiencing growth and development

654
00:56:26,559 --> 00:56:34,079
pressure. The question is whether or not
change will occur, but whether or not

655
00:56:32,000 --> 00:56:38,640
the citizens will have the meaningful
tools to help shape that change for

656
00:56:36,079 --> 00:56:47,240
their community.
I would encourage you, I'm in support of

657
00:56:42,559 --> 00:56:47,240
the citizen initiating something.

658
00:56:52,160 --> 00:57:00,960
Good morning. My name is Tom Schroeder.
My wife and I live at 144 Continental

659
00:56:57,440 --> 00:57:04,720
Divide Ranch Road in Cameron. Um, first
of all, I'd like to thank you, Mr.

660
00:57:02,880 --> 00:57:08,480
Chairman, commissioners, and staff for
the opportunity to speak to you today

661
00:57:06,000 --> 00:57:13,839
about what is obviously a very uh
important issue to many of us in the

662
00:57:10,720 --> 00:57:18,480
valley. Um, like I said, I live in
Continental Divide Ranch. We are a part

663
00:57:15,839 --> 00:57:22,880
of the Sheep Mountain uh zoning
district. I'm speaking in support of all

664
00:57:20,240 --> 00:57:28,880
three of the districts. Um these
districts are defined uh by the rivers,

665
00:57:26,400 --> 00:57:35,040
its open land, and the wildlife that
depend on both. Uh the corridors and

666
00:57:31,440 --> 00:57:39,680
habitat that CIZDS are designed to
protect aren't just scenic backdrops.

667
00:57:37,440 --> 00:57:44,079
They're working ecosystems. their
support. They support fisheries, big

668
00:57:41,920 --> 00:57:50,079
game migration, and water quality that
every resident and every visitor to this

669
00:57:46,960 --> 00:57:54,960
valley ultimately relies on. These
requirements don't just protect a

670
00:57:52,559 --> 00:57:59,680
resource on a map. They preserve the
open space, the clean water, and the

671
00:57:57,520 --> 00:58:04,480
wild character that makes these
districts feel like Madison County in

672
00:58:02,000 --> 00:58:09,119
the first place. When that habitat is
impacted by unregulated development, it

673
00:58:06,960 --> 00:58:13,599
doesn't come back. We have one chance to
get this right and these proposals is a

674
00:58:11,760 --> 00:58:18,480
sound this proposal is a sound
reasonable measured way to do it. I also

675
00:58:17,359 --> 00:58:23,520
want to speak to something I think
deserves some real weight today and that

676
00:58:20,640 --> 00:58:28,559
is 60% of the residents in three
affected districts signed a petition in

677
00:58:26,160 --> 00:58:34,559
support of these requirements. Getting
60% of support on anything in this

678
00:58:32,000 --> 00:58:40,720
county is hard because of significant
shared property owners here that are

679
00:58:37,280 --> 00:58:45,599
part-time or seasonal.
Many of them are difficult to reach uh

680
00:58:43,359 --> 00:58:50,319
by mail or phone and many don't find out
about the local land issues until

681
00:58:47,280 --> 00:58:55,520
they're arrive back at their homes.
Under those conditions, 60% isn't just a

682
00:58:53,359 --> 00:59:00,240
bare majority. It's an over it's
overwhelming support. In most local

683
00:58:58,079 --> 00:59:05,599
votes or surveys, getting even a third
of eligible participants to respond at

684
00:59:03,040 --> 00:59:10,160
all is considered a strong turnout. To
get 60% of the residents, many of them

685
00:59:08,160 --> 00:59:14,960
hard to reach
and many of them absentee. To actively

686
00:59:12,160 --> 00:59:20,000
sign on in favor of zoning restrictions
on their own land tells you something

687
00:59:16,799 --> 00:59:24,559
important. People who signed on to these
districts understand what's at stake and

688
00:59:22,720 --> 00:59:28,319
they want it protected.
Uh just as importantly, every citizen

689
00:59:26,720 --> 00:59:32,799
had the opportunity to take part in
shaping these requirements and a great

690
00:59:30,559 --> 00:59:39,599
many of them did, attending meetings,
submitting comments throughout the

691
00:59:35,119 --> 00:59:45,359
process. And while um some may object to
the timing or the need of having these

692
00:59:42,880 --> 00:59:50,240
uh requirements in these districts, I
haven't heard anybody object to the

693
00:59:48,000 --> 00:59:55,280
goals and objectives of the zoning
district. Um, this wasn't support that

694
00:59:53,040 --> 01:00:00,559
was gathered after the fact. It was
built uh from the start. So, with that,

695
00:59:58,000 --> 01:00:05,440
I urge you to adopt the CICD
requirements as proposed to protect

696
01:00:02,880 --> 01:00:10,160
Madison County's critical resources and
wildlife habitat and to honor the clear

697
01:00:08,240 --> 01:00:15,640
will of the residents who took the time
to make sure their voices were heard.

698
01:00:12,079 --> 01:00:15,640
Thank you very much.

699
01:00:23,040 --> 01:00:32,400
My name is Sandra Olaf Coparuda and I am
part of the Olaf Ranch at 850 Highway

700
01:00:29,520 --> 01:00:35,359
287 in Cameron.
Chairman Nye, Commissioner Gilman, and

701
01:00:34,160 --> 01:00:39,839
Commissioner Todd. Thank you for
allowing me the opportunity to speak. My

702
01:00:38,240 --> 01:00:44,799
mother, brother, sister, and I own the
Olaf Ranch, more than 1,800 acres in the

703
01:00:42,559 --> 01:00:49,839
Madison Valley, extending from the
Madison River up to the public lands,

704
01:00:48,160 --> 01:00:56,480
managed by the Forest Service and the
BLM. My grandfather, John Olaf,

705
01:00:52,960 --> 01:01:00,960
homesteaded the main property in 1898,
only a few years after Montana became

706
01:00:58,640 --> 01:01:04,480
state. Our family has cared for this
land ever since with the hope that it

707
01:01:02,960 --> 01:01:09,359
could remain in the family and be
responsibly managed for years to come.

708
01:01:07,760 --> 01:01:13,599
I want to make clear that our opposition
to these proposed zoning districts is

709
01:01:11,119 --> 01:01:17,839
not opposition to conservation,
responsible growth, wildlife protection,

710
01:01:16,319 --> 01:01:23,359
or preserving the rural character of
this community. Approximately 1500 acres

711
01:01:20,960 --> 01:01:27,920
of our ranch are already in conservation
ement held by the Forest Service. We

712
01:01:25,920 --> 01:01:32,240
provide public access along the Madison
River, participate in block management

713
01:01:29,920 --> 01:01:37,119
hunting, and use grazing practices that
allow elk cing to occur undisturbed

714
01:01:34,640 --> 01:01:40,480
while protecting our waterways.
We have made these commitments

715
01:01:38,319 --> 01:01:46,319
voluntarily because we believe in being
good stewards of the land. But

716
01:01:42,960 --> 01:01:50,960
supporting convers excuse me supporting
conservation does not necessarily mean

717
01:01:48,400 --> 01:01:54,319
supporting citizen imposed zoning. We
also believe strongly in private

718
01:01:52,400 --> 01:01:57,839
property rights and in allowing land
owners to have a meaningful voice in

719
01:01:56,079 --> 01:02:02,079
determining how their own property is
used. [clears throat] Today's decision

720
01:02:00,079 --> 01:02:06,000
is bigger than one property or one
family. It establishes a precedent for

721
01:02:04,240 --> 01:02:11,040
how part one citizen initiated zoning
districts will be evaluated in Madison

722
01:02:07,760 --> 01:02:14,799
County. Meeting the 60% petition
requirement allows a proposal to come

723
01:02:12,720 --> 01:02:18,319
before the commission. It does not by
itself established that creating that

724
01:02:16,799 --> 01:02:22,319
district is in the public interest and
convenience.

725
01:02:20,400 --> 01:02:25,440
A zoning district places regulations on
everyone within its boundaries,

726
01:02:23,599 --> 01:02:29,680
including land owners who do not support
the petition. I respectfully ask that

727
01:02:27,920 --> 01:02:33,200
the interests of property rights of all
affected landowners be given equal

728
01:02:31,680 --> 01:02:38,319
consideration.
I believe the commission should ask what

729
01:02:35,680 --> 01:02:43,520
specific public problem are these
regulations intended to to solve and are

730
01:02:40,799 --> 01:02:48,799
those restrictions necessarily to
address that problem? If the goals are

731
01:02:46,160 --> 01:02:52,640
to protect agriculture, wildlife, water,
open space, and rural character, are

732
01:02:51,040 --> 01:02:57,200
there existing laws, conservation
programs, voluntary agreements, or other

733
01:02:54,880 --> 01:03:01,839
less restrictive approaches that can be
accomplish these goals?

734
01:03:00,160 --> 01:03:05,280
Before imposing regulations on all
property owners within the proposed

735
01:03:03,280 --> 01:03:10,000
boundaries, landowners deserve
regulations that are clear, legally

736
01:03:07,119 --> 01:03:13,599
sound, enforcable, and fair. There's
also the question of cost and

737
01:03:11,359 --> 01:03:17,520
administration. These districts will
require county resources and involvement

738
01:03:15,359 --> 01:03:20,799
from multiple departments. Before
determining that they are in the public

739
01:03:18,960 --> 01:03:24,720
interest, the commission should
understand the long-term staffing,

740
01:03:22,400 --> 01:03:28,960
enforcement, and financial requirements.
Who will administer these regulations?

741
01:03:26,640 --> 01:03:32,720
What will enforcement cost? Will
additional staff or equipment be

742
01:03:30,559 --> 01:03:36,799
necessary? And what costs or fees will
ultimately passed on to land owners and

743
01:03:34,880 --> 01:03:40,000
taxpayers?
Finally, please consider the precedent

744
01:03:38,400 --> 01:03:44,799
and cumulative effect of these three
proposed districts. How will zoned and

745
01:03:42,559 --> 01:03:48,319
unzoned properties interact? How will
enforcement work across those

746
01:03:46,240 --> 01:03:52,319
boundaries? And what standard will
today's decision establish for future

747
01:03:50,240 --> 01:03:56,079
when zoning petitions throughout Madison
County?

748
01:03:54,000 --> 01:04:01,599
I believe citizen initiated zoning can
be a useful planning tool when affected

749
01:03:58,720 --> 01:04:05,440
land owners genuinely collaborate on
regulations that are broadly supported,

750
01:04:03,440 --> 01:04:09,280
clearly written, legally sound, and
beneficial to the community as a whole.

751
01:04:08,000 --> 01:04:12,480
But there is a significant difference
between landowners voluntarily agreeing

752
01:04:10,880 --> 01:04:16,799
to restrictions on their own property
and having those restrictions imposed on

753
01:04:14,400 --> 01:04:20,000
land owners who do not agree. Our family
believes strongly in conservation,

754
01:04:18,480 --> 01:04:23,599
responsible land management, and
preserving the character of this valley.

755
01:04:22,000 --> 01:04:28,079
We also believe strongly in private
property rights. Those principles do not

756
01:04:25,599 --> 01:04:30,960
have to be in conflict. I respectfully
ask the commission to look beyond the

757
01:04:29,520 --> 01:04:35,599
petition percentage and determine
whether these proposed districts are

758
01:04:32,400 --> 01:04:39,760
necessary, legally sound, enforcable,
administratively practical, fair to all

759
01:04:38,079 --> 01:04:42,880
affected land owners, and truly in the
public interest and convenience. If

760
01:04:41,680 --> 01:04:46,880
those questions cannot be answered
affirmatively, I respectfully ask you to

761
01:04:44,880 --> 01:04:50,520
not create
for your time and consideration.

762
01:05:02,480 --> 01:05:09,359
Hello, my name is Diane Olaf and along
with my mother, my sister who just

763
01:05:07,440 --> 01:05:14,799
spoke, my brother and I are the owners
of the Olaf Ranch. Our property property

764
01:05:12,640 --> 01:05:20,559
is located within the proposed Big Horn
Crossing CIZD which is not on today's

765
01:05:18,000 --> 01:05:25,119
agenda. However, I feel compelled to
comment on the other proposed CIDs

766
01:05:23,280 --> 01:05:28,640
because I believe the decisions being
made today could establish a precedent

767
01:05:26,880 --> 01:05:35,680
that may ultimately affect the Madison
Valley as a whole. Our grandfather

768
01:05:31,760 --> 01:05:41,440
homesteaded this ranch in 1898. For 128
years, our family has been proud to be

769
01:05:38,480 --> 01:05:46,319
part of the Madison Valley. We take our
responsibility as stewards of this land

770
01:05:43,359 --> 01:05:51,440
very seriously. Our goal is to maintain
the property in a sustainable manner and

771
01:05:48,880 --> 01:05:55,119
keep it in our family for generations to
come.

772
01:05:53,119 --> 01:05:59,760
Every major decision we make is
considered with that goal in mind. As

773
01:05:57,920 --> 01:06:03,760
part of that commitment, 20 years ago,
we placed the majority of our property

774
01:06:01,280 --> 01:06:08,960
under a conservation easement. That
easement significantly restricts

775
01:06:06,000 --> 01:06:13,200
commercial residential development. We
have noticed that some properties

776
01:06:10,160 --> 01:06:17,200
included in the proposed CIDs are also
already protected from development

777
01:06:14,880 --> 01:06:22,319
through conservation easements. This
raises two important questions for us.

778
01:06:19,760 --> 01:06:26,799
First, if a property is already
protected by a conservation easement

779
01:06:24,240 --> 01:06:30,640
that accomplishes the stated goals of
the proposed CIZD,

780
01:06:29,119 --> 01:06:35,680
why does that property need to be
included in the district?

781
01:06:32,960 --> 01:06:40,960
Second, if the requirements of a CIZD
differ from or potentially conflict with

782
01:06:38,319 --> 01:06:47,280
an existing conservation easement, which
restrictions would take precedence,

783
01:06:43,359 --> 01:06:51,280
conservation easement or the CICD?
Our other concern is the administration

784
01:06:49,119 --> 01:06:56,480
and financial impact of these proposed
districts. Where will the funding come

785
01:06:53,520 --> 01:07:00,880
from to administer these districts? Who
will be responsible for overseeing them?

786
01:06:59,039 --> 01:07:05,680
And most importantly, will property
owners within these districts be subject

787
01:07:03,599 --> 01:07:10,160
to increased property taxes or other
financial obligations? I want to be

788
01:07:08,319 --> 01:07:15,119
clear that our family supports the goal
of protecting the Madison Valley, its

789
01:07:12,640 --> 01:07:19,200
wildlife, agricultural lands, and open
spaces. Our concern is whether

790
01:07:17,440 --> 01:07:24,079
additional zoning restrictions are
necessary on properties that are already

791
01:07:21,440 --> 01:07:28,000
protected from development.
Our family has voluntarily taken

792
01:07:25,839 --> 01:07:31,920
significant steps to protect our land.
We want to understand why additional

793
01:07:29,599 --> 01:07:35,599
zoning restrictions are necessary, how
those restrictions would interact with

794
01:07:33,520 --> 01:07:40,000
our existing conservation easement, and
what financial obligations would

795
01:07:37,280 --> 01:07:43,200
ultimately be placed on land owners. I
respectfully ask the commissioners to

796
01:07:41,680 --> 01:07:47,280
consider these questions carefully and
to provide clear answers to land owners

797
01:07:45,359 --> 01:07:53,000
before moving forward with these
proposed districts. Thank you for your

798
01:07:49,520 --> 01:07:53,000
time, consideration.

799
01:07:58,400 --> 01:08:06,079
Good morning. My name is Gail Among
Handra.

800
01:08:02,400 --> 01:08:12,400
Property is located on Sage Brush Way in
Cameron. We spend our our winters in

801
01:08:09,200 --> 01:08:19,359
mind, Nevada, which is our home. I've
been coming to the Madison Valley uh

802
01:08:14,880 --> 01:08:24,319
since my youth. Um, in 1988, my husband
Tom and I were fortunate enough to

803
01:08:21,839 --> 01:08:30,640
purchase property in the upper Madison
River corridor. As a family, we cared

804
01:08:27,920 --> 01:08:35,679
deeply about preserving the character
and the natural wonders of this

805
01:08:32,719 --> 01:08:41,920
beautiful place and being good stewards
of the land. Our property is not

806
01:08:38,799 --> 01:08:47,839
included in any of the three proposed
CIZDs being discussed today, but I do

807
01:08:45,359 --> 01:08:53,359
have experience with the preserve
Reynolds passport group and I have

808
01:08:50,080 --> 01:08:59,040
concerns about the use their use of the
CICD process.

809
01:08:55,920 --> 01:09:05,279
In July of this year, I was contacted by
two preserverless past representatives.

810
01:09:02,640 --> 01:09:12,960
They shared with me their success about
the CICD process and then in the same

811
01:09:08,560 --> 01:09:17,040
breath I was told that we our property
is next.

812
01:09:15,040 --> 01:09:22,960
They shared that the subdivision across
the river from us uh wanted to impose

813
01:09:20,000 --> 01:09:31,120
the same regulations that are before you
today on our property.

814
01:09:25,920 --> 01:09:37,679
Our property 228 acres is undeveloped.
The subdivision across the river has

815
01:09:34,000 --> 01:09:41,839
approximately 140 lots of 20 acres or
less,

816
01:09:39,199 --> 01:09:47,600
many of which are developed, but only a
small fraction of that subdivision would

817
01:09:44,560 --> 01:09:52,080
be included in this freshly proposed
CICD.

818
01:09:49,600 --> 01:09:57,440
This raises the question of how are
these boundaries drawn? Are there are

819
01:09:55,280 --> 01:10:02,400
there objective planning principles that
determine which properties are included?

820
01:10:00,640 --> 01:10:07,679
What are those principles for the
districts before you today? In the case

821
01:10:05,199 --> 01:10:12,159
of Sheet Mountain, I believe that those
boundaries have already shifted since

822
01:10:09,760 --> 01:10:17,440
inception.
In August of this year, the preserve

823
01:10:14,080 --> 01:10:21,840
rentals pass quote kickoff meeting for
this initiative that included our

824
01:10:19,440 --> 01:10:28,000
property was supposed to include
affected property owners. Um yet none of

825
01:10:25,360 --> 01:10:31,679
the um affected property owners from the
subdivision across the river were

826
01:10:30,159 --> 01:10:37,920
present.
We raised questions and we were told in

827
01:10:34,800 --> 01:10:44,000
summary that CIZDS are inevitable and
that they would eventually extend from

828
01:10:40,800 --> 01:10:51,600
Apoose Creek or the rest stop at Lion's
Bridge all the way to the Idaho border.

829
01:10:47,280 --> 01:10:56,400
We were told that we had no choice.
This is this experience has acted as the

830
01:10:54,159 --> 01:11:02,159
impetus for us to participate in this
process. Today I would like to

831
01:10:59,120 --> 01:11:08,400
understand how a patchwork of citizens
initiated zoning districts organized by

832
01:11:05,600 --> 01:11:13,679
one well-funded and professionally run
group can adequately reflect public

833
01:11:11,760 --> 01:11:17,520
interest or convenience of the
communities that they are seeking to

834
01:11:15,760 --> 01:11:22,159
govern.
Drawing from my recent experience, I

835
01:11:20,080 --> 01:11:28,800
also wonder about the ways in which
proposed regulations have been presented

836
01:11:25,199 --> 01:11:32,960
to land owners who signed the petitions.
Is a signature collected in the spirit

837
01:11:31,120 --> 01:11:38,080
of conservation
indicative of a land owner who was

838
01:11:35,120 --> 01:11:44,320
informed of the regulatory financial
burden of the CIZD.

839
01:11:41,440 --> 01:11:50,800
Finally, I have questions
about the inclusion of public lands,

840
01:11:46,960 --> 01:11:55,600
public roads and public rivers, CICD.
Likewise, I wonder about the regulatory

841
01:11:53,199 --> 01:12:01,600
because there's necessity of including
already highly regulated properties

842
01:11:58,400 --> 01:12:06,320
either by conservation easement or HO.
You know, why are these additional

843
01:12:03,360 --> 01:12:12,239
layers of regulation necessary?
In the case of the occlusion of public

844
01:12:08,239 --> 01:12:18,800
lands, why should or how can uh this
regulatory burden be borne by such a

845
01:12:14,960 --> 01:12:24,800
small subset of a landowned
communities or population I should say.

846
01:12:22,560 --> 01:12:31,199
In summary, preserve rentals past group
frequently calls the CICD process

847
01:12:28,480 --> 01:12:35,360
voluntary zoning.
It's not.

848
01:12:33,120 --> 01:12:41,679
We have voluntarily been good stewards
of our land as have many of the affected

849
01:12:37,760 --> 01:12:47,440
land owners in the um proposed CIZDS
before you today. I ask that you

850
01:12:44,320 --> 01:12:53,199
consider pro private property rights on
balance with the interests of preserving

851
01:12:50,640 --> 01:13:00,840
this past. I feel as though this group
has a solution in such problem. Thank

852
01:12:57,199 --> 01:13:00,840
you for your consideration.

853
01:13:03,520 --> 01:13:09,040
Good morning. Um, my name is Amy
Alejandro. I'm Gail's daughter. Our

854
01:13:07,440 --> 01:13:14,560
property is in Seed Bush Way in Cameron,
Montana. I spent every summer of my

855
01:13:11,760 --> 01:13:19,120
childhood here trying to fly fish poorly
and reading books by the banks of

856
01:13:16,880 --> 01:13:23,840
Madison River. The integrity of this
piece of Montana has been deeply

857
01:13:21,199 --> 01:13:27,920
instilled in my values and in the values
of my siblings and has shaped our

858
01:13:26,239 --> 01:13:32,719
relationship with nature much more
broadly. We all want to protect this

859
01:13:30,719 --> 01:13:37,360
incredible environment. Conservation is
a lotable goal and it's an important

860
01:13:34,719 --> 01:13:41,840
goal, but conservation and individual
liberties are not mutually exclusive.

861
01:13:40,000 --> 01:13:46,159
This is a precedent setting moment for
Madison County. Today, I urge you to

862
01:13:44,239 --> 01:13:50,640
look beyond whether the petitions met
the required threshold of property owner

863
01:13:48,480 --> 01:13:55,920
support and instead look carefully at
what these regulations actually do. The

864
01:13:54,080 --> 01:14:00,000
question before you is not whether
conservation is a worthwhile pursuit,

865
01:13:58,239 --> 01:14:04,239
but it is whether these specific
restrictions imposed through this

866
01:14:01,920 --> 01:14:09,280
particular process truly serve the
public interest and convenience.

867
01:14:07,120 --> 01:14:14,000
I don't understand why three different
districts are being subject to the same

868
01:14:11,520 --> 01:14:18,400
regulatory language. These districts
have different patterns of ownership,

869
01:14:15,920 --> 01:14:23,040
development, and land use, but they are
being subjected to essentially the same

870
01:14:20,239 --> 01:14:26,719
set of highly restrictive standards. If
these communities have different

871
01:14:24,480 --> 01:14:31,360
circumstances and planning needs, then
the regulations should reflect those

872
01:14:28,719 --> 01:14:35,600
differences. On the other hand, if the
circumstances are similar enough to

873
01:14:33,199 --> 01:14:40,159
justify the same regulations, then I
think that raises the opposite question

874
01:14:37,600 --> 01:14:44,800
of why is this collection of small,
highly restrictive CICDs the appropriate

875
01:14:42,560 --> 01:14:49,920
planning tool rather than a broader
county-led pursuit that considers the

876
01:14:47,120 --> 01:14:54,560
region as a whole. Good planning should
respond to the place being regulated.

877
01:14:52,560 --> 01:14:59,600
Fundamentally, every restriction on the
use of private property should have a

878
01:14:56,640 --> 01:15:04,159
reason behind it. If we impose a 40acre
minimum, stricter water body setbacks,

879
01:15:02,000 --> 01:15:08,480
or limits on accessory dwellings, we
should be able to identify a direct

880
01:15:06,560 --> 01:15:13,360
corresponding benefit to public health,
safety, or welfare. I have not seen

881
01:15:11,120 --> 01:15:18,080
evidence in this record demonstrating
that these restrictions are necessary or

882
01:15:16,159 --> 01:15:22,560
that each restriction will produce a
meaningful return on environmental

883
01:15:19,920 --> 01:15:27,120
protection or quality of life to justify
the burden that it imposes. Without that

884
01:15:25,199 --> 01:15:30,960
connection, these districts look less
like regulations tailored to

885
01:15:28,719 --> 01:15:36,000
demonstrated community needs and more
like a regulatory template in search of

886
01:15:32,719 --> 01:15:39,679
a place to to apply it.
I think that the clearest indication

887
01:15:38,000 --> 01:15:43,520
that these regulations are not
sufficiently tailored to the communities

888
01:15:41,600 --> 01:15:47,920
that they seek to regulate is the
extraordinary level of nonconformity

889
01:15:45,679 --> 01:15:52,159
that they create. In these districts,
nonconformity is not the exception. It

890
01:15:50,080 --> 01:15:57,760
is the rule. In the Sheep Mountain
District, by my count, there are roughly

891
01:15:54,480 --> 01:16:01,760
54 parcels. Only five of those parcels
meet the 40 acre minimum acreage

892
01:15:59,520 --> 01:16:06,320
standard contained in the regulation and
three of those are already protected by

893
01:16:03,920 --> 01:16:10,080
conservation easement. That means that
the commission is being asked to adopt a

894
01:16:08,320 --> 01:16:14,000
minimum parcel standard that bears
almost no relationship to the existing

895
01:16:12,400 --> 01:16:18,239
pattern of private land ownership in
Sheep Mountain. While there has been a

896
01:16:16,400 --> 01:16:22,159
lot of discussion about existing uh
properties being grandfathered,

897
01:16:19,840 --> 01:16:25,760
grandfathered does not mean unaffected.
These regulations still impose

898
01:16:23,840 --> 01:16:30,000
additional conditions and restrictions
on non-conforming properties, creating

899
01:16:28,000 --> 01:16:34,400
additional regulatory burdens for both
land owners and the county. I don't

900
01:16:32,800 --> 01:16:38,880
think that having non-conformity
automatically means that a regulation is

901
01:16:36,719 --> 01:16:42,719
unreasonable. But when a zoning district
is so disconnected from the community

902
01:16:40,719 --> 01:16:47,920
that it regulates that almost every
existing parcel fails to meet its basic

903
01:16:45,440 --> 01:16:51,253
dimensional standard on day one, that
should demand a pretty compelling

904
01:16:49,440 --> 01:16:54,320
justification for how that minimum
[clears throat] standard produces a

905
01:16:52,640 --> 01:16:59,440
measurable benefit to public health,
safety, and welfare. Lastly, I want to

906
01:16:57,280 --> 01:17:03,520
briefly address cost. The county
planning department has raised questions

907
01:17:01,280 --> 01:17:07,520
about the staff time, equipment,
administrative capacity, and enforcement

908
01:17:05,840 --> 01:17:11,600
resources that these districts will
require in their staff report. Before

909
01:17:10,080 --> 01:17:17,120
creating this district, I would
encourage you to answer two very basic

910
01:17:14,239 --> 01:17:21,040
questions. What will it actually cost
man Madison County to administer and

911
01:17:19,040 --> 01:17:25,760
enforce these regulations? And who will
pay for it? If the costs are ultimately

912
01:17:23,679 --> 01:17:31,440
assessed within each district per the
statute, has anyone calculated what that

913
01:17:28,640 --> 01:17:35,120
means for individual property owners?
The cost may not seem exorbitant if you

914
01:17:33,600 --> 01:17:40,320
look at it spread out across the entire
district, but it might not feel so

915
01:17:37,040 --> 01:17:44,080
modest if based on taxable value, one or
two land owners within a district are

916
01:17:42,239 --> 01:17:48,960
responsible for a disproportionate share
of that cost. Before creating a

917
01:17:46,480 --> 01:17:53,199
permanent regulatory obligation, I would
ask that the commission know both the

918
01:17:50,800 --> 01:17:57,120
cost of that obligation and who will
actually bear it. Thank you so much for

919
01:17:55,760 --> 01:18:00,120
your time and consideration of my
concerns.

920
01:18:05,840 --> 01:18:14,719
» My name is Pam Townsend. I live at 200
Jensen Road in Cameron. My husband and I

921
01:18:11,360 --> 01:18:21,120
bought built our house 15 years ago. and
I'm also part of a family that's had a

922
01:18:17,520 --> 01:18:27,600
footprint in this valley since 1960.
Um my husband and I stand in support of

923
01:18:24,560 --> 01:18:33,800
the majority of the signators to these
petitions

924
01:18:29,199 --> 01:18:33,800
initiated zoning districts. Thank you.

925
01:18:40,480 --> 01:18:54,640
My name is Rebecca the Pike and I'm live
on in the

926
01:18:48,239 --> 01:19:03,120
Big Horn Sheep uh district. I live on uh
19 Moonwater Lane

927
01:18:57,679 --> 01:19:09,840
on River and 8/10 of an acre. I'm a
observer by nature.

928
01:19:05,679 --> 01:19:17,040
No pun intended, but uh nature is my
favorite observation. And these two deer

929
01:19:13,600 --> 01:19:22,719
came rushing through my yard or not well
close to my yard looking for a way down

930
01:19:19,600 --> 01:19:29,600
to the river to get out of wherever they
were and they were in trouble and

931
01:19:25,679 --> 01:19:38,880
obviously in their sense of the word.
And uh so I got to watch them scurry and

932
01:19:35,520 --> 01:19:43,360
try to find their way to the river. Uh I
assume they made it and I know they

933
01:19:41,120 --> 01:19:50,880
wanted to get up there on the big
mountain, get out of there. So anyway,

934
01:19:47,199 --> 01:20:00,560
uh that's uh the most recent
observation and I'm looks like the tail

935
01:19:55,840 --> 01:20:10,800
of the of the beast this morning. And uh
I am in favor of the positive

936
01:20:04,800 --> 01:20:16,960
on this wildlife and land preservation.
And I've noticed things like the when

937
01:20:14,239 --> 01:20:24,800
they put in a new table in our area,
which was this sage brush, uh then they

938
01:20:22,159 --> 01:20:32,800
planted over it to make it look nice.
They put in a a great big tall grass

939
01:20:29,920 --> 01:20:37,840
with a lot of seed on it. I don't see
too many animals eating it. Uh none of

940
01:20:35,920 --> 01:20:42,960
the big animals.
Uh that big horn sheep were looking for

941
01:20:40,400 --> 01:20:48,800
food one winter came all the way down
the whole and they were on the river.

942
01:20:45,840 --> 01:20:54,560
the Schwantler River. I crossed on our
my side on Southside and uh they were

943
01:20:52,560 --> 01:21:01,840
digging around down there trying to find
something to eat. And uh this stuff they

944
01:20:58,560 --> 01:21:06,320
put in alongside the roads and in the
the trenches where they bury the cable,

945
01:21:04,800 --> 01:21:11,600
probably the cheapest stuff they can
find. It's kind of a mixed seed. It's

946
01:21:09,040 --> 01:21:18,960
not clean seed. That's going to be a
problem eventually. and uh with all our

947
01:21:16,800 --> 01:21:25,360
good brain we've had, it's a problem
now. But anyway, I'm for the positive

948
01:21:23,199 --> 01:21:32,320
or for the
to the uh whatever we're doing here

949
01:21:30,080 --> 01:21:39,120
working on. Yeah, I'm not a public
speaker. I'm an observer. So, uh, that's

950
01:21:37,120 --> 01:21:45,679
I couldn't miss this opportunity to
speak for the wildlife and for the the

951
01:21:42,560 --> 01:21:50,960
peace and quiet what we have. Uh, and
that's actually what they're selling to

952
01:21:47,520 --> 01:21:56,000
the to the uh people that come and
visit. So,

953
01:21:53,679 --> 01:21:59,800
we're going to lose that
if we don't do something.

954
01:22:11,600 --> 01:22:22,960
guys. Thank you. Thank you.
Um, my name is Jerry Orbula. I uh live

955
01:22:18,800 --> 01:22:30,080
at 7 lane.
I've been there for quite some time. Um

956
01:22:28,560 --> 01:22:35,520
going to take this moment to thank you
gentlemen and the staff here for all

957
01:22:31,600 --> 01:22:40,639
that you do. Uh it we've had the chance
or I've had the chance but to observe

958
01:22:38,880 --> 01:22:44,320
more carefully over the last several
years what you do and my heads off to

959
01:22:42,800 --> 01:22:48,400
you.
You guys don't do this for the money

960
01:22:45,600 --> 01:22:54,080
though, do you? [clears throat]
I mean,

961
01:22:51,199 --> 01:22:59,280
uh, see, it's out of charact.
And honestly, that's that's why we're

962
01:22:55,920 --> 01:23:02,639
all here today as we all
speak up. Speak up.

963
01:23:01,040 --> 01:23:06,000
» I speak up.
>> I'm the one hearing. So, if you want to

964
01:23:04,639 --> 01:23:10,320
speak,
>> thank you. I thank you. I I'll take

965
01:23:07,920 --> 01:23:13,920
that. Um,
I want to clear up some misconceptions

966
01:23:12,400 --> 01:23:17,040
up front here. You know, I was raised in
a coal mining town, small coal mining

967
01:23:15,600 --> 01:23:22,320
town.
And what we call misconceptions back

968
01:23:18,960 --> 01:23:25,600
then were rumors and gossip.
So there are a few misconceptions. I

969
01:23:24,400 --> 01:23:32,080
think I'm just going to take just a few
moments to clear this up. The the

970
01:23:28,320 --> 01:23:36,159
concern about u if you're not in an
identified zone that you're going to be

971
01:23:34,159 --> 01:23:39,920
controlled by that that is there's no
connection there,

972
01:23:38,159 --> 01:23:43,760
right? I mean if you don't that's like
saying [clears throat] I live in

973
01:23:42,159 --> 01:23:48,480
Gallatin and I'm going be affected by
what you do in Ellis. That doesn't mean

974
01:23:46,320 --> 01:23:52,480
you'll be directly affected. I mean,
does it affect long term? Well, if we're

975
01:23:50,719 --> 01:23:59,639
talking about long-term planning, yeah,
maybe it does. Maybe we should be

976
01:23:54,080 --> 01:23:59,639
affecting some things long term. Um,

977
01:24:00,800 --> 01:24:08,960
and the idea that I certainly respect
everybody's rights in the valley, but

978
01:24:07,199 --> 01:24:15,280
then we should also respect those
people's rights who do want to try to

979
01:24:11,600 --> 01:24:18,560
protect their immediate surroundings.
I think it's a matter of mutual respect

980
01:24:17,040 --> 01:24:24,000
here.
Um, and the one that really threw me a

981
01:24:20,880 --> 01:24:30,880
curve since I am on the board for QRP
is the idea that we're well funded. Uh,

982
01:24:27,199 --> 01:24:36,400
I think I want to just simply state that
all of the funding that's come from PRP

983
01:24:33,920 --> 01:24:42,800
is by people in Madison Valley who are
neighbors and who care. That's probably

984
01:24:39,760 --> 01:24:47,520
a significant consideration when you're
looking at public sentiment. This is

985
01:24:45,760 --> 01:24:54,400
people of their own time, their own
money, their own volition choosing to do

986
01:24:50,560 --> 01:24:57,280
this. There's nobody being forced here.
So, I just want to clear that clarify

987
01:24:56,080 --> 01:25:02,960
that moment. I'm going to get on to my
regular conversation here. So,

988
01:25:00,800 --> 01:25:06,159
uh
so as I mentioned, I've been a property

989
01:25:04,800 --> 01:25:12,080
owner here in Reynolds Spash for more
than 30 years. I stand here before you

990
01:25:09,199 --> 01:25:19,199
today under my understanding under the
Montana law

991
01:25:14,480 --> 01:25:23,000
that citizen initiated zoning u is part
of a citizen's right.

992
01:25:23,440 --> 01:25:31,760
I respectfully request that you adopt
the citizens initiated zoning district

993
01:25:27,920 --> 01:25:36,760
um as it represents the views of the
majority. Sorry, my eyes are terrible

994
01:25:33,760 --> 01:25:36,760
here.

995
01:25:41,360 --> 01:25:47,600
me to read it for you.
>> You may have to let me just give it one

996
01:25:45,120 --> 01:25:50,600
more shot, then I'll let you
um

997
01:25:51,760 --> 01:26:01,040
Okay. So, as I said, I respectfully
ask that you consider this

998
01:25:58,560 --> 01:26:06,159
request
under the understanding of the You know

999
01:26:03,520 --> 01:26:10,880
what? Is it allowed for me to read it
for him? He has eye problems.

1000
01:26:09,280 --> 01:26:12,960
» I have some vision issues that I'm just
now dealing with. I can take one more

1001
01:26:12,400 --> 01:26:16,159
shot at it.
>> No, it's okay. We'll just in the

1002
01:26:14,560 --> 01:26:21,480
interest of everybody's time.
>> Yeah. Well, it's

1003
01:26:17,120 --> 01:26:21,480
» your misery. It's

1004
01:26:21,520 --> 01:26:28,400
okay. I respectfully request that you
adopt the citizen initiated signing

1005
01:26:25,760 --> 01:26:33,040
district which represents the views of
the majority of my neighbors. It is also

1006
01:26:30,960 --> 01:26:38,239
in sheet map. It also my understanding
that the term majority is defined by 60%

1007
01:26:36,239 --> 01:26:43,360
or more of the land owners in a district
as required by Montana law and reflected

1008
01:26:40,960 --> 01:26:47,520
by the signatures on the petition. The
request represents more than three years

1009
01:26:45,199 --> 01:26:51,760
of community outreach and time and money
from citizens in Madison County to

1010
01:26:50,000 --> 01:26:56,719
support a campaign of awareness and
education and legal support in preparing

1011
01:26:54,400 --> 01:27:02,239
a petition submitt such as this to
Madison County. The genesis of the CICD

1012
01:27:00,000 --> 01:27:06,320
initiative began four years ago.
Neighbors began having conversations on

1013
01:27:04,159 --> 01:27:10,960
the rapid changes at the south end of
the Madison Valley. Those conversations

1014
01:27:09,120 --> 01:27:15,760
grew to concerns with the increase in
home buildings, existing developable

1015
01:27:13,199 --> 01:27:21,040
parcels of record, expansion of a gravel
pit and the attempt to build 150 RV

1016
01:27:18,800 --> 01:27:24,639
park. Some of these occurring without
much public awareness. We learned

1017
01:27:23,120 --> 01:27:28,000
through numerous local neighborhood
discussions the need for more

1018
01:27:26,000 --> 01:27:32,719
information and the passion in the
community to provide thoughtful input to

1019
01:27:30,480 --> 01:27:37,760
complex challenges and growth of this
amazing valley we all call home Madison

1020
01:27:35,360 --> 01:27:42,800
Valley. Those of us who have lived in
the valley of QD aware of the challenges

1021
01:27:40,960 --> 01:27:47,600
overdevelopment of resources that have
an irreversible impact on water forests

1022
01:27:44,960 --> 01:27:51,920
and wildlife. It is well documented that
these fragile resources are essential

1023
01:27:49,520 --> 01:27:58,159
for future economic stability and
lifestyle. Tourism is manageable.

1024
01:27:54,960 --> 01:28:02,320
Destruction of natural resources is not.
Consistent with Montana history, Madison

1025
01:28:00,400 --> 01:28:06,960
County has historic agricultural
heritage that is essential to preserve

1026
01:28:04,719 --> 01:28:10,960
the lifestyle and economic stability of
the county. The support of police

1027
01:28:09,360 --> 01:28:16,080
medical and fire protection for rural
areas has already been addressed by

1028
01:28:13,760 --> 01:28:19,040
colleague Samantha Arvagast.
Recognition of public demand for

1029
01:28:17,760 --> 01:28:24,239
fishing, hunting, and camping
opportunities in Madison County, which

1030
01:28:21,360 --> 01:28:28,639
drives population relocation here means
local citizens input and support for

1031
01:28:26,639 --> 01:28:33,920
growth policy initiatives and planning
tools. The idea of citizen initiated

1032
01:28:31,440 --> 01:28:38,960
zoning can help address concerns such as
land use compatibility, environmental

1033
01:28:36,560 --> 01:28:44,000
protection, and infrastructure planning.
Let me explain that during my past four

1034
01:28:42,080 --> 01:28:48,880
years of working with PRP, the county
conducted a multi-sight outreach program

1035
01:28:47,040 --> 01:28:53,280
in an effort to understand public
perspective and to listen to the people

1036
01:28:50,960 --> 01:28:57,199
in remote areas of the county. I
attended one of the meetings. By the

1037
01:28:55,280 --> 01:29:00,719
way, I applaud this effort. The
attendance was small but boisterous.

1038
01:28:58,880 --> 01:29:06,159
less than 10% of the land owners for
that area attended. This is not

1039
01:29:03,760 --> 01:29:10,000
criticism. It is quite typical for these
type of outreach programs. Here's the

1040
01:29:08,320 --> 01:29:14,960
point. It was one time in four years
with a less than 10% response. We were

1041
01:29:12,719 --> 01:29:19,199
able to gather detailed public input as
specific to the Rains Pass region and

1042
01:29:17,280 --> 01:29:23,840
share results of our documented outreach
and public opinions. After four years of

1043
01:29:21,840 --> 01:29:28,639
ongoing communication, we've established
a community. This community could also

1044
01:29:26,639 --> 01:29:33,360
be utilized for future county
initiatives. These districts can provide

1045
01:29:31,360 --> 01:29:38,320
thoughtful, organized citizen input to
the county regarding future growth and

1046
01:29:35,520 --> 01:29:42,239
development. CICD does not compete with
the county. It enhances community

1047
01:29:40,639 --> 01:29:46,800
communication.
Finally, I would like to address a

1048
01:29:43,679 --> 01:29:50,400
concern raised about the cost of CICD.
How many of you are familiar with the

1049
01:29:48,480 --> 01:29:55,920
county discussion for a proposal to
build a 150 lot RV park in Rain's past

1050
01:29:53,679 --> 01:29:59,920
four years ago? Fortunately, the
proposal was defeated, but not without a

1051
01:29:57,920 --> 01:30:04,159
lot of discussion, confusion, expense,
and difficult feelings. A quick

1052
01:30:02,239 --> 01:30:09,040
question, how much of the county's
limited and precious resources were used

1053
01:30:06,080 --> 01:30:12,400
to address this issue? I don't know that
number, but I'm pretty sure it involved

1054
01:30:10,719 --> 01:30:17,440
multiple departments over several
months. precious resource resources that

1055
01:30:15,520 --> 01:30:21,360
you folks in this room are acutely aware
of. What many observed during that

1056
01:30:19,840 --> 01:30:26,480
process with confusion and
misunderstanding in the community about

1057
01:30:24,320 --> 01:30:29,920
what people can do with their property,
the public's lack of understanding about

1058
01:30:28,320 --> 01:30:35,120
covenants and their lack of compliance
in rural areas only added to the chaos.

1059
01:30:33,360 --> 01:30:40,000
These type of conflicts are not going
away. Adopting CICD initiatives with

1060
01:30:38,239 --> 01:30:45,120
clear guidelines that are developed and
endorsed by local citizens will reduce

1061
01:30:42,560 --> 01:30:49,760
public confusion and conflict and reduce
the strain on county resources.

1062
01:30:47,679 --> 01:30:55,199
The Montana legislature adopted the
zoning framework in 1953 to allow

1063
01:30:52,639 --> 01:30:59,920
citizens to petition the county to adopt
zoning regulations to protect their

1064
01:30:57,120 --> 01:31:04,159
property. The idea is a law based on two
simple concepts that guide public

1065
01:31:01,760 --> 01:31:10,159
policy, common sense and financial
accountability. Without CICDs, it's more

1066
01:31:07,199 --> 01:31:14,920
expensive to ignore and than adopt. I
urge you to adopt a CICD proposal.

1067
01:31:21,040 --> 01:31:24,280
» Thank you.

1068
01:31:28,960 --> 01:31:35,199
» Good morning. My name is Steve Somatria.
I am a citizen property owner in

1069
01:31:32,960 --> 01:31:40,000
Randol's Pass for the past 12 years. I'm
also a board member of reserve rand

1070
01:31:38,000 --> 01:31:43,440
fully support the sheep mountain cisd
which is in the public interest because

1071
01:31:41,360 --> 01:31:46,880
its purpose and intent is to protect
public health and safety as well as

1072
01:31:45,280 --> 01:31:52,400
properly guide growth and development in
the area which all considered together

1073
01:31:49,760 --> 01:31:55,679
are a compelling governmental interest.
One specific reason why I am supportive

1074
01:31:54,239 --> 01:31:59,840
is driven by my concern with the
declining residential water supply. In

1075
01:31:58,400 --> 01:32:04,159
most recent years, the underground water
table appears to be dropping.

1076
01:32:02,320 --> 01:32:09,679
The static water level from my well has
dropped from 160 ft to 353 feet with the

1077
01:32:08,159 --> 01:32:14,400
total depth of the well still at about
440 ft. I hear about similar situations

1078
01:32:12,800 --> 01:32:17,600
from other citizen property owners in
the area and I'm anxious to preserve

1079
01:32:15,760 --> 01:32:21,679
Rand's past to start its water study in
order to benchmark current well levels

1080
01:32:19,600 --> 01:32:26,320
in addition to bringing greater clarity
and broader awareness to this issue.

1081
01:32:24,480 --> 01:32:29,600
In addition, we have more lots in our
area with no home or well yet compared

1082
01:32:28,000 --> 01:32:33,440
to the number of lots with a home in a
well. Therefore, there is not yet a well

1083
01:32:31,920 --> 01:32:37,040
drawing water from the aquifer on the
majority of lots.

1084
01:32:35,360 --> 01:32:40,000
And let me be clear, these zoning
regulations do not in any way impede

1085
01:32:38,639 --> 01:32:44,080
these current land owners from building
a home on their vacant lot and drilling

1086
01:32:41,600 --> 01:32:48,159
the well eventually. But this potential
future significant increase in water use

1087
01:32:45,760 --> 01:32:52,960
from the aquifer as more and more
residential wells come online does

1088
01:32:50,239 --> 01:32:56,000
present a risk to the aquifer. So, are
we also going to allow large-scale

1089
01:32:54,560 --> 01:33:00,080
commercial development in Randle's Pass
as a material add-on risk which puts an

1090
01:32:58,560 --> 01:33:04,480
extremely high demand on the underground
water supply

1091
01:33:02,239 --> 01:33:07,600
or as these zoning regulations provide
will we wisely prevent large-scale

1092
01:33:06,159 --> 01:33:12,080
commercial development in Randles Pass
is one smart smart way to mitigate the

1093
01:33:09,840 --> 01:33:16,159
risk to this force?
Some may doubt the risks, but surface

1094
01:33:13,760 --> 01:33:20,320
water is a key indicator in what it's
been telling us for a while now. We have

1095
01:33:18,480 --> 01:33:23,360
seen surface water drying up which is an
early indicator and confirms it is

1096
01:33:21,920 --> 01:33:27,280
highly likely that the underground water
table is indeed dropping.

1097
01:33:25,679 --> 01:33:31,440
One of the many examples of the surface
water issue is Mile Creek and Reynolds

1098
01:33:28,960 --> 01:33:34,560
Pass. Mile Creek is a trickle compared
to many years ago to the point where

1099
01:33:32,800 --> 01:33:38,480
ranchers now need to consider drilling a
well to make sure they have enough water

1100
01:33:36,320 --> 01:33:42,800
for their cattle.
How will this possibly new and important

1101
01:33:40,400 --> 01:33:46,960
aggra business uh water-based need for
ranchers which is also unaffected by

1102
01:33:44,880 --> 01:33:51,199
these zoning regulations
affect their affect the underground

1103
01:33:48,639 --> 01:33:55,760
water tape. The agra use should be a
priority in Rain's pass as opposed to

1104
01:33:53,520 --> 01:34:01,120
large scale de uh commercial development
and the water uh draw that it it that it

1105
01:33:58,400 --> 01:34:04,239
takes. Another specific reason why I am
supportive is the potential impact of

1106
01:34:02,719 --> 01:34:07,040
property.
What do you think will happen if we turn

1107
01:34:05,679 --> 01:34:11,040
a blind eye to this challenge of a
declining water supply, kick the can

1108
01:34:08,960 --> 01:34:14,159
down the road, put no control over large
commercial development, and end up

1109
01:34:12,480 --> 01:34:17,760
having water supply problems in Brand's
Pass? At a minimum, property values

1110
01:34:16,400 --> 01:34:20,880
would be materially affected in a
negative way. And if any lot ends up

1111
01:34:19,520 --> 01:34:24,159
having trouble or difficulty finding
water at some point in the future, that

1112
01:34:22,639 --> 01:34:27,360
lot could potentially become nearly
valuous.

1113
01:34:26,000 --> 01:34:31,120
And when I think of the negative impact
on property values, I'm also reminded of

1114
01:34:29,440 --> 01:34:35,360
the common saying of those who oppose
these initiatives. They will quickly

1115
01:34:32,960 --> 01:34:39,199
offer, and I quote, a statement which I
understand and respect, I am a personal

1116
01:34:37,760 --> 01:34:44,159
property rights person. I support
personal property rights. But what that

1117
01:34:42,080 --> 01:34:48,800
statement leaves off or doesn't consider
are these very important words.

1118
01:34:47,199 --> 01:34:52,800
But what happens to my neighbor's
property value when I have a large-scale

1119
01:34:50,880 --> 01:34:56,159
commercial development project on my
property?

1120
01:34:54,880 --> 01:34:58,960
As an example, what do you think would
happen to a neighbor's property value if

1121
01:34:57,440 --> 01:35:03,280
an adjacent property owner is allowed to
build a large hotel or some other large

1122
01:35:01,199 --> 01:35:07,440
commercial development on a lot right
next door or across the river from their

1123
01:35:05,840 --> 01:35:10,480
neighbors residential lot with a single
family home,

1124
01:35:09,280 --> 01:35:15,120
that neighbor's property value would
most certainly be adversely affected in

1125
01:35:12,320 --> 01:35:17,760
a very material way. Finally, I want to
draw attention to the degree of support

1126
01:35:16,480 --> 01:35:22,000
that's been achieved with this zoning
effort. This CICD effort has met the

1127
01:35:20,320 --> 01:35:26,800
statutory requirement for signatures of
over 60% of the affected property owners

1128
01:35:24,159 --> 01:35:31,679
in support of the CIZDS which is why we
are here today. Achieving greater than

1129
01:35:29,520 --> 01:35:35,440
60% is a very compelling threshold
that's been achieved and I suspect it

1130
01:35:33,679 --> 01:35:39,040
was set by the legislature with exactly
that in mind

1131
01:35:37,440 --> 01:35:42,719
so that when a county grants the
petitioner's request it's not being

1132
01:35:41,040 --> 01:35:47,760
arbitrary and capriccious as it's
responding to a very compelling number

1133
01:35:45,199 --> 01:35:50,880
of people who support the petition. The
legislature deemed 60% to be a

1134
01:35:49,440 --> 01:35:55,679
sufficient number of affected owners to
petition for citizen initiated zoning

1135
01:35:52,960 --> 01:36:00,560
and the petitions have met that bar.
I'll close by saying two more quick

1136
01:35:57,520 --> 01:36:04,800
things. One, it is very rare for any
decision that requires people to sign a

1137
01:36:02,400 --> 01:36:10,400
petition or vote in an election of any
kind whereby one side receives more than

1138
01:36:08,000 --> 01:36:14,880
60% in support.
This is democracy and action with a very

1139
01:36:12,239 --> 01:36:18,159
compelling result. And two, I hope and
pray that you will see the CICD

1140
01:36:16,560 --> 01:36:21,920
regulations
that they support the public interest or

1141
01:36:19,840 --> 01:36:25,600
convenience and vote yes in support of
the CISD petition. Thank you for

1142
01:36:24,239 --> 01:36:28,760
allowing me to have the opportunity to
speak today.

1143
01:36:31,280 --> 01:36:39,679
» My name is Delio. I live at 101 Sheet
Mountain Road in the Sheep Mountain

1144
01:36:38,080 --> 01:36:46,159
District.
Um, I fully support

1145
01:36:43,120 --> 01:36:50,480
uh the zoning in these three districts
without question. And I also have

1146
01:36:48,719 --> 01:36:55,199
statement to read from somebody else if
I'm allowed

1147
01:36:52,880 --> 01:36:59,760
to whom it may concern. My name is
Darnell Schulty, a resident of Madison

1148
01:36:57,840 --> 01:37:03,440
County, Montana.
I am a Madison County Forester, but I am

1149
01:37:02,000 --> 01:37:07,440
writing this as a resident of the
county, and my thoughts are expressly my

1150
01:37:05,280 --> 01:37:12,159
own and reflect in no way those of
Madison County. I would like to express

1151
01:37:10,159 --> 01:37:17,600
my concerns about the continuing growth
in Madison County.

1152
01:37:14,800 --> 01:37:22,000
One, continued rapid growth, especially
in the remoter areas of our county,

1153
01:37:19,920 --> 01:37:26,480
bring with it several concerns that I
have as a volunteer fireman. Water is

1154
01:37:24,639 --> 01:37:31,040
becoming larger and larger issue across
the west, not only for wildland fire

1155
01:37:28,560 --> 01:37:36,880
suppression, but for residential and
commercial use as well. Our continuing

1156
01:37:33,760 --> 01:37:41,360
drought cycle coupled with lengthening
fire seasons poses a very serious

1157
01:37:39,520 --> 01:37:46,000
challenge for the safety of our citizens
and their homes.

1158
01:37:43,199 --> 01:37:50,719
Travel time to more remote areas brings
with it increased quote unquote wear and

1159
01:37:48,159 --> 01:37:53,719
tear on our emergency vehicles and first
responders.

1160
01:37:54,080 --> 01:38:02,320
travel time. Uh
sorry, uh will homes and dwellings in

1161
01:38:00,239 --> 01:38:07,360
these area be built with or be required
to use firewise building materials and

1162
01:38:04,719 --> 01:38:11,040
practices? These materials and practices
will significantly increase the

1163
01:38:09,280 --> 01:38:15,920
survivability of buildings across the
county. In fact, in the event of a large

1164
01:38:13,760 --> 01:38:21,679
fire, such as the current Sand Creek
fire in Beaverhead County, areas built

1165
01:38:19,199 --> 01:38:24,560
uh and maintained to these standards can
increase safety zones for first

1166
01:38:23,040 --> 01:38:29,760
responders.
My final concern is road maintenance and

1167
01:38:27,040 --> 01:38:34,480
uh access to more remote areas within
the county. I feel that county road

1168
01:38:31,840 --> 01:38:39,679
maintenance groups are doing uh a great
job right now, but as always, things can

1169
01:38:36,639 --> 01:38:43,760
improve. With additional miles added to
their workload and budgets, they will be

1170
01:38:41,600 --> 01:38:47,119
able to maintain them to a standard that
allows safe and rapid access for

1171
01:38:45,360 --> 01:38:52,320
emergency vehicles and evacuation of
residents if needed. I guess this all

1172
01:38:50,080 --> 01:38:57,360
boils down to a question of money.
Additional growth uh generally equals

1173
01:38:54,800 --> 01:39:01,840
more of everything to maintain roads,
emergency vehicles, continued recruiting

1174
01:38:59,119 --> 01:39:06,000
of first responders, etc.
Uh some of the current well-intentioned

1175
01:39:03,760 --> 01:39:10,560
homeowner groups uh in the county have
put in place building requirements that

1176
01:39:07,600 --> 01:39:17,360
do not match or are in direct conflict
with smart building practices in the

1177
01:39:12,880 --> 01:39:22,800
wildland urban interface WUI.
Uh this is what essentially will uh all

1178
01:39:20,320 --> 01:39:27,679
growth outside of a town uh is in
Madison County. Now I feel the growing

1179
01:39:25,360 --> 01:39:31,440
issue of wildland urban interface and
growth should be uh carefully studied

1180
01:39:29,600 --> 01:39:36,000
and thoughtful careful consideration be
brought to bear on any proposed growth

1181
01:39:34,159 --> 01:39:40,000
within the county. This would help
alleviate the issues I've identified

1182
01:39:37,760 --> 01:39:44,440
above and hopefully the ones I haven't
addressed as well. Thank you for your

1183
01:39:41,440 --> 01:39:44,440
time.

1184
01:39:45,679 --> 01:39:50,600
» I apologize I forgot to drop off my

1185
01:39:54,400 --> 01:39:58,440
multiple copies. There you go. Sorry.

1186
01:40:05,600 --> 01:40:08,840
» Thank you.

1187
01:40:11,679 --> 01:40:16,960
» Thank you, commissioners. It's a It's a
pleasure to be here and listen to

1188
01:40:14,639 --> 01:40:22,639
everybody's opinions [clears throat] as
a leader in

1189
01:40:19,600 --> 01:40:27,119
in business and in life. I come to
understand that sometimes you make

1190
01:40:24,400 --> 01:40:31,760
decisions that are tough and sometimes
you don't make decisions and there's

1191
01:40:28,800 --> 01:40:39,679
unintended consequences of not making a
decision. So, I'd like to make a couple

1192
01:40:34,480 --> 01:40:47,119
of comments. I live uh right at 1511
highway 287 right at Lion's Bridge.

1193
01:40:44,560 --> 01:40:52,239
So, I want to create a vision for you.
When you first come into Inennis from

1194
01:40:50,480 --> 01:40:56,639
the north,
I want you to think about that. What do

1195
01:40:54,560 --> 01:41:00,840
you see?
What are the first things you see?

1196
01:41:00,960 --> 01:41:07,679
Junkyards,
buildings that are falling apart. What

1197
01:41:04,800 --> 01:41:13,280
is that impression that you get? You
know, unregulated outside storage,

1198
01:41:11,520 --> 01:41:18,960
no zoning.
Now you're going over Reynolds Pass. Do

1199
01:41:16,320 --> 01:41:23,520
you want to see those sorts of things in
the future?

1200
01:41:21,199 --> 01:41:27,520
It's something to really think about
because

1201
01:41:25,119 --> 01:41:35,119
the unintended consequences are coming
our way. Our populations exploding.

1202
01:41:31,679 --> 01:41:41,440
We have outside investment.
Money generated other places not in our

1203
01:41:38,480 --> 01:41:46,159
community. Investing in our community
that's increasing the cost for

1204
01:41:42,960 --> 01:41:53,199
everybody. Our land values have risen
faster than the infrastructure we have.

1205
01:41:49,840 --> 01:41:57,280
Over time, individual unregulated
property decisions

1206
01:41:55,280 --> 01:42:03,440
gradually damage the character and
scenery that made Madison Valley so

1207
01:42:00,080 --> 01:42:09,920
valuable to all of us.
Incompatible uses

1208
01:42:06,239 --> 01:42:16,040
end up side by side like a truck stop in
an RV park next to an egg facility.

1209
01:42:13,040 --> 01:42:16,040
development

1210
01:42:16,560 --> 01:42:28,800
causes not only destroys visual and
environmental issues, but it creates

1211
01:42:23,440 --> 01:42:33,199
traffic and and uh road expansion costs.
And as mentioned previously, the water

1212
01:42:30,719 --> 01:42:41,040
resources are impacted,
wildlife corridors impacted,

1213
01:42:36,000 --> 01:42:47,360
land speculation already going ahead.
If you if you can't help but miss the

1214
01:42:43,600 --> 01:42:53,040
threetory development on Main Street
that can't be sold,

1215
01:42:50,480 --> 01:42:58,080
can you imagine that? Can you create a
vision for that going over Reynolds

1216
01:42:55,280 --> 01:43:03,600
Pass? Yes, we have property right
conflicts, but if we don't do anything,

1217
01:43:00,719 --> 01:43:09,040
the unintended consequences
are there's going to be lawsuits,

1218
01:43:06,239 --> 01:43:14,320
more ordinances, more time, more
restricted covenants because we didn't

1219
01:43:11,679 --> 01:43:19,920
do anything. I think it's important to
vote for these zoning issues to protect

1220
01:43:16,719 --> 01:43:26,560
our valley, the countyy's scenic scenic
character, protect tourism and our egg,

1221
01:43:23,520 --> 01:43:32,719
protect our water, and keep our spaces
open in an organized manner. Or we can

1222
01:43:30,080 --> 01:43:36,880
choose to do nothing.
Yes, commissioners, this is a very hard

1223
01:43:34,880 --> 01:43:41,440
decision,
but doing nothing will have consequences

1224
01:43:39,040 --> 01:43:48,480
that last for generations.
And we can't. The tide is coming up and

1225
01:43:45,520 --> 01:43:52,639
we're going to get swamped. Population's
increasing. Outside influence is

1226
01:43:50,719 --> 01:43:56,320
increasing. And if we're going to
protect the collective value of our

1227
01:43:54,400 --> 01:44:01,360
valley, we have to adopt these
initiatives. So, dear commissioners, the

1228
01:43:58,880 --> 01:44:07,360
decision you make today sets the stage
for our future, not just for today or

1229
01:44:05,360 --> 01:44:11,600
next year, but for our grandchildren.
Thank you very much.

1230
01:44:08,960 --> 01:44:15,280
» What's your name? John White,
>> thank you.

1231
01:44:13,520 --> 01:44:21,000
» Does the commission want rebuttals after
public comment online or would you

1232
01:44:17,440 --> 01:44:21,000
accept one now?

1233
01:44:21,360 --> 01:44:25,080
» Public comment.
>> Okay.

1234
01:44:32,239 --> 01:44:36,320
» Quick time out.
>> At some point, we're going to take a

1235
01:44:35,199 --> 01:44:38,800
recess.
>> Yeah.

1236
01:44:36,800 --> 01:44:42,280
» If I sit here for nine hours, I'm going
to die. Yeah,

1237
01:44:42,880 --> 01:44:47,280
» this lady.
>> I think that's a good idea.

1238
01:44:45,520 --> 01:44:50,520
» Great idea.
>> Thank you.

1239
01:44:51,520 --> 01:44:59,760
» N Commissioner Gilman, Justin Bmer, 777
East Main Street here on behalf of the

1240
01:44:58,159 --> 01:45:03,760
petitioners,
including those who are members of

1241
01:45:01,360 --> 01:45:09,040
preserve rains past.
My comments today incorporate by

1242
01:45:06,080 --> 01:45:14,800
reference the September 1st, 2026 letter
in support of the CIZDS that was

1243
01:45:11,679 --> 01:45:18,480
submitted via email yesterday. And given
the limited time for my comments today,

1244
01:45:17,040 --> 01:45:22,159
I want to make sure those were made a
part of the record for this hearing. Can

1245
01:45:20,639 --> 01:45:25,520
you all confirm you received that
letter?

1246
01:45:24,480 --> 01:45:28,239
» That's what they included in
>> it was incorporated in motion.

1247
01:45:27,119 --> 01:45:34,320
» Okay. [clears throat] I just wanted to
make sure. Right. it.

1248
01:45:30,639 --> 01:45:38,880
I just um that letter the written public
comments and the public comment today in

1249
01:45:36,239 --> 01:45:43,600
support of this citizen initiated zoning
district regulation development pattern

1250
01:45:40,960 --> 01:45:47,679
and map demonstrate the public interest
requires adoption of the proposed CACD

1251
01:45:45,840 --> 01:45:53,520
and regulation.
The zoning regulation itself makes clear

1252
01:45:51,119 --> 01:45:58,080
it to protect the rural residential and
agricultural character of the area. the

1253
01:45:56,480 --> 01:46:02,480
existing development pattern included in
the regulation and given the limited

1254
01:46:00,480 --> 01:46:06,320
public services and scarce water
resources available which you've heard

1255
01:46:04,560 --> 01:46:11,119
about.
To be clear, for the record, the

1256
01:46:07,920 --> 01:46:16,159
applicable statute 762101
requires only the public interest or

1257
01:46:13,920 --> 01:46:20,880
convenience be demonstrated to adopt the
zoning district, not both. And I

1258
01:46:19,360 --> 01:46:26,000
mentioned this in response to the staff
report and the findings required to

1259
01:46:22,560 --> 01:46:30,719
adopt the CD.
It looks like there is an attempt to

1260
01:46:27,600 --> 01:46:34,480
over complicate this decision today in
terms of the public comment and the

1261
01:46:32,320 --> 01:46:39,280
staff report. And again, the decision is
whether the CICD or in the public

1262
01:46:36,480 --> 01:46:43,840
interest or convenience. There's no and
and criteria beyond what is required by

1263
01:46:41,360 --> 01:46:47,600
Montana law cannot be added through
definitions of public interest or public

1264
01:46:45,760 --> 01:46:54,159
convenience, but neither one of those
are defined by statute. And the 15 the

1265
01:46:51,840 --> 01:46:57,920
list of 15 questions in the staff report
are also beyond what is required by

1266
01:46:55,840 --> 01:47:02,080
statute. A number of people in the
public have also asked you to consider

1267
01:46:59,600 --> 01:47:05,600
things that are beyond what is provided
in the statute and they do not apply to

1268
01:47:04,080 --> 01:47:09,119
your decision regarding the quested
CICD.

1269
01:47:07,199 --> 01:47:13,840
The cumulative impact of one, two, or
three separate zoning districts on

1270
01:47:11,679 --> 01:47:19,440
Reel's pass is also not among the
criteria adopted by the legislature for

1271
01:47:17,040 --> 01:47:23,679
you to consider when looking at the
CICD.

1272
01:47:21,360 --> 01:47:28,400
The same is true for the capacity of
administration and enforcement and you

1273
01:47:25,679 --> 01:47:32,880
have the authority to levy
which is intended for this very purpose.

1274
01:47:31,520 --> 01:47:36,400
All these considerations are simply
outside the scope of authority granted

1275
01:47:34,320 --> 01:47:41,040
to you by statute and that is clear from
the staff report and we agree the county

1276
01:47:38,880 --> 01:47:45,600
only has the authority granted to it by
statute

1277
01:47:42,800 --> 01:47:50,239
and the statute only requires 40 acres.
You have much more than that in these

1278
01:47:47,440 --> 01:47:56,239
zoning districts. The criteria only
require a petition of 60%. You have as

1279
01:47:53,199 --> 01:47:59,760
much or more of these zoning districts.
And in terms of public lands, that

1280
01:47:57,920 --> 01:48:05,280
section isn't even triggered until the
land is sold or transferred

1281
01:48:02,480 --> 01:48:09,600
and becomes private. So that's not an
issue.

1282
01:48:07,760 --> 01:48:14,639
In addition to statute, you must
consider the wealth of public comment in

1283
01:48:12,080 --> 01:48:19,280
support of the CIZD. The Montana
Constitution at Article 2 Section 8

1284
01:48:17,679 --> 01:48:24,080
provides that the public has the right
to expect governmental agencies such as

1285
01:48:22,159 --> 01:48:28,400
the county to afford reasonable
opportunity for citizen participation

1286
01:48:25,920 --> 01:48:32,000
prior to their final decision and the
public participation statutes

1287
01:48:30,080 --> 01:48:36,639
contemplating more than just eliciting
this eliciting this comment. You must

1288
01:48:34,880 --> 01:48:41,199
address the com comments in your
decision making today and the pertinent

1289
01:48:39,280 --> 01:48:44,480
facts upon which you are basing your
decision.

1290
01:48:42,719 --> 01:48:49,760
This is in order to facilitate judicial
review if it came to that. You also have

1291
01:48:47,440 --> 01:48:53,760
an obligation and required by law to act
in substantial compliance with your

1292
01:48:51,440 --> 01:48:58,639
growth policy. And you've heard numerous
ways in which the CICD are consistent

1293
01:48:56,320 --> 01:49:02,400
with your growth policy.
In fact, the county's own growth policy

1294
01:49:00,320 --> 01:49:07,040
with respect to this area require
supportive zoning efforts.

1295
01:49:05,280 --> 01:49:11,920
In terms of whether the zoning districts
are contiguous due to state highways, I

1296
01:49:09,760 --> 01:49:16,080
did the legal research and in Montana,
roads and highways are not considered a

1297
01:49:13,679 --> 01:49:20,960
barrier to establishing contiguity. The
citations are in that letter.

1298
01:49:18,719 --> 01:49:26,320
You have the authority to adopt the CICD
regulations development pattern as is or

1299
01:49:23,600 --> 01:49:31,119
to amend or modify them. According to
the statute, section 762101 only

1300
01:49:29,520 --> 01:49:36,159
requires that they be similar to the
drafts provided to the county, not

1301
01:49:33,280 --> 01:49:36,159
identif

1302
01:49:36,400 --> 01:49:41,760
And finally, the staff report also
included questions and comments about

1303
01:49:39,760 --> 01:49:46,639
the specific provisions of the zoning
regulations that were applicable to all

1304
01:49:43,760 --> 01:49:51,280
three. Exhibit A, the letter I
submitted, addresses those questions and

1305
01:49:49,040 --> 01:49:54,719
comments and are also applicable to all
three. If you haven't read that yet, I

1306
01:49:53,119 --> 01:49:59,040
encourage you to do so before making a
decision so you have that.

1307
01:49:57,199 --> 01:50:03,679
In conclusion, the state via the
legislature conveyed the power to

1308
01:50:00,880 --> 01:50:08,639
petition for zoning to the citizens and
the authority to adopt zoning to you the

1309
01:50:06,719 --> 01:50:12,800
county based on the part one zoning
statutes. Zoning statutes are designed

1310
01:50:11,520 --> 01:50:17,280
for the purpose of furthering the
health, safety, and general welfare of

1311
01:50:14,639 --> 01:50:20,960
the county. Thus, the part one zoning
statutes are to be afforded liberal

1312
01:50:18,880 --> 01:50:26,239
construction with a view toward
accomplishing their highly beneficial

1313
01:50:23,119 --> 01:50:30,320
objective, which is to adopt zoning. and
you have some discretion, but that

1314
01:50:28,480 --> 01:50:35,520
discretion must be tempered by an
exercise within the statutory framework

1315
01:50:32,639 --> 01:50:39,679
provided by the legislature.
The affected property owners followed

1316
01:50:36,960 --> 01:50:45,440
these statutes in proposing the CICD and
you asked for the signatures

1317
01:50:42,480 --> 01:50:49,119
been given signatures of more than 65%
for this particular zoning district and

1318
01:50:47,679 --> 01:50:54,560
those I'll make clear the public
interest requires adoption of the CACD.

1319
01:50:52,880 --> 01:50:59,840
Based on the record in front of you
today, you arguably have the authority

1320
01:50:57,360 --> 01:51:06,159
to adopt the CICD in the public
interest. And based on the record, a

1321
01:51:03,040 --> 01:51:09,440
decision not to adopt the zoning would
arguably be so lacking in fact and

1322
01:51:08,080 --> 01:51:14,320
foundation, it would clearly be
unreasonable and an abuse of discretion.

1323
01:51:12,800 --> 01:51:17,360
As demonstrated in my letter and in the
testimony of the petitioners in the

1324
01:51:15,840 --> 01:51:21,600
written comments as well as the comment
you'll hear today, the petitioners have

1325
01:51:19,520 --> 01:51:26,560
met their burden per the statute and
they respectfully request that you adopt

1326
01:51:23,199 --> 01:51:30,080
the CICD. Thank you.
>> What was your name again?

1327
01:51:28,000 --> 01:51:35,520
» Jessen, would you like me to spell it?
>> Yeah,

1328
01:51:30,400 --> 01:51:40,719
» it's in the letter. J E C Y N. Last name
B R E M E R.

1329
01:51:39,119 --> 01:51:44,480
» Okay.
Thank you. Of course.

1330
01:51:42,719 --> 01:51:47,480
Okay, with that we'll take a five minute
recess.

1331
01:51:57,840 --> 01:52:01,080
» I'm let

1332
01:52:09,199 --> 01:52:13,119
go ahead sir when you're ready.

1333
01:52:16,719 --> 01:52:28,080
My name is Glenn Patrick and I am
representing LLA Homestead LLC.

1334
01:52:23,280 --> 01:52:33,440
Uh we own land in the area
do not agree with the zoning.

1335
01:52:31,360 --> 01:52:42,320
Um
there's a lot of emphasis put on 60% of

1336
01:52:36,880 --> 01:52:46,880
the people miss agreed with this
zoning.

1337
01:52:44,080 --> 01:52:52,000
I guess I would suggest that those 60%
let's just keep the zone put the zone on

1338
01:52:50,080 --> 01:53:00,480
those 60 people that agreed with it and
leave the rest of us to uh go ahead and

1339
01:52:56,080 --> 01:53:07,760
use our land as we to fit.
Um, a lot of emphasis has been put on

1340
01:53:04,320 --> 01:53:13,280
wildlife, maintaining the wildlife.
I don't know how many of you people were

1341
01:53:09,280 --> 01:53:22,080
here 50 years ago, but 50 years ago,
there was no houses out there. It was

1342
01:53:17,280 --> 01:53:27,280
part of a big ranch in which my boy's
family operated.

1343
01:53:24,239 --> 01:53:32,960
it was sub subdivided and this is only a
small part of that whole subdivision on

1344
01:53:29,280 --> 01:53:37,920
that side of of the highway. So putting
in a small zone division right there,

1345
01:53:36,639 --> 01:53:44,239
right smack in the middle of it that
isn't going to um affect the wildlife. I

1346
01:53:41,920 --> 01:53:48,719
think the effect on the wildlife has
been

1347
01:53:45,760 --> 01:53:53,040
already the damage has been done and I
don't think there's a whole lot you can

1348
01:53:50,000 --> 01:54:01,199
do to to uh
solve that problem. But, uh,

1349
01:53:57,679 --> 01:54:06,000
I guess if if there's 60% of the people
that want that zoning, get it on their

1350
01:54:04,080 --> 01:54:11,040
land and let them live with the
decisions and the requirements they put

1351
01:54:08,320 --> 01:54:18,320
on themselves, not put the requirements
on other people that not favor this.

1352
01:54:14,880 --> 01:54:22,960
It's uh the private land owners just
like them. They should be able to do

1353
01:54:19,679 --> 01:54:29,199
what they want with their land. Um, of
course you guys have some restrictions

1354
01:54:25,360 --> 01:54:33,360
that you're responsible for, but that
can kind of,

1355
01:54:32,000 --> 01:54:38,400
you know, maybe ease some of the
problems on some of these large

1356
01:54:35,280 --> 01:54:43,119
developments. But, um,
we oppose the the zoning and, uh, we

1357
01:54:41,599 --> 01:54:46,760
appreciate the work that you guys are
doing here. So,

1358
01:54:51,280 --> 01:54:59,480
My name is Marina Smith and I live at
141 Elk Meadows Ranch Road.

1359
01:55:00,080 --> 01:55:10,639
43 years ago, I drove off the Norris
Hill and dropped into Massel Valley.

1360
01:55:07,199 --> 01:55:16,880
Fell in love instantly. It was wild, hug
open, pristine, and felt like home.

1361
01:55:14,880 --> 01:55:21,679
was a brighteyed student at Montana
State University pursuing a degree in

1362
01:55:19,760 --> 01:55:28,880
range science.
Montana was dubbed the last best place

1363
01:55:24,960 --> 01:55:33,760
in 1988 when the literary anthology was
published and the title represents a

1364
01:55:31,360 --> 01:55:40,239
deep pride among Montans who believe
that we lived in one of the last truly

1365
01:55:36,560 --> 01:55:46,000
wild places on earth. Montana has always
celebrated vast open spaces

1366
01:55:43,119 --> 01:55:51,599
of natural beauty and an independent way
of life which values a strong sense of

1367
01:55:48,639 --> 01:55:56,560
community and an unparalleled
quality of life.

1368
01:55:54,400 --> 01:56:02,239
It was these very attributes that led me
to the Reynolds Pass area where I now

1369
01:55:59,360 --> 01:56:07,679
manage two large conservation ranches
and have done so for the past 28 years.

1370
01:56:05,520 --> 01:56:13,760
It was the remoteness and the challenges
that Reynolds Pass represented that drew

1371
01:56:10,400 --> 01:56:19,199
me to live in this area made me proud to
call it home. The ranches I manage have

1372
01:56:16,719 --> 01:56:24,000
always actively supported wildlife and
agriculture and we've developed close

1373
01:56:21,679 --> 01:56:28,800
working relationships with several
generational ranching families that we

1374
01:56:26,159 --> 01:56:33,119
leave summer pasture to and thus help to
support.

1375
01:56:30,320 --> 01:56:37,040
We enrolled 8,500 acres in black
management in an effort to support

1376
01:56:34,960 --> 01:56:41,920
public hunting.
Through the course of my time on the

1377
01:56:38,480 --> 01:56:47,119
ranches, I've seen many changes, but the
most glaring change is that water that

1378
01:56:44,400 --> 01:56:52,560
was once plentiful is now becoming
alarmingly unpredictable.

1379
01:56:49,840 --> 01:56:58,560
After the unprecedented light winter of
last year, I watched with quiet alarm as

1380
01:56:55,760 --> 01:57:03,599
creeks that had never run dry failed to
run water. With no snow in the high

1381
01:57:01,360 --> 01:57:08,719
country to recharge the springs and
creeks, I was very concerned about what

1382
01:57:05,920 --> 01:57:13,760
the summer held. I decided to have a
static level test done on one well at

1383
01:57:11,520 --> 01:57:19,520
the home ranch.
The test showed that the [clears throat]

1384
01:57:15,520 --> 01:57:24,159
well had a total depth of 95 ft with a
static level of 15 ft, a flow of 40

1385
01:57:22,560 --> 01:57:30,400
gallons per minute at the time of
drilling in 1999.

1386
01:57:27,199 --> 01:57:37,040
is now at a static level of 70 ft with a
flow of 35 gallons per minute. One of

1387
01:57:33,679 --> 01:57:42,320
our groundwater fed ponds it in this
same area has always maintained a

1388
01:57:39,360 --> 01:57:47,199
consistent level and is now 2 and 1/2 ft
lower than it was just last year. It's

1389
01:57:45,520 --> 01:57:52,639
worth noting that we are the highest
water user on this particular drainage.

1390
01:57:51,119 --> 01:57:57,280
on our other ranch where we are the
lowest downstream water user and rely

1391
01:57:55,360 --> 01:58:02,560
exclusively on water brought out of the
mountains by ditches and water rights

1392
01:57:59,840 --> 01:58:08,080
that date back to 1888.
We find it extremely challenging to get

1393
01:58:05,360 --> 01:58:12,719
enough water. Every year it's a new
challenge and drilling wells to provide

1394
01:58:10,320 --> 01:58:17,119
water would be cost prohibitive as the
depths of the wells in this area can be

1395
01:58:15,280 --> 01:58:21,679
very deep.
There's no clear way of knowing what

1396
01:58:18,960 --> 01:58:26,960
Oxford is doing. But where we once had
an abundance of water, we have very

1397
01:58:23,679 --> 01:58:31,760
little. Without water, our ranch loses a
tremendous amount of value, not only to

1398
01:58:29,440 --> 01:58:36,239
us, but to the family whose cattle it
supports and to the wildlife that

1399
01:58:33,760 --> 01:58:42,320
utilize it and provide a huge economic
value to Madison County. Potential

1400
01:58:40,000 --> 01:58:47,920
commercial growth in this area can do
nothing but strain an already strained

1401
01:58:45,119 --> 01:58:53,360
aquifer.
It was said not long ago that our

1402
01:58:50,719 --> 01:58:59,599
efforts to zone Reynolds Pass were 40
years too late. I don't disagree,

1403
01:58:56,719 --> 01:59:05,520
but I ask you to allow me a few personal
analogies for your consideration.

1404
01:59:02,880 --> 01:59:09,840
I live in a 40-year-old house.
Occasionally, when it rains, I find

1405
01:59:07,679 --> 01:59:14,960
water on the floor of the utility room
of my finished basement. The tempting

1406
01:59:12,560 --> 01:59:20,239
thing to do when faced with yet another
problem would be to just ignore the

1407
01:59:17,520 --> 01:59:26,080
water, throw a towel on it, pretend it
hasn't happened. But that does not fix

1408
01:59:22,560 --> 01:59:31,679
the problem. And damage is most likely
occurring to my house as a result. The

1409
01:59:28,960 --> 01:59:37,760
best solution, the most uncomfortable
solution would be would be to dig out

1410
01:59:34,639 --> 01:59:43,440
the foundation, find the leak. Daunting
task to say the least. Remember me as I

1411
01:59:40,880 --> 01:59:48,159
present another scenario and I promise
to tie them together.

1412
01:59:46,480 --> 01:59:54,320
Several years ago, I found one of my
mares standing in the pasture, the front

1413
01:59:51,599 --> 01:59:59,920
of her hind leg peeled almost to the
bone from hawk to pasture.

1414
01:59:58,080 --> 02:00:05,520
With that sick feeling in the pit of my
stomach that all horse owners will

1415
02:00:02,320 --> 02:00:11,119
recognize, I ran and got a halter,
caught her up to assess the damage and

1416
02:00:08,080 --> 02:00:16,560
had to decide if doctoring her was an
option or if a wellplaced bullet might

1417
02:00:14,159 --> 02:00:20,800
be the best solution.
I made the decision to try to doctor

1418
02:00:18,639 --> 02:00:27,760
this mirror and hope that she would heal
sound and without a scar.

1419
02:00:24,000 --> 02:00:34,480
I religiously scrub proud f proud flesh
and change bandages on that leg every

1420
02:00:30,480 --> 02:00:40,719
single day for six months until a
personal tragedy brought me to my knees

1421
02:00:37,599 --> 02:00:46,239
and I simply could not do it any longer.
But she was almost completely healed

1422
02:00:42,960 --> 02:00:52,639
when I was forced to walk away.
Life often presents us with choices.

1423
02:00:49,280 --> 02:00:58,239
Choices which are not always easy. The
choice to do nothing when faced with a

1424
02:00:55,360 --> 02:01:02,880
challenge is always option. And while
the easy choices may be more

1425
02:01:00,719 --> 02:01:08,239
comfortable, they may not be the best
choices for the long run. I fully

1426
02:01:05,520 --> 02:01:13,199
recognize that zoning is new to Madison
County, but for that reason, it's an

1427
02:01:10,560 --> 02:01:17,360
unknown and less frightening and
uncomfortable.

1428
02:01:14,719 --> 02:01:22,239
I stand before you today and ask you to
not throw your hands up and say, "You're

1429
02:01:19,679 --> 02:01:27,760
40 years too late. Just forget about
trying to make a change for the better.

1430
02:01:25,040 --> 02:01:32,880
But I am instead asking you to please
make the difficult choice. Push the

1431
02:01:30,320 --> 02:01:38,719
envelope of what is known and
comfortable. Repair the house. Doctor

1432
02:01:36,000 --> 02:01:44,159
the horse. Preserve what is left of the
quality of life we hold so dear. Please

1433
02:01:41,520 --> 02:01:51,239
support the CICD before it's truly too
delayed. We still have a choice. Thank

1434
02:01:46,800 --> 02:01:51,239
you for your time and consideration.

1435
02:01:52,000 --> 02:02:01,000
Okay, we've run out of time for our
hearing of any more people would like to

1436
02:01:58,000 --> 02:02:01,000
testify.

1437
02:02:01,674 --> 02:02:06,719
[clears throat]
>> We'll take a second.

1438
02:02:03,920 --> 02:02:11,360
» People online
chairman David I think what you're going

1439
02:02:09,679 --> 02:02:15,119
to need to do it see this is obviously
important. There's a lot of people that

1440
02:02:13,280 --> 02:02:19,679
probably online still want to speak and
there people in the room that still want

1441
02:02:16,960 --> 02:02:25,440
to speak. Um so what what Mr. hour I
would suggest is that you continue the

1442
02:02:22,080 --> 02:02:31,280
public comment um to next Wednesday at
9:00 a.m. That'll give you an

1443
02:02:27,119 --> 02:02:35,599
opportunity to advertise the meeting. Um
and people can come back, people can

1444
02:02:33,360 --> 02:02:39,520
participate online, but then you're not
shutting off public comment. Everyone

1445
02:02:37,679 --> 02:02:42,480
participate.
>> Thank you for that. I'll entertain a

1446
02:02:41,280 --> 02:02:48,199
motion that
>> I would move to continue this till next

1447
02:02:44,480 --> 02:02:48,199
Wednesday at 9 o'clock.

1448
02:02:49,440 --> 02:02:56,159
I'll second that.
>> Okay. So, we have a motion and a second

1449
02:02:52,560 --> 02:02:59,960
to continue this hearing at 9:00 next
Wednesday. That's

1450
02:03:00,480 --> 02:03:05,280
9.
>> Correct.

1451
02:03:03,280 --> 02:03:08,480
» Yes. You just put it at 9. That way you
don't know what's going to happen with

1452
02:03:06,239 --> 02:03:12,560
the next few days and then that way you
can use Wednesday to accommodate any any

1453
02:03:10,480 --> 02:03:17,760
overflow time. Those are necessary as
well. I suggest publishing that on the

1454
02:03:15,199 --> 02:03:20,960
uh the county website.
Okay,

1455
02:03:18,639 --> 02:03:24,920
» there was a blood drive here.
>> Going to have to move in the basement

1456
02:03:27,280 --> 02:03:30,280
discussion.

1457
02:03:31,520 --> 02:03:34,520
» I

1458
02:03:35,520 --> 02:03:44,560
was encouraged that we'll continue this
hearing 9:00 next.

1459
02:03:42,400 --> 02:03:48,080
» Thank you all.
>> Clarification chairman. They still have

1460
02:03:46,320 --> 02:03:51,360
another two other districts.
>> Yes, we do. We have another We have

1461
02:03:49,760 --> 02:03:54,159
another hearing coming up. So, we got to
move on to that.

1462
02:03:52,560 --> 02:03:57,760
» Thank you, sir. Just quick question. So,
I assume those people who have spoke

1463
02:03:55,520 --> 02:04:04,560
will not have an opportunity to speak
again. That's or

1464
02:04:00,639 --> 02:04:08,400
is that [clears throat] reopened again?
>> Yeah, we'll open it up to public comment

1465
02:04:06,480 --> 02:04:11,119
again, then continue this hearing.
>> We can speak again to

1466
02:04:09,599 --> 02:04:15,950
» Yeah, because we're out of time for this
one. So, in fact, we have to move on to

1467
02:04:13,520 --> 02:04:19,920
our next one. So,
[clears throat] we'll do that.

1468
02:04:17,599 --> 02:04:23,199
» I think that'll be subject to the to the
rules that were set forth before. I

1469
02:04:21,599 --> 02:04:30,679
mean, if your comments are duplicative,
there's no need to to speak yet, but

1470
02:04:26,080 --> 02:04:30,679
it's just to allow full public out

1471
02:04:30,800 --> 02:04:34,440
the board.

1472
02:04:35,520 --> 02:04:40,800
» Okay. With that, we'll move on to our 11
a.m.

1473
02:04:39,920 --> 02:04:43,920
creation
>> answering a question at the back of the

1474
02:04:42,320 --> 02:04:48,119
room.
It's a totally separate proceeding.

1475
02:04:48,159 --> 02:04:54,920
» Never mind.
>> Next two hearings are

1476
02:04:51,920 --> 02:04:54,920
different.

1477
02:05:08,639 --> 02:05:11,960
So, can I

1478
02:05:17,760 --> 02:05:20,920
have that?

1479
02:05:25,199 --> 02:05:28,199
» Yeah.

1480
02:05:38,400 --> 02:05:46,639
Okay, we'll move on to the next hearing.
The pronghorn meadow sits in the city

1481
02:05:44,560 --> 02:05:52,960
zone district.
I'll open the hearing at 11:07. So,

1482
02:05:50,880 --> 02:05:58,400
we're ready for public comment.
>> I move initially and move to incorporate

1483
02:05:55,520 --> 02:06:03,119
all written comment received uh related
to this subject into the record.

1484
02:06:00,560 --> 02:06:07,840
» Okay. Second that. Okay, we have a
motion second to all

1485
02:06:06,560 --> 02:06:15,639
record [clears throat]
any further discussion hearing. None

1486
02:06:12,639 --> 02:06:15,639
» I

1487
02:06:16,719 --> 02:06:20,119
motion carries.

1488
02:06:21,199 --> 02:06:27,280
» Hello, my name is KZ. I'm a property
owner in Rel's Pass as well as executive

1489
02:06:25,520 --> 02:06:31,599
director of Preserve Rain's Pass in
Montana nonprofit 501c3.

1490
02:06:30,239 --> 02:06:35,920
First and foremost, thank you
commissioners and county staff for your

1491
02:06:33,280 --> 02:06:40,400
work with the rain community for over
three years on these planning and zoning

1492
02:06:37,760 --> 02:06:44,320
efforts. The post citizen initiated
zoning districts in front of you today

1493
02:06:42,159 --> 02:06:48,567
represent this multi-year effort by
Rain's past property owners to protect

1494
02:06:46,320 --> 02:06:51,119
their future and her property.
>> [clears throat]

1495
02:06:48,639 --> 02:06:55,440
» Everyone in this room, those joining us
online, and those citizens who couldn't

1496
02:06:53,520 --> 02:07:00,480
participate today have a keen interest
in their future, their family's future

1497
02:06:57,840 --> 02:07:04,320
in the future of Madison County. That
shared interest is our common ground.

1498
02:07:02,719 --> 02:07:08,480
And there is no better common ground
from which to respectful request the

1499
02:07:06,639 --> 02:07:13,679
Madison County Commissioners approve the
Ponghorn Meadows citizen initiated

1500
02:07:10,800 --> 02:07:17,119
zoning district for you today. Due to
the similarity of the Randos Pass area,

1501
02:07:15,440 --> 02:07:22,159
its rural residential pattern of
development, landscapes, wildlife, water

1502
02:07:19,920 --> 02:07:25,760
concerns, and surrounding pressures for
commercial development, the data and

1503
02:07:24,239 --> 02:07:30,320
relevant comments you hear today
regarding Bronborn Meadows, and the two

1504
02:07:27,920 --> 02:07:34,320
other CICD and Rails Pass may appear
duplicative, but the data and comments

1505
02:07:32,480 --> 02:07:38,400
are true for each critically located
CICD.

1506
02:07:35,840 --> 02:07:43,599
Each CP before you today is necessary
for the public interest or convenience

1507
02:07:40,400 --> 02:07:48,800
and here for much of the public comment.
Consider this. In our lifetime, we've

1508
02:07:46,320 --> 02:07:53,440
seen a good deal of change. Farms and
ranchers use heavy equipment instead of

1509
02:07:50,639 --> 02:07:57,440
plow horses and mules. Internet access
allows people to work anywhere,

1510
02:07:55,199 --> 02:08:01,760
including more desirable rural locations
like Madison County.

1511
02:07:59,760 --> 02:08:06,639
Big Sky sprang from forested public
lands and scrub brush ranches became a

1512
02:08:04,400 --> 02:08:10,719
skiill community and is now host to
commercial and resort development.

1513
02:08:08,719 --> 02:08:14,880
Multi-million dollar homes and movie
stars spilling into Madison County.

1514
02:08:13,199 --> 02:08:19,840
There's no infrastructure to support
this scale of development in Rain's past

1515
02:08:17,040 --> 02:08:23,760
now or in the future.
Montana's population has more than

1516
02:08:21,599 --> 02:08:31,199
doubled from 477,000
in 1945 to 1,144

1517
02:08:28,239 --> 02:08:36,000
694 in 2025.
In our children's lifetime, the greater

1518
02:08:33,119 --> 02:08:40,239
Yellowstone ecosystems population where
Madison County sits at the heart and

1519
02:08:37,760 --> 02:08:45,520
host the Missouri red headarters is
forecasted to reach between 763,000

1520
02:08:43,599 --> 02:08:49,679
and 846,000
by 2050 to60.

1521
02:08:48,400 --> 02:08:54,719
where these people live and the
corresponding impacts to Madison County

1522
02:08:51,599 --> 02:08:59,280
are what is on the table today. Today
you have the opportunity based upon the

1523
02:08:56,719 --> 02:09:05,599
petition of a supermajority of citizens
and the pro proposed pong horn meadow cd

1524
02:09:03,679 --> 02:09:10,560
to protect the agricultural and rural
residential character of this area of

1525
02:09:07,760 --> 02:09:14,880
reolds pass. You can tip the scale and
favor the effect of property owner's

1526
02:09:12,320 --> 02:09:20,719
quality of life by adopting the Ponghorn
Meadow CICD which will protect this

1527
02:09:17,599 --> 02:09:25,760
limited natural resources, water,
wildlife, wildlife habitat, agriculture

1528
02:09:23,119 --> 02:09:31,280
and open space and sustain our economic
drivers of agriculture, hunting, fishing

1529
02:09:28,719 --> 02:09:37,040
and tourism. These are the reasons the
prong Meadow CICD is necessary for the

1530
02:09:34,000 --> 02:09:43,280
public interest. The Montana legislature
created the CIC tool in 1953 for

1531
02:09:40,400 --> 02:09:47,040
citizens to petition for zoning. Those
representatives understood the citizens

1532
02:09:45,199 --> 02:09:52,719
right to and interest in protecting
their property. In an August 13, 2024

1533
02:09:50,719 --> 02:09:56,560
public meeting of the commission, they
said that they would like to see

1534
02:09:53,920 --> 02:10:00,800
signatures for zoning. Again, a super
majority of those signatures have been

1535
02:09:58,320 --> 02:10:04,719
provided. Today the community of the
proposed pong horn meadow CACD asked the

1536
02:10:03,199 --> 02:10:08,960
commission to adopt the citizen
initiated zoning district and the

1537
02:10:06,880 --> 02:10:13,199
proposed land use planning regulations
which protect the existing agricultural

1538
02:10:11,520 --> 02:10:18,639
and rural residential development
pattern existing uses and allow citizens

1539
02:10:16,079 --> 02:10:23,199
to request exceptions to and amend the
regulations. This is in the public

1540
02:10:20,800 --> 02:10:27,679
interest or convenience. The Prong
Hormet CICD and zoning development

1541
02:10:25,440 --> 02:10:33,679
pattern and use is clearly adhered to
and are consistent with the 2025 Madison

1542
02:10:30,320 --> 02:10:39,760
growth policy land use objectives.
MC3 preserve existing open space and

1543
02:10:36,239 --> 02:10:44,639
protect valuable agricultural land. MC4
plan for responsible, reasonable and

1544
02:10:41,760 --> 02:10:49,520
managed growth and development. MC5
protect the public health and safety of

1545
02:10:46,400 --> 02:10:55,520
county residents. MC6 support zoning
efforts. MC7, protect private property

1546
02:10:52,480 --> 02:11:01,119
rights, and MC8, encourage municipal
growth versus urban sprawl. And the 2025

1547
02:10:59,119 --> 02:11:07,119
Madison County growth policy environment
objectives are MC9, protect wildlife

1548
02:11:04,320 --> 02:11:12,719
habitat, MC10, preserve natural
resources, and protect water resources.

1549
02:11:09,760 --> 02:11:17,280
MC11 support growth in agriculture,
forestry, recreation, and tourism, and

1550
02:11:15,360 --> 02:11:22,400
small service-based businesses in a
manner that does not impact established

1551
02:11:19,440 --> 02:11:26,079
residential communities. MC12
discouraged development that will

1552
02:11:23,760 --> 02:11:30,320
financially strain public services.
MC13, support infrastructure

1553
02:11:28,159 --> 02:11:35,199
improvements within incorporated and
unincorporated communities. For these

1554
02:11:33,119 --> 02:11:39,520
reasons, among others, the public's
interest or convenience require adoption

1555
02:11:37,040 --> 02:11:43,040
of the Prong Horn Meadow CICD and zoning
regulations.

1556
02:11:41,040 --> 02:11:47,119
The proposed regulations aim to protect
the Rain's past development pattern by

1557
02:11:44,960 --> 02:11:51,280
preventing high impact commercial
business from bringing high density

1558
02:11:49,280 --> 02:11:56,719
human activity to remote agricultural
and rural residential lands in this area

1559
02:11:54,000 --> 02:12:00,000
with little to no public infrastructure.
High density development and

1560
02:11:58,159 --> 02:12:04,880
corresponding population increase are
proven to disrupt wildlife, disrupt

1561
02:12:02,480 --> 02:12:08,880
wildlife quarters, increase consumption
of limited water resources, and

1562
02:12:06,719 --> 02:12:12,639
increased traffic, a public safety
hazard.

1563
02:12:10,880 --> 02:12:16,639
People are attracted to the rural lands
and access to the Madison River

1564
02:12:14,239 --> 02:12:20,400
available in Reynolds Pass. However,
more people on the banks and in the

1565
02:12:18,159 --> 02:12:24,880
waters of the Madison River and already
burdened fishery is not sustainable.

1566
02:12:22,960 --> 02:12:29,440
This river, the lifeblood of the Madison
Valley, provides an economic benefit to

1567
02:12:26,880 --> 02:12:33,360
a wide swath of the county and it is in
the public interest and necessity to

1568
02:12:31,199 --> 02:12:38,159
protect it. It is also in the public
interest and necessity to protect the

1569
02:12:34,960 --> 02:12:41,840
lands that surround it. Wildfire is on
top of mind every year and Reynolds Pass

1570
02:12:39,840 --> 02:12:46,639
has been fortunate this year. The
proposed CICD and regulations reinforce

1571
02:12:44,400 --> 02:12:51,760
Mount Madison County's fire hazard
mitigation practices and by containing

1572
02:12:49,199 --> 02:12:56,079
future parcel sizes at 40 acres
maintains density consistent with the

1573
02:12:53,599 --> 02:12:59,840
current development pattern. Maintaining
density at this level is critical given

1574
02:12:58,000 --> 02:13:04,159
the limited public resources in this
area of the county and their distance

1575
02:13:01,840 --> 02:13:08,639
from emergency service providers which
is definitely in the public interest or

1576
02:13:06,000 --> 02:13:15,239
convenience.
Montana's population has more than

1577
02:13:10,400 --> 02:13:15,239
doubled from four. Whoops. Went back.

1578
02:13:17,280 --> 02:13:24,000
The proposed Ponghorn Meadow CICD
regulations are forward-looking, not

1579
02:13:21,280 --> 02:13:27,360
retroactive. If adopted, land owners
will not be surprised by disruption of

1580
02:13:25,760 --> 02:13:32,560
their peaceful enjoyment of their land
by a casino, resort, hotel, or RV park,

1581
02:13:30,560 --> 02:13:37,520
or other high impact commercial use
completely at odds with the character of

1582
02:13:34,800 --> 02:13:41,920
this area. The CICD and zoning
regulations will provide a predictable

1583
02:13:39,360 --> 02:13:45,920
future. Some of these lands have
covenants, many of which prohibit

1584
02:13:43,760 --> 02:13:50,560
commercial activity, but may not be
effective at addressing the same impacts

1585
02:13:47,840 --> 02:13:53,920
as those addressed by the CIZD.
Citizens are aware from previous

1586
02:13:52,239 --> 02:13:57,360
development applications before the
planning board and commissioners that

1587
02:13:55,679 --> 02:14:01,119
the county cannot be involved in
covenant disputes.

1588
02:13:59,360 --> 02:14:05,520
Madison County does not currently have
tools to address impacts from land use.

1589
02:14:03,520 --> 02:14:10,320
It only has authority when subdivision
is proposed. The CICD is a tool to

1590
02:14:08,560 --> 02:14:14,320
address impacts from land uses that
adversely affect property owners.

1591
02:14:12,560 --> 02:14:19,280
Another reason why the public interest
or convenience require adoption of the

1592
02:14:16,560 --> 02:14:23,440
ponghorn meadow CICD.
Zoning has a long history in this

1593
02:14:21,119 --> 02:14:27,679
country to protect public health and
safety and welfare by separating

1594
02:14:25,199 --> 02:14:32,960
industrial and residential areas and
there is longstanding precedent for part

1595
02:14:29,599 --> 02:14:40,880
one zoning in Montana. We've identified
136 CIZD in Montana. For reference, 88%

1596
02:14:37,520 --> 02:14:44,639
of these CICDs do not bear CICD levies.
And for those that do, the levies are

1597
02:14:42,480 --> 02:14:49,760
typically 1% of a property's taxable
value. With these zoning regulations,

1598
02:14:47,520 --> 02:14:53,599
property owners within a CICD have a
chance to protect their property

1599
02:14:51,199 --> 02:14:58,079
interest. Please do what is clearly in
the public interest or convenience and

1600
02:14:55,599 --> 02:15:02,480
adopt the Prong Horn Meadow CICD and
regulations. Thank you, Kate.

1601
02:15:20,880 --> 02:15:24,800
Um
>> 30 seconds we were discussing um

1602
02:15:24,159 --> 02:15:28,079
» sign it
>> let me know when

1603
02:15:26,239 --> 02:15:33,520
» if there are new arrivals please make
sure that you sign in um if there is not

1604
02:15:30,639 --> 02:15:38,400
a sheet we'll take care of that okay
>> that way so

1605
02:15:36,239 --> 02:15:40,880
we will grab that one and then for the
next hearing

1606
02:15:41,599 --> 02:15:47,880
And then just write when you graph it on
there so you build the record correctly.

1607
02:15:48,079 --> 02:15:55,119
» Awesome. Hello againro,
our family owns property at Sage

1608
02:15:52,239 --> 02:15:58,079
Retroway in Cameron, Montana. Um, I
wanted to just extend sort of the

1609
02:15:56,639 --> 02:16:02,480
comments that I had made for the sheet
mountain varian, but also uh I wanted to

1610
02:16:00,480 --> 02:16:07,360
just sort of bring up corresponding
non-conformity numbers for this specific

1611
02:16:04,639 --> 02:16:10,880
district. Um, I find this p specific
district particularly interesting

1612
02:16:08,960 --> 02:16:15,440
because there are only seven parcels of
property contained within the boundaries

1613
02:16:12,960 --> 02:16:20,239
and not a single one meets the 40 acre
minimum acreage standard of the

1614
02:16:17,040 --> 02:16:24,079
regulation. Um, so one of those and also
one of those parcels is already

1615
02:16:21,840 --> 02:16:28,320
protected by conservation easement. So
in Pongghorn Meadows, the commission is

1616
02:16:26,239 --> 02:16:33,280
being asked to adopt a minimum acreage
standard that zero existing properties

1617
02:16:30,560 --> 02:16:37,920
can meet. Um that creates an additional
layer of regulatory burden for the

1618
02:16:34,800 --> 02:16:41,679
county in which we have the land owners
have a burden of proof to prove that

1619
02:16:40,160 --> 02:16:46,000
they have non-conforming properties
prior to the adoption of this regulation

1620
02:16:44,160 --> 02:16:50,479
and they have to maintain that proof
into perpetuity for all we know for the

1621
02:16:48,160 --> 02:16:53,920
next 50 years. So can we guarantee that
a property owner in 50 years their

1622
02:16:52,319 --> 02:16:58,559
children people who inherit the property
people who purchase the property in the

1623
02:16:55,519 --> 02:17:03,280
future will have access to that proof
going forward? Um, I [clears throat]

1624
02:17:00,479 --> 02:17:08,240
think it's a pretty clear example of how
these districts do not meet the

1625
02:17:05,840 --> 02:17:11,960
pre-existing development pattern of this
district. Thank you.

1626
02:17:14,399 --> 02:17:21,679
» Hi, Maline Mason, 97, Julie Gardav,
Boseman. Um, I come to you today not as

1627
02:17:20,479 --> 02:17:25,280
property owner, but simply as a
recreator of Madison County and Rains

1628
02:17:23,679 --> 02:17:28,639
Pass. I stand before you as part of the
Rains Pass community, a community of

1629
02:17:27,200 --> 02:17:32,399
people who welcome you in with open
arms. as I've joined in their advocacy

1630
02:17:30,319 --> 02:17:34,719
feel protected their area. Madison
County is a part of the greater

1631
02:17:33,280 --> 02:17:38,559
Yellowstone ecosystem, one of the
largest and million in fact tempered

1632
02:17:36,639 --> 02:17:42,160
zone ecosystems on Earth. Wildlife
flourishes here in unique and remarkable

1633
02:17:40,319 --> 02:17:45,439
fashion. This is meaningful to me as
someone who wishes to see much the

1634
02:17:43,359 --> 02:17:48,399
biodiversity today extend into the
future of tomorrow. And as someone whose

1635
02:17:46,960 --> 02:17:52,399
household depends on a freezer full of
game come winter.

1636
02:17:50,479 --> 02:17:55,599
The zoning district regulations prohibit
commercial development to limit high

1637
02:17:53,840 --> 02:17:58,880
density development as an effort to
preserve open landscapes. Buildings are

1638
02:17:57,359 --> 02:18:03,359
permanent on 40 acres to maintain
isulate movement. Again, this is just

1639
02:18:00,559 --> 02:18:07,040
one layer to the regulations in terms of
parcels. In a recent study released by

1640
02:18:05,760 --> 02:18:10,000
University of Wyoming in partnership
with US Fish and Wildlife Service,

1641
02:18:08,719 --> 02:18:14,399
multiple other federal and state
agencies, they studied the use of space

1642
02:18:12,160 --> 02:18:17,760
between homes by elk moose from corn mu
deer enrolled areas. In doing so,

1643
02:18:15,920 --> 02:18:21,280
researchers were able to identify ranges
of space between homes that were too

1644
02:18:19,200 --> 02:18:24,719
narrow for undisturbed use by wildlife.
The study concluded that maintaining

1645
02:18:22,800 --> 02:18:28,800
space in between houses greater than 500
meters will likely facilitate unulant

1646
02:18:26,880 --> 02:18:31,760
movement. While placement of homes on
parcels is the greatest factor in

1647
02:18:30,160 --> 02:18:36,000
achieving the widths needed to maintain
unulant movement, we can observe that 40

1648
02:18:34,080 --> 02:18:40,800
acres is a conservative approach to the
parcel size needed.

1649
02:18:38,479 --> 02:18:44,559
While larger parcels parcel sizes would
fully preserve the use of functional

1650
02:18:42,319 --> 02:18:48,559
habitat, 40 acres is a conservative
approach that reflects minimum threshold

1651
02:18:46,800 --> 02:18:53,040
intended to preserve basic wildlife
movement without imposing drastic

1652
02:18:50,160 --> 02:18:56,479
constraints on land use.
Moving slightly to a different topic.

1653
02:18:54,800 --> 02:19:00,160
We're aware of concerns regarding a
potential increase in property taxes for

1654
02:18:58,479 --> 02:19:04,639
property owners within a zoning district
via mill levy. The plain language of

1655
02:19:02,240 --> 02:19:11,120
section 76-2-102
states, "Subject to 15-10-420,

1656
02:19:08,559 --> 02:19:14,399
the finance finances necessary for the
transaction, the planning and zoning

1657
02:19:12,639 --> 02:19:18,880
commission's business and to pay the
expenses of the employees and justified

1658
02:19:16,399 --> 02:19:22,479
expenses of the commissioner's members
must be paid from the levy on the

1659
02:19:20,479 --> 02:19:26,880
taxable value of all taxable property
within the district. However, in our

1660
02:19:24,639 --> 02:19:30,960
research, we found that out of the 137
citizen initiated zoning districts that

1661
02:19:29,040 --> 02:19:35,760
we are aware of across the state, only
12% of them have a levy. The remaining

1662
02:19:33,519 --> 02:19:39,519
88% of citizen initiated zoning
districts have not required the creation

1663
02:19:37,599 --> 02:19:44,399
of a levy to fund costs of administering
a city. Revoli County, a county very

1664
02:19:42,559 --> 02:19:50,560
similar to Madison in regard to rural
and residential land, has 42 CICDs and

1665
02:19:48,000 --> 02:19:56,000
zero mill levies. Lewis and Clark County
has 35 CICDs and have not enacted any

1666
02:19:53,680 --> 02:20:00,640
mill levies. We see this example for
smaller scales as well. Richland and

1667
02:19:58,240 --> 02:20:04,160
Prairie County both only have one CICD
and have not subjected their

1668
02:20:02,000 --> 02:20:08,080
constituents to a levy. Our research
concludes that the majority of counties

1669
02:20:05,680 --> 02:20:12,560
have conducted citizen initiated zoning
districts without a levy. Therefore, no

1670
02:20:10,319 --> 02:20:17,920
levy on Bron Meadow district would be
unlikely and ultimately up to the

1671
02:20:14,479 --> 02:20:21,680
county. A 1999 version of statute, now
updated, appears to have limited the

1672
02:20:19,760 --> 02:20:24,479
mill amount. Quote, "The finances
necessary for the transaction of the

1673
02:20:23,280 --> 02:20:27,840
planning and zoning commission's
business and to pay the expenses of the

1674
02:20:26,080 --> 02:20:32,000
employees and justified expenses of the
members of the board must be paid from a

1675
02:20:29,600 --> 02:20:36,160
levy of not to exceed 1 mill on the
taxable value valuation of the real

1676
02:20:34,479 --> 02:20:40,399
property within the district. While the
not to exceed levy amount has since been

1677
02:20:38,319 --> 02:20:45,200
removed, the two counties that use mill
levies for CICDs have stayed within the

1678
02:20:42,479 --> 02:20:49,040
prior statutory cap. Dawson County
allows commissioners to levy up to one

1679
02:20:47,040 --> 02:20:52,640
mill on the taxable valuation of real
property within planning zoning

1680
02:20:50,479 --> 02:20:57,439
districts. Gallton County has varying
mill rates averaging 2.53 mills again

1681
02:20:55,760 --> 02:21:02,080
staying within the reach of the prior
statutory cap. If Madison County fell

1682
02:21:00,080 --> 02:21:06,479
into the minority and chose to put a 1m
levy on Pongorn Meadow zoning district

1683
02:21:04,000 --> 02:21:12,080
based on 2026 tax values, the county
would ultimately only raise $21.99

1684
02:21:09,520 --> 02:21:15,280
across the seven property owners.
I urge you to listen to the citizens

1685
02:21:13,680 --> 02:21:19,600
before you and to create the prom that
OCID to uphold the values of Madison

1686
02:21:17,520 --> 02:21:23,240
County and its residents stand for.
Thank you for your time.

1687
02:21:24,160 --> 02:21:27,399
» Thank you.

1688
02:21:27,840 --> 02:21:37,280
» Hi, Pamela Townsend again representing
my husband. I live at 200 Jensen Road

1689
02:21:34,160 --> 02:21:44,439
um in Reynolds Pass and I'm here just to
state our support for the CID. Thank

1690
02:21:41,439 --> 02:21:44,439
you.

1691
02:21:45,272 --> 02:21:50,160
[clears throat]
>> Philip Waters again, 6353 Delta Drive,

1692
02:21:47,840 --> 02:21:56,880
Church Hill. I'm also a property owner
on Slide Rock Road here in Cameron. Um,

1693
02:21:53,439 --> 02:22:00,560
I want to just speak durain to the Prong
Meadows, which if I am correct indicates

1694
02:21:58,720 --> 02:22:04,960
this this little section up on the top,
the northern end of the section that

1695
02:22:02,479 --> 02:22:08,880
affects me. And again, I did review
since this morning that I am actually I

1696
02:22:06,960 --> 02:22:12,960
actually have been apparently been
gerrymandered out of what was originally

1697
02:22:11,120 --> 02:22:18,880
proposed. So I just want to point to the
commission that related to Ponghorn men

1698
02:22:15,920 --> 02:22:22,800
meadows, it is somehow convenient and in
the interest of that public that that be

1699
02:22:20,800 --> 02:22:27,840
carved out of a section that's adjacent
to us. But then somehow the rest of the

1700
02:22:26,000 --> 02:22:31,520
community has been brought into a larger
section. And so I don't know, you know,

1701
02:22:29,680 --> 02:22:34,720
who has the power to do this if it's if
everything is in order and the

1702
02:22:32,560 --> 02:22:39,120
commission is willing to motion that
these be sectioned into smaller sections

1703
02:22:37,280 --> 02:22:44,240
like that so that that community can
speak more to their neighborhood. There

1704
02:22:42,160 --> 02:22:48,000
are seven, eight parcels over here. And
it makes sense that one or two people

1705
02:22:46,319 --> 02:22:51,600
might object, but they object to the
rest of their neighbors, which is an

1706
02:22:49,200 --> 02:22:57,120
obvious majority, versus I objected and
so I was kicked out of the the other

1707
02:22:54,160 --> 02:23:02,399
section in order to facilitate success
of the of the motion in despite the

1708
02:23:00,319 --> 02:23:07,920
opposition. So, Germaine to Pranghorn
Meadows, um, was it convenient? Was it

1709
02:23:06,160 --> 02:23:13,600
in the interest of the the surrounding
property owners to do that or could that

1710
02:23:10,960 --> 02:23:16,479
be your golden bridge to suggest for
some of these other areas, it is not

1711
02:23:15,120 --> 02:23:21,280
convenient. It is not in the interest of
the rest of the public to have such a

1712
02:23:17,920 --> 02:23:25,280
large swath. So, um, as we can contrast
those two, the smaller sections versus

1713
02:23:23,040 --> 02:23:29,600
larger sections, Ron Horn Meadows, like
I would object generally to this

1714
02:23:27,200 --> 02:23:33,280
initiative, but I have no reason to
object to that small neighborhood doing

1715
02:23:31,680 --> 02:23:36,800
their what they desire. On the other
hand, I would point out that if those

1716
02:23:35,040 --> 02:23:41,280
seven neighbors are in cahoots, somehow
they could turn around and decide to

1717
02:23:39,520 --> 02:23:47,439
vote to build a hotel right there and
leaving the rest of us hanging and them

1718
02:23:43,520 --> 02:23:53,760
cashing in. And so, uh, it does not seem
to be convenient or in my interest that

1719
02:23:50,399 --> 02:23:57,600
I be I I assert myself as being the
public that that statute applies to,

1720
02:23:55,600 --> 02:24:01,760
whether I'm included or not. It is not
convenient or in my interest to have me

1721
02:23:59,200 --> 02:24:07,439
gerrymander that out for their own
success. Um, versus apparently it is

1722
02:24:05,520 --> 02:24:11,200
totally feasible to cut it down into
smaller pieces, which another citizen

1723
02:24:09,439 --> 02:24:16,634
suggested and I suggested the commission
move to have that happen. Thank you.

1724
02:24:14,614 --> 02:24:16,634
» [clears throat]

1725
02:24:20,240 --> 02:24:26,800
» I have a question for the commission.
So, I have previously made comments on

1726
02:24:24,319 --> 02:24:29,439
the previous hearings. Can I just ask
that those comments be written into this

1727
02:24:28,800 --> 02:24:31,359
hearing?
>> We'd love that.

1728
02:24:30,160 --> 02:24:34,240
» Save us a little time.
>> Yes. Thank you.

1729
02:24:32,160 --> 02:24:39,200
» I will say that that I support this
initiative. My opinion hasn't changed.

1730
02:24:37,439 --> 02:24:43,359
But if I can just bring those comments
forward to this hearing and also the

1731
02:24:41,040 --> 02:24:45,359
next one, I would I would respectfully
do that.

1732
02:24:44,160 --> 02:24:48,240
» What's your name?
>> Larry Ray.

1733
02:24:46,640 --> 02:24:52,800
» Thank you.
>> You can be an example for everyone.

1734
02:24:50,000 --> 02:25:00,200
» Well, I'm not sure about that. An
example for myself maybe.

1735
02:24:56,720 --> 02:25:00,200
Appreciate it.

1736
02:25:05,120 --> 02:25:14,160
Keith Shine, 25 Big Ben Road, Cameron.
As stated previously, I'm not in any of

1737
02:25:11,760 --> 02:25:19,040
these proposed districts, but my wife
and I are here in support of them, and

1738
02:25:16,880 --> 02:25:24,399
I'm speaking to a different point on
this occasion. I've been working as a

1739
02:25:21,840 --> 02:25:29,120
volunteer preserve past pretty much
since its inception.

1740
02:25:26,640 --> 02:25:33,520
And during the process, as maybe most of
us are aware, there was a chance that

1741
02:25:31,840 --> 02:25:40,560
commission could have taken a look at
these proposed districts without a vote

1742
02:25:36,560 --> 02:25:46,080
of the 60% required. And I despared when
the commission rejected that possibility

1743
02:25:42,960 --> 02:25:50,720
and insisted on a vote
because I thought that it was in effect

1744
02:25:48,319 --> 02:25:55,439
trying to torpedo the whole process and
put an obstacle in it that was

1745
02:25:52,640 --> 02:26:03,840
insurmountable. And I became angry and
frustrated and thought was a done deal.

1746
02:25:59,439 --> 02:26:09,840
Later I changed my mind. I thought no
you guys did exactly the right thing by

1747
02:26:07,120 --> 02:26:14,000
imposing that hurdle.
Why not see results that are

1748
02:26:11,680 --> 02:26:20,720
irrefutable?
An overwhelmed majority of owners in

1749
02:26:16,960 --> 02:26:26,240
support. a referendum announced with a
landslide to be

1750
02:26:23,760 --> 02:26:34,240
the property owners in these districts
did just that. They exercised democracy

1751
02:26:30,160 --> 02:26:39,120
in its most fundamental grassroots way.
They stood together. They voted yes

1752
02:26:37,520 --> 02:26:45,520
together.
The people have spoken.

1753
02:26:42,800 --> 02:26:52,080
The Mont Tennis Legislature by statute
has given citizens the right to create

1754
02:26:48,319 --> 02:26:58,960
citizens in initiated zoning districts.
The formal in the proposed districts

1755
02:26:55,040 --> 02:27:04,640
have exercised exactly that right. I
humbly request that the commission

1756
02:27:01,280 --> 02:27:13,240
respect this democratic action and
approved approve the zoning districts.

1757
02:27:08,399 --> 02:27:13,240
The people have spoken.

1758
02:27:19,200 --> 02:27:26,720
» Hi, my name is Diane Olaf and I along
with my brother, sister, and mother are

1759
02:27:24,560 --> 02:27:32,160
the owners of the Olaf Ranch located at
850 Highway 8287.

1760
02:27:30,319 --> 02:27:37,960
I would also like my remarks from the
earlier meeting to be moved forward to

1761
02:27:34,319 --> 02:27:37,960
the next two meetings.

1762
02:27:40,080 --> 02:27:47,240
Does that mean that the crazy letter
would be

1763
02:27:43,920 --> 02:27:47,240
or go ahead?

1764
02:27:49,760 --> 02:27:57,840
» Hi, my name's
Chris Marino. I don't have any prepared

1765
02:27:54,319 --> 02:28:03,600
statement. I'm one of the parcels in
question at 73 Pond Road.

1766
02:28:00,960 --> 02:28:08,319
Um, and there's no casinos coming
because nobody's ever even reached out

1767
02:28:06,399 --> 02:28:13,200
to me. I have no idea what this petition
is about.

1768
02:28:10,399 --> 02:28:17,520
And uh um so I'm going to be opposed to
it because

1769
02:28:15,120 --> 02:28:22,800
I have no idea what's at.
So uh I would speak to uh hold in what

1770
02:28:21,600 --> 02:28:30,200
everyone likes here, which is the
quality of life. And uh that's really

1771
02:28:25,920 --> 02:28:30,200
fundamental to what we all want.

1772
02:28:32,399 --> 02:28:35,960
Thanks for your time.

1773
02:28:36,880 --> 02:28:42,800
» Thank you for your time today. My name
is Sandra Olaf Kerta and along with my

1774
02:28:40,880 --> 02:28:49,359
sister and and brother and mother, we do
own the Ola Ranch at 28 850 Highway 287

1775
02:28:46,960 --> 02:28:54,000
in Cameron. Um I spoke earlier and I
would like to include my comments from

1776
02:28:51,680 --> 02:28:59,359
earlier into this meeting. I'd also like
to add that there are not necessarily

1777
02:28:57,359 --> 02:29:03,840
two options for you as commissioners.
It's not a it's not a for or against. I

1778
02:29:01,600 --> 02:29:08,720
do believe that we can probably come to
an agreement that is maybe adjusted with

1779
02:29:06,800 --> 02:29:12,479
property boundaries some of the
restrictions. So I just wanted you to

1780
02:29:10,960 --> 02:29:20,359
keep that in mind that is it's not
necessarily a yes or no.

1781
02:29:16,720 --> 02:29:20,359
Thank you for your time.

1782
02:29:20,720 --> 02:29:29,720
Commissioners, you have a hand on the
screen there.

1783
02:29:25,359 --> 02:29:29,720
» We'll go through these and then we'll

1784
02:29:32,000 --> 02:29:38,319
my glasses. Um, good morning,
[clears throat] commissioners. Thank you

1785
02:29:35,120 --> 02:29:42,240
for your um giving me the opportunity to
speak. My husband and I, my name is

1786
02:29:40,640 --> 02:29:46,240
Samantha Arbigas. My husband and I are
property owners at 21 Moonwater Lane in

1787
02:29:44,399 --> 02:29:51,840
Rains Pass. I'm also a board member with
Preserve Reynolds Pass. Um, and I've

1788
02:29:49,439 --> 02:29:54,560
already read you this whole letter. Um,
so I'm going to spare you hearing it

1789
02:29:53,280 --> 02:29:58,479
again, but I do want to make sure that
my comments are submitted in in the

1790
02:29:56,960 --> 02:30:02,439
public record for this particular
hearing. Is that okay?

1791
02:30:13,120 --> 02:30:21,439
» Well, I'm uh Bob Garrett. I'm a merit
professor at MSU and was director of the

1792
02:30:18,319 --> 02:30:28,560
fish and wildlife program um for about
20 years uh at MSU and I'm representing

1793
02:30:26,000 --> 02:30:34,560
fish, wildlife and parks and I was asked
to read a portion of two letters that

1794
02:30:31,760 --> 02:30:41,040
that fish, wildlife and parks provided
on the citizen zoning initiatives. Um

1795
02:30:38,240 --> 02:30:47,120
I'm going to read um
uh part of a letter from August 15th

1796
02:30:43,840 --> 02:30:53,040
signed by Dr. Kelly Profett supervisor
of region three

1797
02:30:49,920 --> 02:30:58,560
that was related to the big horn pass
and uh or the big horn crossing and

1798
02:30:55,920 --> 02:31:03,280
sheep mountain proposal. this one
paragraph that's referred to then in a

1799
02:31:00,479 --> 02:31:09,920
letter in a
a later letter uh that they wrote res

1800
02:31:06,000 --> 02:31:14,800
regarding the pro perm
uh

1801
02:31:11,680 --> 02:31:19,840
citizen zoning initiative. The Reynolds
pass area is geographically important.

1802
02:31:17,439 --> 02:31:24,080
It provides an opening grassy lower
elevation access for the continental

1803
02:31:22,160 --> 02:31:29,760
wide bounded by steep mountains and
forested hills. These natural features

1804
02:31:26,800 --> 02:31:34,880
make it attractive corridor for unullet
migrating to summer cving and spawning

1805
02:31:32,479 --> 02:31:39,600
ranges and recent research has
demonstrated the importance of this area

1806
02:31:36,880 --> 02:31:44,640
for migratory elk and pong horn.
Although we have not yet been able to

1807
02:31:41,600 --> 02:31:50,560
follow mu deer in this area, we suspect
they should similar migratory patterns

1808
02:31:47,840 --> 02:31:57,359
and migratory behavior is an important
life history component of wildlife in

1809
02:31:53,120 --> 02:32:06,080
this area. uh after that uh letter was
was uh drafted for from fish, wildlife

1810
02:32:01,520 --> 02:32:11,920
and parks in June 6 uh 2006. I think you
already have copies of these letters. Um

1811
02:32:09,840 --> 02:32:19,200
Dr. Kelly Profett provided another
letter for the analopee basin and pro

1812
02:32:15,359 --> 02:32:23,760
meadows of proposed districts. Um and
the pertinent paragraph from that one is

1813
02:32:21,840 --> 02:32:29,200
uh in addition to wildlife values
generally discussed in our August 15 25

1814
02:32:27,359 --> 02:32:34,399
letter supporting big horn crossing and
sheet mountain proposed districts the

1815
02:32:31,760 --> 02:32:39,439
proposed analopee basin and prone
meadows zoning districts encompass

1816
02:32:36,720 --> 02:32:46,000
portions of a migratory corridor used by
Madison Valley Prohorn.

1817
02:32:42,000 --> 02:32:52,399
The map attached uh to the to the August
15, 2025 letter clearly outlines these

1818
02:32:48,960 --> 02:32:58,160
pathways. The Madison Ponghorn migratory
corridor is geographically constricted

1819
02:32:55,280 --> 02:33:03,760
to a narrow band of inner mountain
grasslands at Reynold Pass just a mile

1820
02:33:00,479 --> 02:33:08,399
wide in some areas. This migratory
corridor provides connectivity for pong

1821
02:33:06,160 --> 02:33:12,319
horn to move between this summer and
winter range.

1822
02:33:10,319 --> 02:33:18,399
this propo these proposed zoning
districts which limit development in the

1823
02:33:14,240 --> 02:33:21,399
area but help maintain this migratory
corridor.

1824
02:33:23,600 --> 02:33:35,200
So given that uh statement representing
fish wildlife and parks I'd like to make

1825
02:33:30,640 --> 02:33:44,000
a statement as a resident of the um
Reynolds Pass area. Uh I my name is

1826
02:33:38,640 --> 02:33:49,359
Robert Garrett. The uh my address is 75
highway 287 South Cameron. And I've

1827
02:33:47,760 --> 02:33:53,760
already made this presented that
statement in the in the previous

1828
02:33:51,359 --> 02:34:00,439
meeting. And I just like for that
statement to be attributed to this

1829
02:33:56,000 --> 02:34:00,439
meeting as well. Thank you.

1830
02:34:07,200 --> 02:34:14,960
Hi, my name is excuse me, Tom Schroeder.
I live at 144 Continental Divide Ranch

1831
02:34:11,840 --> 02:34:19,920
Road. Uh, and I made comments in the
earlier proceeding. And I just want to

1832
02:34:17,920 --> 02:34:23,920
make sure that those comments are in
support of all the three zoning

1833
02:34:21,920 --> 02:34:31,720
districts are included in the public
record for this district as well as the

1834
02:34:27,040 --> 02:34:31,720
upcoming district, too. Thank you.

1835
02:34:36,800 --> 02:34:40,760
Now, let's go to the online.

1836
02:34:41,280 --> 02:34:50,040
» Well, there's a
publish.

1837
02:34:46,479 --> 02:34:50,040
» Yeah, go ahead.

1838
02:34:51,120 --> 02:35:00,000
» My name is uh my name is Jerry Orbula. I
uh have a place here at Seven Moon Water

1839
02:34:58,479 --> 02:35:08,240
Lane.
um Cameron here on up on the um I'd like

1840
02:35:05,280 --> 02:35:13,520
my previous comments actually read by K
entered into the record and since I

1841
02:35:10,319 --> 02:35:20,640
can't afford K again I'll make my
comments very brief. Um

1842
02:35:17,040 --> 02:35:24,800
I I do want to highlight one one
barrier. I I don't know if people are

1843
02:35:22,160 --> 02:35:29,920
aware of this, but the the guidelines
that are in place for these zones are

1844
02:35:27,920 --> 02:35:34,960
actually less restrictive than any of
the state or county documents.

1845
02:35:33,520 --> 02:35:38,960
And I just want that to go off record
and hopefully people who didn't have a

1846
02:35:36,720 --> 02:35:43,120
chance to learn about this or read it.
Uh any one of us will happy to send you

1847
02:35:41,359 --> 02:35:49,000
information or explain it to you if you
don't understand any of these. Thanks.

1848
02:35:45,520 --> 02:35:49,000
We'd be happy to spend

1849
02:35:54,160 --> 02:36:01,280
Hi, I'm Steve Somatio. I'm at uh I'm on
the uh C I'm one of I'm a citizen owner

1850
02:35:59,439 --> 02:36:05,280
in Rand's past for the past 12 years and
I'm also a member of the preserve rand

1851
02:36:03,439 --> 02:36:10,240
board and I would just like to make sure
that I have the same comments from sheet

1852
02:36:07,280 --> 02:36:14,000
mountain uh district conversation to
apply to the ponghorn. I like to have

1853
02:36:12,640 --> 02:36:19,399
make sure they have that they're entered
into the record and I can hear

1854
02:36:22,240 --> 02:36:31,280
Julie Dulio 101 road. Uh I came up
before and read a statement by Daryl

1855
02:36:28,000 --> 02:36:37,319
Schulty. Um so I'd like to submit that
for this district as well or this zoning

1856
02:36:34,160 --> 02:36:37,319
as well.

1857
02:36:37,680 --> 02:36:40,840
Thank you.

1858
02:36:42,720 --> 02:36:50,080
It's still morning. So I'll say good
morning again. Chair and I county

1859
02:36:46,880 --> 02:36:57,439
commissioners Justin Bremer
J C Y N B R E N E R 7770 East Main

1860
02:36:55,200 --> 02:37:01,920
Street appearing on behalf of preserving
and petitioning property owners.

1861
02:37:00,240 --> 02:37:06,080
I'll try be try to be a little more
brief, but I will incorporate my

1862
02:37:03,600 --> 02:37:13,760
reference the September 1st, 2026 letter
in exhibit A into the record. And um in

1863
02:37:10,800 --> 02:37:21,040
in this particular case, you have 78% of
affected owners petitioning for this

1864
02:37:16,800 --> 02:37:24,319
Ponghorn Meadows CIZD. And again, the
zoning regulation itself demonstrates

1865
02:37:22,880 --> 02:37:28,720
the public interest or convenience
requires the adoption of this zoning

1866
02:37:26,479 --> 02:37:33,760
district and regulation to protect the
rural residential and agricultural

1867
02:37:30,720 --> 02:37:38,240
character of the area and the existing
development pattern in this area. in

1868
02:37:36,319 --> 02:37:43,920
considering the limited public services
that you've heard about this morning as

1869
02:37:40,240 --> 02:37:48,000
well as the scarce water resources.
As I explained earlier, the plain

1870
02:37:45,280 --> 02:37:52,640
language of the applicable statute 76U
101 states only that the public interest

1871
02:37:50,479 --> 02:37:56,479
or convenience
required the adoption of the zoning

1872
02:37:54,080 --> 02:38:00,399
district. And as you and as you've
heard, the finding has been met.

1873
02:37:58,960 --> 02:38:03,680
The staff report goes a little beyond
this in the plain language of the

1874
02:38:01,760 --> 02:38:09,280
statute by providing pages of questions
and considerations and definitions, none

1875
02:38:06,720 --> 02:38:14,000
of which are in statute. And so those
don't apply to your decision today.

1876
02:38:11,920 --> 02:38:17,520
Um, in terms of the public comment
you're hearing today, as explained

1877
02:38:16,000 --> 02:38:22,560
earlier, the Montana Constitution
requires that the public be afforded

1878
02:38:19,280 --> 02:38:27,280
this opportunity to comment and also
that you do more than merely listenit

1879
02:38:25,200 --> 02:38:31,760
and listen to this public comment, but
also that you address your comments in

1880
02:38:28,960 --> 02:38:36,880
your decision making today and the
pertinent facts on which your decision

1881
02:38:34,720 --> 02:38:40,560
is based in order to facilitate judicial
review. [clears throat]

1882
02:38:38,479 --> 02:38:45,200
You've also heard the growth policy,
your growth policy itself, I think

1883
02:38:42,560 --> 02:38:51,600
adopted as recently as last year,
contemplates support zoning

1884
02:38:48,960 --> 02:38:56,640
and you have an obligation by law to
substantially comply with the growth

1885
02:38:53,600 --> 02:38:59,920
policy. The issues in question of roads
and contiguity has been addressed and

1886
02:38:58,240 --> 02:39:03,680
refuted. And in Montana, roads and
highways are not considered a barrier to

1887
02:39:02,160 --> 02:39:08,960
this. And again, you have those
caseations in my letter. And the same is

1888
02:39:06,479 --> 02:39:12,880
true for administration and enforcement.
The legislature provided you the

1889
02:39:10,960 --> 02:39:17,520
opportunity to levy for that. And so
that's not a justification either. Um

1890
02:39:15,760 --> 02:39:21,439
the staff court makes clear the county
only has the authority granted by the

1891
02:39:19,200 --> 02:39:25,840
legislature pursuant to statute and we
agree with that.

1892
02:39:23,600 --> 02:39:31,840
The legislature conveyed the power to
petition to the people and gave you the

1893
02:39:28,800 --> 02:39:36,960
authority to adopt
citizen initiated zoning which zoning is

1894
02:39:35,120 --> 02:39:42,000
enacted for the public health, safety
and welfare. So those statutes must be

1895
02:39:39,680 --> 02:39:46,640
liberally construed to accomplish the
objective [clears throat]

1896
02:39:42,640 --> 02:39:50,479
which is adoption zoning. 78% again of
the effective owners which is more than

1897
02:39:48,800 --> 02:39:53,920
the required percentage substantially
more

1898
02:39:52,080 --> 02:39:58,880
um these signatures in the public
comment and testimony majority of the

1899
02:39:56,640 --> 02:40:02,160
public comment and testimony make clear
that public interest does require the

1900
02:40:00,319 --> 02:40:06,720
CICD and regulations and you have the
authority to adopt them. Arguably, given

1901
02:40:04,560 --> 02:40:11,120
the facts in the record, the decision
not to adopt the CICD would be so

1902
02:40:09,040 --> 02:40:16,399
lacking in fact and foundation again
would be clearly unreasonable and an

1903
02:40:13,120 --> 02:40:19,840
abuse of discretion. And again, as based
on the September 1st letter that I

1904
02:40:18,640 --> 02:40:24,399
submitted and the comments of the
petitioners and the public, the majority

1905
02:40:21,840 --> 02:40:28,800
of the public, they've met their burden,
I respectfully request that you adopt

1906
02:40:26,080 --> 02:40:33,560
this Ponghorn Meadows citizen initiated
zoning.

1907
02:40:30,319 --> 02:40:33,560
Thank you.

1908
02:40:35,200 --> 02:40:42,760
My name is Marina Smith and I will not
bore you with my sad story about my

1909
02:40:38,640 --> 02:40:42,760
leaky house and my perform

1910
02:40:43,120 --> 02:40:51,040
um statements for this CICD. But I do
want to speak to a comment that Glenn

1911
02:40:48,319 --> 02:40:56,479
Patrick made and that's that this was
all part of a big branch at one point

1912
02:40:53,520 --> 02:41:01,600
and I mentioned in my previous comments
that we are the lowest downstream user

1913
02:40:59,280 --> 02:41:07,040
of water and it's been extremely
difficult for us and while we are under

1914
02:41:04,720 --> 02:41:11,840
conservation easement and our property
is protected

1915
02:41:09,040 --> 02:41:19,200
what happens on adjacent properties is
also very effective to us. And so if we

1916
02:41:15,520 --> 02:41:25,520
lose the ability to get water to cattle
or we lose the ability for wildlife to

1917
02:41:23,280 --> 02:41:30,960
pass through either in connectivity or
migration corridors, the whole purpose

1918
02:41:28,319 --> 02:41:38,319
of the 10,000 acres that was purchased
to support agriculture and wildlife is

1919
02:41:34,000 --> 02:41:42,960
lost. So largecale potential commercial
developments in that area pose a threat

1920
02:41:40,720 --> 02:41:51,319
to us that we're very concerned about.
Thank you very much.

1921
02:41:46,560 --> 02:41:51,319
I just need my name in again or

1922
02:41:51,840 --> 02:41:57,000
online.
It's like a lease.

1923
02:41:57,760 --> 02:42:00,920
Go ahead.

1924
02:42:07,120 --> 02:42:11,160
Elise, did you have a comment?

1925
02:42:17,120 --> 02:42:23,479
yours.
Apparently not.

1926
02:42:29,520 --> 02:42:34,120
I'm sorry. We had some technical
difficulties.

1927
02:42:34,960 --> 02:42:41,120
» Turn yours down.
>> Okay. Can I Can I still speak?

1928
02:42:39,840 --> 02:42:47,200
Yes.
>> Okay.

1929
02:42:42,399 --> 02:42:55,760
» Uh my name is Alicia Rosai and um I own
property at 112 Pond Road in um the

1930
02:42:51,600 --> 02:43:01,840
Ponghorn Meadows District. Um I wanted
to speak about a few things. I'm I

1931
02:42:58,560 --> 02:43:06,640
apologize. I don't have anything
prepared. Um and my husband and I wanted

1932
02:43:04,800 --> 02:43:13,040
to be there in person today but because
of some health issues we were not able

1933
02:43:08,800 --> 02:43:18,960
to attend. Um I I wanted to let the
people who are concerned first of all

1934
02:43:15,280 --> 02:43:26,560
who are concerned that uh the the group
of us who went together to try to um to

1935
02:43:23,600 --> 02:43:31,120
try to create this zoning uh at Prom
Meadows are going to somehow come

1936
02:43:29,280 --> 02:43:36,080
together and put a big hotel in the
front. On the contrary, that is the very

1937
02:43:34,000 --> 02:43:41,520
reason that we are trying to get this
zoning in place is to prevent those kind

1938
02:43:39,120 --> 02:43:48,960
of things from happening. We purchased
our property about 35 years ago and we

1939
02:43:46,160 --> 02:43:52,160
have taken our children there
uh all of their lives and now that

1940
02:43:50,479 --> 02:43:57,680
they're adults, they're all coming up
and bringing their families. And our uh

1941
02:43:55,680 --> 02:44:02,640
intent is to leave this property to our
children so that they can continue to

1942
02:43:59,600 --> 02:44:09,120
enjoy and our grandchildren can continue
to enjoy um the property

1943
02:44:06,160 --> 02:44:14,000
as they always have. Uh we have noticed
as we have come up through the years how

1944
02:44:11,359 --> 02:44:17,840
much growth has happened. Um, when we
first started coming there, there were

1945
02:44:15,600 --> 02:44:23,120
just a few cabins right at the very
back. And now there are many cabins

1946
02:44:20,479 --> 02:44:28,560
there. And
we're concerned about um [clears throat]

1947
02:44:26,560 --> 02:44:31,680
» we were concerned about because we get
constantly

1948
02:44:30,080 --> 02:44:35,920
uh things in the mail with people trying
to purchase our property. And they're

1949
02:44:33,840 --> 02:44:42,240
typically usually big companies who want
to come in and put in bigger things and

1950
02:44:39,279 --> 02:44:49,840
divide these up into tiny little spots.
and we we have um covenants. So if

1951
02:44:48,319 --> 02:44:55,200
someone comes in and wants to do
something, we would have to pay for the

1952
02:44:52,479 --> 02:45:01,040
attorneys to try to stop that. And and
most people who live there don't have

1953
02:44:57,600 --> 02:45:06,080
that kind of funding. So this is to pro
protect us so that we don't have to try

1954
02:45:03,840 --> 02:45:10,640
to go to court every time and fight one
one person who wants to come in and put

1955
02:45:08,720 --> 02:45:15,040
in a great big hotel or a great big
because there's none of us that have

1956
02:45:11,840 --> 02:45:20,399
money to fight someone like that. So,
we're asking for these to protect us, to

1957
02:45:17,680 --> 02:45:25,760
protect our children, to protect and and
our grandchildren to let them have the

1958
02:45:23,200 --> 02:45:30,800
beauty of the property and the area that
we bought into and we bought for a

1959
02:45:27,920 --> 02:45:37,120
reason. Uh, another thing that I wanted
to bring up is that um, recently we had

1960
02:45:34,160 --> 02:45:41,840
come up to the property and there was a
beautiful elk laying in the middle of

1961
02:45:39,600 --> 02:45:48,240
the road who had been hit by something
large and was still alive laying there

1962
02:45:45,439 --> 02:45:54,240
right in the center. And it broke my
heart because this is this is an elk

1963
02:45:52,000 --> 02:45:58,479
corridor. This is a pong horn corridor.
We have pong horn on our property all

1964
02:45:56,800 --> 02:46:03,760
all summer.
And it broke my heart that this poor elk

1965
02:46:00,800 --> 02:46:09,200
had to be hit in that road and lay there
and suffer until it died. And this is

1966
02:46:06,640 --> 02:46:12,479
the kind of thing that we get more and
more and more traffic up there. This is

1967
02:46:11,040 --> 02:46:20,160
the kind of thing that's going to happen
more and more frequently. And I think to

1968
02:46:16,399 --> 02:46:26,000
to protect the wildlife, we have to do
something. We have to say we have to

1969
02:46:23,200 --> 02:46:30,880
stand up and try to implement some
zoning. Um, the other thing that I

1970
02:46:29,120 --> 02:46:36,000
wanted to say is when we purchased our
property

1971
02:46:32,479 --> 02:46:41,120
um, long long ago, there was a a creek
that ran through our property and then

1972
02:46:38,560 --> 02:46:46,319
there was also a great big pond there
that had been stocked with fish and the

1973
02:46:44,319 --> 02:46:53,120
kids used to love it. They had so much
fun from the creek and going down to the

1974
02:46:49,040 --> 02:47:00,080
pond. Right now, that is all dried up
because the of the water shortage.

1975
02:46:56,560 --> 02:47:04,479
So, if we continue to allow more and
more and more building, right now it's

1976
02:47:02,880 --> 02:47:09,359
just right up the creek. What's going to
happen next? We're going to not have

1977
02:47:06,800 --> 02:47:14,160
enough water to even even take care of
ourselves.

1978
02:47:11,680 --> 02:47:19,359
And uh the water well is going to have
to go down deeper and deeper, which is

1979
02:47:16,000 --> 02:47:23,760
very expensive. And at some point, it's
there's not going to be water. So, I am

1980
02:47:21,680 --> 02:47:30,880
very concerned about water. I'm very
concerned about wildlife and and I'm

1981
02:47:27,040 --> 02:47:37,279
very concerned about big business coming
in and trying to change the very the

1982
02:47:35,040 --> 02:47:41,680
very beauty the very uh beautiful
Madison County that we have come to

1983
02:47:39,279 --> 02:47:46,720
love. So I want to say that I'm
definitely in support and um I want to

1984
02:47:45,040 --> 02:47:49,720
thank you for the opportunity to speak
today.

1985
02:48:02,640 --> 02:48:12,479
Yes. Um if I could.
>> Okay.

1986
02:48:09,040 --> 02:48:17,680
» Um my name is Dan Wank. Um
uh I'm

1987
02:48:14,640 --> 02:48:22,319
I'm the u former superintendent of
Yellowstone National Park and been

1988
02:48:19,600 --> 02:48:27,279
engaged with with different people and
different groups and organizations in

1989
02:48:23,920 --> 02:48:33,520
the Madison Valley for a long time. I
first came to uh Yellowstone in 20 in

1990
02:48:30,560 --> 02:48:38,640
1979 as a member of the superintendent
staff and my job at that time was

1991
02:48:36,560 --> 02:48:44,720
outreach to local communities and land
owners uh surrounding the park the park

1992
02:48:41,840 --> 02:48:50,960
throughout the region. Uh the concept of
the Yellowstone ecosystem was first

1993
02:48:46,640 --> 02:48:54,640
discussed in the early 1980s and it was
brought by an understanding that the

1994
02:48:52,720 --> 02:48:59,760
health of Yellowstone extends and
depends beyond the park boundaries

1995
02:48:58,000 --> 02:49:04,720
especially in places like the Madison
Valley in the critical wildlife

1996
02:49:01,760 --> 02:49:09,040
corridors. I returned to Yellowstone as
superintendent in 2011. The development

1997
02:49:07,520 --> 02:49:13,600
in the ecosystem had changed
dramatically and continues to evolve.

1998
02:49:12,000 --> 02:49:16,960
The amount of development that was
eye-opening and the effect on the

1999
02:49:15,439 --> 02:49:21,520
wildlife corridors and natural
environment is incremental, substantial

2000
02:49:19,680 --> 02:49:26,640
and increasing.
Perhaps one of the best places that this

2001
02:49:23,520 --> 02:49:31,439
is explained was under the May 2016
issue of National Geographic which was

2002
02:49:28,880 --> 02:49:35,840
devoted to Yellowstone in the ecosystem.
I commend that to you to see, to look

2003
02:49:33,520 --> 02:49:39,680
at, and to understand the wildlife
corridors.

2004
02:49:37,600 --> 02:49:44,640
The work done by individual land owners
by placing their lands in conservation

2005
02:49:41,840 --> 02:49:49,600
easements are an important tool used by
some concerned land owners as you have

2006
02:49:46,800 --> 02:49:54,080
heard today. But that's a minority of
land owners in the area.

2007
02:49:52,160 --> 02:49:59,680
More is needed to protect the wildlife
corridors and the natural systems.

2008
02:49:56,640 --> 02:50:03,680
Adopting these citizens initiated zoning
initiatives will provide a framework to

2009
02:50:01,920 --> 02:50:08,160
preserve, manage, and provide for
appropriate development of these

2010
02:50:05,120 --> 02:50:12,319
critical lands. Most agree that this
ecosystem deserves protection.

2011
02:50:10,479 --> 02:50:17,359
Initiatives such as this are a great
state step in understanding and

2012
02:50:14,240 --> 02:50:20,960
implementing necessary steps to protect
what we all love.

2013
02:50:19,680 --> 02:50:25,920
I'd like to thank you for the
opportunity to comment and I really

2014
02:50:23,600 --> 02:50:33,240
appreciate the work that's been done by
local groups to try to preserve this

2015
02:50:28,560 --> 02:50:33,240
incredible resource. Thank you.

2016
02:50:33,359 --> 02:50:36,359
Anyone

2017
02:50:38,399 --> 02:50:45,040
else?
>> Yep. Hi,

2018
02:50:42,399 --> 02:50:51,200
my name is Fredley. My sister Alice and
I both own property at two Sheep Creek

2019
02:50:47,439 --> 02:50:57,920
Road in Cameron and we stand in support
of the CIZD and everyone trying to

2020
02:50:54,640 --> 02:51:04,040
preserve wildlife and preserve our um
property in that area.

2021
02:51:00,880 --> 02:51:04,040
Thank you.

2022
02:51:07,840 --> 02:51:13,960
You got
good Gary.

2023
02:51:18,640 --> 02:51:28,640
Me
Carrie Kensinger.

2024
02:51:24,000 --> 02:51:33,040
» Hi, I'm Carrie Kensinger. Um I we my
father he's 95. I'm at his house right

2025
02:51:31,200 --> 02:51:41,279
now. So bear with me if there's any
interruptions. Um we have property at 55

2026
02:51:37,040 --> 02:51:45,279
Moonwater Lane up at Reynolds Pass. Um
first of all, I'd like to thank the

2027
02:51:42,560 --> 02:51:51,920
commissioners so much for entertaining
and listening to all of the very

2028
02:51:48,560 --> 02:51:59,840
wellfounded and great points made for
and against. Um, however, I'm going to

2029
02:51:54,960 --> 02:52:06,880
say um with all passion that I am so for
these um districts to have some

2030
02:52:03,359 --> 02:52:12,960
regulation and zoning. Um, as a former
chairperson for the NIS planning board

2031
02:52:09,760 --> 02:52:21,600
uh before it was dissolved, I know the
uh importance of having management and

2032
02:52:18,960 --> 02:52:25,760
especially when it comes to the growth.
And just an aside, just something that I

2033
02:52:24,319 --> 02:52:31,120
thought of when I was listening to
everybody is that we would do outreach

2034
02:52:28,720 --> 02:52:35,760
for the growth policy and went to the
airport commission and the county

2035
02:52:33,920 --> 02:52:40,560
commissioners and the art association
and we would ask the question um how

2036
02:52:38,399 --> 02:52:46,000
would you like to see NS 5 years from
now? And inevitably there would be

2037
02:52:42,880 --> 02:52:52,560
comments to the effect of we want it to
go back to the way it was 50 years ago.

2038
02:52:49,359 --> 02:53:00,800
Well, that train has left the station
and if we don't have something in place,

2039
02:52:56,640 --> 02:53:06,319
then it will be left to its own devices,
meaning that part of the valley uh in

2040
02:53:03,040 --> 02:53:11,920
the south. Um, we've had the cabin up
there since 1994. It was built in 1971.

2041
02:53:10,080 --> 02:53:19,680
I think it was the first cabin that was
built on that section of the river. Um

2042
02:53:15,279 --> 02:53:25,520
I'm well aware of the different uh water
usages and what's happening with the

2043
02:53:21,760 --> 02:53:31,279
water resources up there and I just
would say that it's imperative to have a

2044
02:53:27,680 --> 02:53:36,560
plan to protect the existing resources
for the residents and for the wildlife.

2045
02:53:34,080 --> 02:53:42,080
Um it's never too late to do the right
thing.

2046
02:53:38,000 --> 02:53:47,760
Uh I support uh having these districts
with the zoning

2047
02:53:44,080 --> 02:53:53,279
um implemented so that we have uh the
the chance to keep and preserve and

2048
02:53:50,800 --> 02:54:00,560
conserve what we already have up there
and enjoy and love. Um I'm very much in

2049
02:53:56,800 --> 02:54:05,200
favor of the citizen initiated zoning
because I think that's a very very

2050
02:54:02,800 --> 02:54:12,040
critical part of our democracy. So,
thank you for listening and I appreciate

2051
02:54:07,040 --> 02:54:12,040
everybody that's spoken. Thank you,

2052
02:54:16,960 --> 02:54:20,439
» Gary Yak.

2053
02:54:26,319 --> 02:54:30,840
While we wait for Gary, can I speak

2054
02:54:31,920 --> 02:54:42,080
over here? Hi, my name is Rana Sarcis.
I'm at 25 Rocky Road South in Cameron

2055
02:54:39,359 --> 02:54:48,560
and um it's part of the Sportsman's
Paradise uh subdivision. And I'm just

2056
02:54:44,960 --> 02:54:54,560
speaking here today to uh support uh the
CZID initiative and to thank the

2057
02:54:51,520 --> 02:55:00,479
commission and K and the group for
advocating so um uh strongly and

2058
02:54:57,840 --> 02:55:03,680
wholeheartedly for this initiative. That
is all. Thank you.

2059
02:55:10,399 --> 02:55:14,200
Gary, are you there?

2060
02:55:23,279 --> 02:55:28,840
» We lost Eric.
>> Randy, you want to go ahead?

2061
02:55:28,880 --> 02:55:35,040
» Yes, I do. Can you hear me?
Yes.

2062
02:55:32,000 --> 02:55:40,160
» Thank you. Um, at the risk of being
redundant and wasting more time, um, I'd

2063
02:55:38,000 --> 02:55:44,720
like to have my comments applied to all
three zoning district hearings, Sheep

2064
02:55:42,720 --> 02:55:50,640
Mountain, Prong Horn Meadows, and
Analopee Basin. Um, my name is Randy

2065
02:55:48,000 --> 02:55:56,160
Arbaggast. I am a resident of Madison
County in the Reynolds Pass area,

2066
02:55:53,359 --> 02:56:03,920
specifically at 21 Moonwater Lane with
my wife Samantha. I want to express my

2067
02:55:59,600 --> 02:56:09,840
support of CIZD or citizens initiated
zoning in all three of the zoning

2068
02:56:06,479 --> 02:56:15,279
districts. Um, my father once told me
when I was learning to drive, "Don't

2069
02:56:12,399 --> 02:56:21,120
overdrive your headlights. You won't be
able to see what's coming." I think we

2070
02:56:18,399 --> 02:56:26,399
can all understand this metaphor because
we all know what's coming. That is

2071
02:56:24,319 --> 02:56:32,560
commercial development. So,
commissioners, I urge you to please

2072
02:56:29,200 --> 02:56:36,240
support initiated zoning to primarily
stop commercial development in this

2073
02:56:34,720 --> 02:56:41,680
area.
Our collective voices need to be heard

2074
02:56:38,800 --> 02:56:47,520
and please, let's not overdrive our
headlights. It's not too late. Let's

2075
02:56:44,800 --> 02:56:53,560
plan for the rest of the future. That's
it. Thank you very much for listening.

2076
02:56:49,600 --> 02:56:53,560
Thank you for your time.

2077
02:57:09,120 --> 02:57:12,840
Why don't you go ahead, Bill?

2078
02:57:33,680 --> 02:57:36,319
Bill Maslin.

2079
02:57:54,160 --> 02:57:59,520
Finally, maybe I got it right. This is
Bill Masslin. Can you hear me? Okay.

2080
02:57:58,319 --> 02:58:04,399
Now,
>> yes.

2081
02:58:00,880 --> 02:58:12,080
» Sorry about that. Um,
my wife and I I own property up in uh

2082
02:58:08,720 --> 02:58:18,800
the uh Sheep Mountain Zoning District,
133 Sheep Mountain Road. Cameron, we

2083
02:58:15,760 --> 02:58:23,680
strongly support all three of the CIZDS
and would like you to include our

2084
02:58:21,200 --> 02:58:27,520
comments in all three. I will not
duplicate what others have said, but I

2085
02:58:25,760 --> 02:58:34,000
just wanted to make a point that I think
captures a lot of what you've got to

2086
02:58:30,000 --> 02:58:40,080
deal with. And that is the philosophy of
think globally, act locally.

2087
02:58:37,600 --> 02:58:45,520
Um when we look at the bigger picture,
we can see all kinds of challenges ahead

2088
02:58:42,399 --> 02:58:50,880
of us. But taking on those challenges
holistically is oftentimes not possible.

2089
02:58:48,880 --> 02:58:54,880
May not even be within the realm of our
control. But we can take actions

2090
02:58:53,359 --> 02:59:01,760
locally.
related to that, it's important to look

2091
02:58:58,160 --> 02:59:08,880
at not the perfect because it gets in
the way of the good, but what is good

2092
02:59:05,359 --> 02:59:13,680
relative to that local interest.
And so in that regard, uh I just

2093
02:59:11,439 --> 02:59:20,479
encourage you to look at this that way,
both in terms of geographically as well

2094
02:59:16,800 --> 02:59:24,160
as temporally the time frame. Uh things
aren't going to get better. They're not

2095
02:59:21,840 --> 02:59:29,439
going to get easier. Now is the time.
And I think the citizens initiated

2096
02:59:26,319 --> 02:59:34,680
zoning accomplishes that task consistent
with your policy.

2097
02:59:31,520 --> 02:59:34,680
Thank you.

2098
02:59:42,880 --> 02:59:46,439
» David and Natalie.

2099
02:59:49,040 --> 02:59:59,279
» Yeah. Hello. Uh David Six here. Um
my wife Natalie and I own uh property

2100
02:59:56,240 --> 03:00:05,600
currently at 33 Dutchman Trail in
Cameron. Um, we've actually owned

2101
03:00:02,560 --> 03:00:12,800
property in the past within the mountain
uh proposed district and uh I don't want

2102
03:00:09,439 --> 03:00:20,640
to repeat or take a lot of time to
repeat what others have said well um but

2103
03:00:16,800 --> 03:00:29,040
we do wish to um express our strong
support for adopting these uh zoning

2104
03:00:24,640 --> 03:00:36,800
districts. Um, I think that uh anyone
who would dismiss or discount the risk

2105
03:00:34,399 --> 03:00:42,479
of highdensity commercialization in the
area need only look back at what

2106
03:00:39,359 --> 03:00:48,000
happened four years ago and the enormous
effort that it took on the part of PRP

2107
03:00:45,279 --> 03:00:52,640
and all the other residents in the area.
Uh, not just in time but in their own

2108
03:00:50,640 --> 03:00:57,279
personal finances, which I'm sure is
still the case today. Uh there's no

2109
03:00:55,120 --> 03:01:03,920
outside source of funding I'm aware of
that that supports this effort. Um but

2110
03:01:01,520 --> 03:01:11,520
anyway, it was a significant effort. We
we uh we all felt good about um the

2111
03:01:08,160 --> 03:01:17,600
outcome and and uh appreciated very much
the commissioners uh all of you and the

2112
03:01:14,399 --> 03:01:23,520
staff for supporting uh those hearings
and and efforts that went on for that

2113
03:01:19,840 --> 03:01:29,040
and and for this new uh effort as well.
just so that those of us who own

2114
03:01:26,000 --> 03:01:35,200
property up there um
can can look forward to to more years of

2115
03:01:32,240 --> 03:01:41,120
of uh the enjoying the pristine
environment, the wildlife

2116
03:01:37,520 --> 03:01:48,399
uh that that that uh inhabits that area.
Um, I have no doubt that if we allow

2117
03:01:45,279 --> 03:01:55,279
this to pass along without endorsing it
and adopting these uh uh these districts

2118
03:01:52,160 --> 03:02:01,359
that there will be challenges equal to
or much greater than what we've already

2119
03:01:57,120 --> 03:02:06,960
faced uh just four years ago. and there
it will just set the stage and open the

2120
03:02:03,520 --> 03:02:11,920
door for more of that kind of effort and
the enormous effort that it would place

2121
03:02:09,840 --> 03:02:17,840
not only on all the citizens but on you
as commissioners as well to deal with

2122
03:02:14,240 --> 03:02:25,920
and address those in the future. So
again, uh we would just like to uh

2123
03:02:21,120 --> 03:02:32,000
strongly endorse and and and uh uh state
our our uh position in favor of adopting

2124
03:02:29,279 --> 03:02:38,920
these these citizen initiated districts.
So that's all I have to say. Thank you

2125
03:02:34,479 --> 03:02:38,920
very much again for your time.

2126
03:02:45,040 --> 03:02:51,760
Chris, you want to go ahead?
[clears throat]

2127
03:02:49,680 --> 03:02:59,439
» Sure. Uh, good afternoon. My name is
Chris Peekham and I own property at 31

2128
03:02:55,760 --> 03:03:05,279
Tory Road in Cameron. Uh, I don't have
anything new that has not already been

2129
03:03:02,560 --> 03:03:12,080
articulated by prior speakers. So, in
the interest of brevity, I will say only

2130
03:03:07,920 --> 03:03:17,520
that I fully support uh all three uh
proposed citizen initiated zoning

2131
03:03:14,479 --> 03:03:24,160
districts. And I hope that uh although
my property is not presently included in

2132
03:03:20,960 --> 03:03:27,920
any of the three, I do hope that one day
uh they will there will be a new one

2133
03:03:25,920 --> 03:03:33,200
that will encompass my property or one
of the three proposed uh districts will

2134
03:03:31,279 --> 03:03:38,479
grow to include my property. I think
they're a fabulous idea and I appreciate

2135
03:03:35,840 --> 03:03:43,200
all the effort that has gone into this
by uh PRP. So again, just offering my

2136
03:03:41,600 --> 03:03:46,439
support for all three. Thank you for
your time.

2137
03:03:50,160 --> 03:03:53,279
Angie, you want to go ahead

2138
03:04:32,319 --> 03:04:35,560
and Jarbulla.

2139
03:05:17,439 --> 03:05:21,399
Last call for Angie.

2140
03:05:27,520 --> 03:05:33,760
» Eric Nord,
>> go ahead.

2141
03:05:31,120 --> 03:05:41,359
» Thank you. Um, my name is Eric Nord. I
have property at 79 Highway 287 South.

2142
03:05:37,920 --> 03:05:46,960
It's just south of the 87 intersection.
Neighbors with Bob Garrett. I want to

2143
03:05:43,840 --> 03:05:52,640
say thanks to Bob and Marina for their
their words and all all the work that

2144
03:05:49,760 --> 03:05:58,960
they've done on this. But I do support
the CIZD

2145
03:05:54,720 --> 03:06:04,319
um and really any efforts to kind of
limit the uh unplanned growth or the the

2146
03:06:02,000 --> 03:06:12,560
crazy growth that goes on. We've owned
about 15 years and and the population in

2147
03:06:07,439 --> 03:06:17,040
that area has tripled. Um and so I you
know I appreciate

2148
03:06:14,479 --> 03:06:24,080
uh that you have this Zoom meeting so
that we can join the the the meeting. I

2149
03:06:21,279 --> 03:06:30,840
I do appreciate that and I hope you'll
uh listen to everybody's comments. Thank

2150
03:06:27,840 --> 03:06:30,840
you.

2151
03:07:09,600 --> 03:07:12,600
Brian

2152
03:07:13,680 --> 03:07:21,840
may be having technical difficulties.
>> Brian,

2153
03:07:18,880 --> 03:07:24,960
» excuse me. Angie just text that she is
kicked out of the meeting and she can't

2154
03:07:23,600 --> 03:07:28,640
find it.
But I just want to let you know that

2155
03:07:26,960 --> 03:07:30,399
that's what happened. I don't expect you
to

2156
03:07:28,960 --> 03:07:34,439
» She just disappeared.
>> She just disappeared here.

2157
03:07:34,994 --> 03:07:37,014
[clears throat]

2158
03:07:40,800 --> 03:07:50,399
» If you would like to testify, go ahead.
>> My name is Dr. Diane Love. I live at

2159
03:07:47,120 --> 03:07:56,240
Ford Greenville Lane in Cameron.
And I would like to start out by saying

2160
03:07:52,560 --> 03:08:02,080
that my husband Steve and I right there
um fully support this initiative.

2161
03:07:59,200 --> 03:08:07,120
And in sitting in
the um first meetings this morning, a

2162
03:08:05,600 --> 03:08:12,880
lot of things were brought up about
costs,

2163
03:08:08,720 --> 03:08:19,760
cost of water, cost of health care, cost
of hospital issues and so on. And gosh,

2164
03:08:17,680 --> 03:08:24,720
I'm really nervous saying this. When I
speak for public for a living, I guess

2165
03:08:22,160 --> 03:08:32,000
that's because I really care about this.
I would like to ask you to look at the

2166
03:08:27,920 --> 03:08:38,880
long-term cost if something isn't done.
Like Marina said, you know, this might

2167
03:08:34,560 --> 03:08:44,560
be 40 years too late, but it's in all of
our hands now to do something about

2168
03:08:41,439 --> 03:08:49,920
this. And there's people who are
adamantly, you know, have issues against

2169
03:08:47,040 --> 03:08:55,840
it, which, you know, I hear you and
respect you. And I also hear and respect

2170
03:08:53,279 --> 03:09:02,960
what everyone is saying about this. And
the bottom line is everybody

2171
03:08:59,520 --> 03:09:06,000
loves this area. We love it or we
wouldn't be sitting here all these hours

2172
03:09:04,640 --> 03:09:12,240
and you guys wouldn't be doing what
you're doing. And none nobody here has

2173
03:09:09,279 --> 03:09:18,240
said we want a Walmart. We want a love
truck stop. We want a Marriott. All we

2174
03:09:15,120 --> 03:09:25,680
want is to preserve what we have. And we
want guidelines in place for you helping

2175
03:09:21,120 --> 03:09:30,800
us to do this before it's too late. So I
want to thank you for your service.

2176
03:09:28,640 --> 03:09:38,240
And we say that to our police. say thank
you and thank you to Kay, Marina, Sam,

2177
03:09:35,279 --> 03:09:43,600
and everybody that's here that's
speaking their heart and their soul

2178
03:09:40,479 --> 03:09:48,560
because we all want what's best. So
obviously we support this and I would

2179
03:09:45,920 --> 03:09:52,640
like my comments to go in all three of
these initiatives. So I'm going to turn

2180
03:09:50,560 --> 03:09:57,279
it over to my much smarter and
significant husband.

2181
03:09:55,600 --> 03:10:02,880
Sure.
>> Um, when I came here today, my name is

2182
03:09:59,439 --> 03:10:06,640
Steve Law. We live on for Greenland
right on the river [clears throat] off

2183
03:10:04,800 --> 03:10:15,200
28787.
I came here putting myself as a judge

2184
03:10:11,520 --> 03:10:21,520
and uh kind of what you're doing here
and knowing that you have to make this

2185
03:10:18,160 --> 03:10:26,160
decision. I've been businessman, been on
many boards my life. understand how

2186
03:10:24,080 --> 03:10:33,120
tough these decisions are that you have
to make.

2187
03:10:28,000 --> 03:10:38,960
But again, my situation is um I was kind
of neutral on this thing. Uh my wife's

2188
03:10:35,920 --> 03:10:44,160
big on it. I do support it. I wrote a
few checks

2189
03:10:40,720 --> 03:10:48,880
and but also I'm a property rights guy
and I don't like the government meddling

2190
03:10:46,479 --> 03:10:54,880
in my situation. Well, this really isn't
the government. This is us. This is the

2191
03:10:51,680 --> 03:10:59,040
people that live here. And I mean, you
can't get 65%

2192
03:10:57,359 --> 03:11:06,960
of the people to vote for the president
of the United States, let alone vote for

2193
03:11:02,080 --> 03:11:12,720
for this referendum. So all I would like
to do, all I know listening as a judge,

2194
03:11:10,720 --> 03:11:18,000
the only negatives I've heard is people
like that have a con a conservative

2195
03:11:15,520 --> 03:11:22,800
easement, conservation easement, and
they kind of did the same thing we're

2196
03:11:19,359 --> 03:11:27,279
trying to it was it's almost the same
because nobody can build on on their

2197
03:11:25,760 --> 03:11:31,439
property because they have the easement
and we're trying to do the same thing.

2198
03:11:29,920 --> 03:11:37,920
Um,
I uh we I have a company and we put

2199
03:11:35,359 --> 03:11:47,120
trusses on an apartment or not an
apartment, a hotel in Island Park.

2200
03:11:42,479 --> 03:11:54,960
A great big gigantic hotel. Okay. Well,
when you go there in the summer, it is a

2201
03:11:51,040 --> 03:11:59,920
mad house. Didn't used to be. So, how
would you like a Love's truck stop on

2202
03:11:58,240 --> 03:12:05,600
287
and 87? And they somebody said, "Oh,

2203
03:12:03,200 --> 03:12:11,680
we've already ruined the wildlife. Put
that thing in and you see what it does

2204
03:12:07,840 --> 03:12:16,880
to wildlife." So, um, and somebody else
said, "This is big money driving this."

2205
03:12:14,080 --> 03:12:22,640
No, this isn't this is a grassroots
thing that Kay and some others put

2206
03:12:19,040 --> 03:12:27,520
together. And so this is a people's
decision. This isn't a government

2207
03:12:24,960 --> 03:12:34,080
decision. And like I said, I respect
people too that are against it. But this

2208
03:12:30,399 --> 03:12:39,920
is the majority. And that's what you
grew up to do that. But all I can say is

2209
03:12:36,720 --> 03:12:43,080
I was a judge in this deal. I pass it.
Thank you.

2210
03:12:50,080 --> 03:12:55,319
Okay.
Also,

2211
03:13:12,960 --> 03:13:21,080
I don't think it sounds
>> [clears throat]

2212
03:13:17,600 --> 03:13:21,080
» broad public

2213
03:13:21,680 --> 03:13:28,640
one more time. Real short. My name's
John Lake and I'm short.

2214
03:13:27,389 --> 03:13:36,000
[laughter]
>> Yes. There's a really great and I'm 1511

2215
03:13:33,200 --> 03:13:45,920
Highway 287.
There's a really good short Christian

2216
03:13:40,160 --> 03:13:54,920
song starts out, I can only imagine.
I can only imagine. Think of that song.

2217
03:13:50,560 --> 03:13:54,920
What my eyes would see

2218
03:13:56,479 --> 03:14:00,600
in a valley without protection

2219
03:14:00,880 --> 03:14:09,920
without rules and guardrails. I can only
imagine open storage

2220
03:14:07,359 --> 03:14:17,600
of 87
truck stops, trailer parks, pop stores,

2221
03:14:13,680 --> 03:14:22,399
and a degraded Madison River. It takes
courage

2222
03:14:19,279 --> 03:14:28,680
to make guard rails. And I encourage the
support of all these CI

2223
03:14:25,680 --> 03:14:28,680
areas.

2224
03:14:32,479 --> 03:14:39,120
Believe I understand that after the
online comments there I could come up

2225
03:14:35,520 --> 03:14:43,439
again. So um follow us a rebuttal really
quickly. I full I can't promise that

2226
03:14:41,760 --> 03:14:48,720
because
um I just want to address our judge

2227
03:14:46,239 --> 03:14:53,600
Steve here who says this it's not the
government and and and I hope that it

2228
03:14:50,720 --> 03:14:58,880
was not a misconr that that's what I
believe that hey the government's after

2229
03:14:55,200 --> 03:15:04,000
us. I actually applaud the effort. I
applaud the intention. Um but I do think

2230
03:15:02,000 --> 03:15:10,399
that some of this has come about in bad
faith. It's not representative of the

2231
03:15:06,960 --> 03:15:16,800
the public. Um and and and also I
understand that um in terms of I respect

2232
03:15:14,399 --> 03:15:22,399
the commission's decision-making ability
here, but it has come to you from

2233
03:15:19,920 --> 03:15:25,760
another governing body that has put
these things together and it's it's

2234
03:15:24,160 --> 03:15:32,000
almost today it looks like a binary
decision whether or not we will adopt it

2235
03:15:28,160 --> 03:15:40,640
or not. and and and that is without
having addressed my concerns about the

2236
03:15:36,319 --> 03:15:44,000
the um the provisions of these uh zones
which are again somebody mentioned that

2237
03:15:42,399 --> 03:15:49,920
they were all the same. They're very
similar. Um to address that

2238
03:15:46,960 --> 03:15:54,800
specifically, I have no desire to have
commercial uh endeavor. I wouldn't know

2239
03:15:52,640 --> 03:16:00,560
how I don't know how to make money. I
just work my job for a living. But I do

2240
03:15:58,160 --> 03:16:04,239
I did specifically look for 40 acres
where there would be enough room that I

2241
03:16:02,479 --> 03:16:08,000
could build a home small home. We have a
thousand acres that we're trying to not

2242
03:16:05,840 --> 03:16:11,840
thousand a thousand square feet that we
would like to build once we have money

2243
03:16:09,680 --> 03:16:17,279
because we don't have a lot of money and
then someday maybe an out cabin for my

2244
03:16:14,479 --> 03:16:21,279
daughter and I have five children. But
as the provisions are stated I would be

2245
03:16:19,359 --> 03:16:25,439
allowed one primary building, one
auxiliary building and one other

2246
03:16:22,880 --> 03:16:29,359
building. Our dream if we were included
in these zones would effectively be

2247
03:16:27,200 --> 03:16:34,319
crushed. And we looked for a very long
time and we rejected the Sphinx Mountain

2248
03:16:32,479 --> 03:16:38,000
subdivision. There's Hog something over
there because 20 acres that we were

2249
03:16:36,319 --> 03:16:42,880
going to buy because of the covenants
were effectively reduced to a single

2250
03:16:39,840 --> 03:16:48,479
acre of usable land. and and we wrote a
letter to the to that area and we said

2251
03:16:45,600 --> 03:16:52,560
we would like to be lot 65 exempt this
from this covenant because we love the

2252
03:16:50,560 --> 03:16:57,600
area but we want this to be a place for
our family to come enjoy for generations

2253
03:16:55,040 --> 03:17:01,200
but the provisions as stated for all of
them you know speaking der mainly for

2254
03:16:59,279 --> 03:17:04,160
the for this topic and applying them if
you will to all the rest some of these

2255
03:17:02,880 --> 03:17:09,520
comments I've already emailed for the
other ones are the fact that if adopted

2256
03:17:07,279 --> 03:17:13,600
these provisions would prevent my family
forever from using the property property

2257
03:17:11,520 --> 03:17:18,399
for the purpose that we bought it for
because the intention is to prevent

2258
03:17:16,000 --> 03:17:21,680
commercial endeavors from coming in.
That has not ever been our intention. It

2259
03:17:20,160 --> 03:17:26,000
is a beautiful piece of property. We
would love to spend our summers there.

2260
03:17:23,920 --> 03:17:32,319
We would love to grow it over time. I
don't have money to do that with today.

2261
03:17:29,279 --> 03:17:37,760
um speaking to I am not aware that there
are ex there's external money coming

2262
03:17:34,560 --> 03:17:41,520
into this um either but I I do get the
sense with for my own senses from my

2263
03:17:39,520 --> 03:17:48,080
eyes that sees a very professional
website persistent hours that are spent

2264
03:17:44,640 --> 03:17:52,319
into this a professional um law firm
representing

2265
03:17:49,600 --> 03:17:56,880
you know the the the positive side of
this I feel passionate about it because

2266
03:17:54,960 --> 03:18:02,960
they've had three years to prepare their
case and we essentially have beginning

2267
03:18:00,000 --> 03:18:08,000
today and referencing the statute I'm
aware that beginning once that if that

2268
03:18:06,319 --> 03:18:13,200
zone was accepted there would be six
months to object um we as citizens some

2269
03:18:11,760 --> 03:18:17,760
of us would look to the commission like
what can you do for us that is not your

2270
03:18:15,040 --> 03:18:22,720
role if if our us as citizens wanted to
come together and object to this we

2271
03:18:19,760 --> 03:18:25,920
would have to mass amass the same kind
of support that's been garnered over the

2272
03:18:24,399 --> 03:18:32,479
last three years we would have to do
that in six months and so My my prayer

2273
03:18:30,080 --> 03:18:39,439
to the to the committee is effectively
that they consider ways to buy us time

2274
03:18:36,319 --> 03:18:43,920
so that the opposing um voice can be
heard. I am concerned that that 60% that

2275
03:18:42,080 --> 03:18:49,840
everybody's leaning on the statute for
was acquired in bad faith that that that

2276
03:18:47,680 --> 03:18:53,920
well-intentioned if there was somebody
like me who objected they would go find

2277
03:18:51,680 --> 03:18:57,680
somebody else that approves so that they
can get their way and I as an individual

2278
03:18:55,840 --> 03:19:03,120
citizen would have to amass support to
object to that within the next six

2279
03:18:59,120 --> 03:19:07,520
months. Um Alicia Rosati was concerned
they don't have money to file for

2280
03:19:04,319 --> 03:19:12,800
covenants. That's our position today,
that within the next six months, we

2281
03:19:09,200 --> 03:19:18,160
would have to amass a a opposition to
this in order to legally defeat the the

2282
03:19:16,160 --> 03:19:22,640
statute that's before us right now. And
so I'm concerned that it's it's it's a

2283
03:19:20,319 --> 03:19:26,800
foregone conclusion. And it's been said
that over the course of time, some of

2284
03:19:25,600 --> 03:19:32,560
people are hoping that they will be
enveloped into this. If my property was

2285
03:19:29,520 --> 03:19:38,479
eventually enveloped into this, despite
my objection, it would be now and into

2286
03:19:35,359 --> 03:19:46,000
perpetuity, my family could never could
never achieve the dream that we bought

2287
03:19:41,279 --> 03:19:50,399
the property for. And so I would ask
that more time be bought and that if

2288
03:19:48,880 --> 03:19:56,080
it's possible for the commission to go
look for those property owners that

2289
03:19:53,040 --> 03:19:59,279
maybe didn't hear about this are the
locals represented as well as the

2290
03:19:57,840 --> 03:20:03,040
foreigners from Connecticut and
Pennsylvania and all their parcels that

2291
03:20:01,040 --> 03:20:08,908
are just people temporary. Is there a
way to know that? I don't think we know

2292
03:20:04,319 --> 03:20:12,760
because we haven't had time. Thank you.
>> [clears throat]

2293
03:20:09,120 --> 03:20:12,760
» Are we allow rebuttal?

2294
03:20:12,880 --> 03:20:19,520
» Don't call it a rebuttal. Call it a
public comment. And he said I'll take a

2295
03:20:16,239 --> 03:20:22,520
second. I'll take a second. Um
question.

2296
03:20:28,239 --> 03:20:34,520
This this instructed me that I was
allowed to come up a second.

2297
03:20:31,520 --> 03:20:34,520
» Okay.

2298
03:20:35,040 --> 03:20:42,120
Have any more public comment? We got a
Robert O'Brien.

2299
03:20:39,120 --> 03:20:42,120
» Okay.

2300
03:20:42,720 --> 03:20:49,120
» Hi. Sorry for the delay here. I have a
baby here that delayed me from talking.

2301
03:20:46,800 --> 03:20:54,319
Uh my name is Robert O'Brien. I'm
speaking on behalf of my parents uh that

2302
03:20:51,439 --> 03:20:58,160
own a parcel uh in the Bigorn district.
Uh which is not being talked about

2303
03:20:55,840 --> 03:21:02,880
today. Uh I actually reside out of state
in Henderson, Nevada. Uh coincidentally,

2304
03:21:00,640 --> 03:21:08,560
the same city that uh the board members
Jerry Rambula and KS live in. Sorry,

2305
03:21:06,560 --> 03:21:12,319
that's my backup
backup singer baby here. Uh,

2306
03:21:10,640 --> 03:21:16,960
commissioners, I'd like to thank Kay and
the PRP uh group that has established

2307
03:21:15,680 --> 03:21:22,239
that she established for all the work
she's been putting in uh to try and

2308
03:21:18,960 --> 03:21:24,720
achieve 60% of votes. Uh, everybody's
already said these would be the first

2309
03:21:23,279 --> 03:21:30,640
districts, zoning districts in the
county and would set a major precedent.

2310
03:21:27,520 --> 03:21:38,000
Uh I'm sure none of us want to see uh
crowded development uh like Bosezeman uh

2311
03:21:34,479 --> 03:21:40,960
especially where where K resides. Uh so
today in support of managing uh

2312
03:21:39,680 --> 03:21:45,200
development and keeping the character of
the area uh we really f thought we

2313
03:21:43,120 --> 03:21:49,120
should lead by example.
Uh we did this rather than supporting

2314
03:21:47,200 --> 03:21:56,239
these CZDs.
We voluntarily imposed covenants on our

2315
03:21:51,359 --> 03:22:00,720
own parcel. uh we did not wish to or
vote to impose covenants on 40% of our

2316
03:21:58,640 --> 03:22:06,640
neighbors. That's what's going on today.
This is not 60% deciding uh to protect

2317
03:22:04,080 --> 03:22:12,000
their land. This is 60% deciding to
impose restrictions on their neighbors.

2318
03:22:09,359 --> 03:22:17,680
Uh self-imposed covenants are voluntary
zoning. The CIDDS today are not

2319
03:22:15,120 --> 03:22:23,439
voluntary. Uh this is essentially
tyranny of the majority. Right? If you

2320
03:22:20,399 --> 03:22:27,439
hit 60%, you are now inflicting all of
these restrictions on your neighbors

2321
03:22:25,279 --> 03:22:31,359
whether you like them or not. Uh so
there's two questions I have today. Uh

2322
03:22:29,279 --> 03:22:36,239
and these can be answered later. Uh
first, what is the limit on the number

2323
03:22:32,960 --> 03:22:42,160
of votes per parcel? So this particular
district has only seven parcels. Uh does

2324
03:22:39,600 --> 03:22:46,000
one parcel with four owners have four
times the voting right of a single owner

2325
03:22:44,160 --> 03:22:50,479
parcel?
Uh is that spelled out anywhere? and has

2326
03:22:48,160 --> 03:22:56,479
that been verified? Uh the same question
applies to the other districts. And that

2327
03:22:52,960 --> 03:23:01,359
also leads me to uh another question.
Why is this split up into four zoning

2328
03:22:58,160 --> 03:23:05,439
districts uh uh with three of which
we're talking about today? Why not one

2329
03:23:03,840 --> 03:23:09,600
large zoning district if we're trying to
protect the whole valley, right? Uh

2330
03:23:07,840 --> 03:23:12,960
gerrymandering. So, it's been brought up
multiple times today. That's the number

2331
03:23:11,200 --> 03:23:18,720
one word that keeps coming to my head
today. Uh is gerrymandering. These CICDs

2332
03:23:16,960 --> 03:23:24,640
have absolutely been gerrymandered into
three small portions so that we can get

2333
03:23:22,080 --> 03:23:29,920
60% of the votes in each portion rather
than do it for the whole valley. Uh so

2334
03:23:26,960 --> 03:23:34,319
I'd close today by asking uh the 60% of
the majority who voted for this to

2335
03:23:32,000 --> 03:23:38,399
follow our lead and put restricted
covenants on your own properties. Uh

2336
03:23:36,399 --> 03:23:42,880
we've done that. We're trying to be good
stewards of the area. Uh we've been here

2337
03:23:40,800 --> 03:23:47,040
for decades. You do not need to try and
impose these on your neighbors. this is

2338
03:23:44,560 --> 03:23:51,359
not the path forward for this. Uh let's
let's find an alternative to this. Uh

2339
03:23:49,279 --> 03:23:56,800
whether that means waiting to implement
these or looking at alternatives. Uh uh

2340
03:23:55,359 --> 03:24:00,479
if you'd like to impose rules on your
neighbors without their consent, maybe

2341
03:23:58,960 --> 03:24:04,040
California is a better retirement
location for you.

2342
03:24:16,560 --> 03:24:19,800
Looks like

2343
03:24:23,279 --> 03:24:32,120
we're out of public comment. I guess we
could conclude this hearing.

2344
03:24:29,120 --> 03:24:32,120
And

2345
03:24:33,279 --> 03:24:37,399
with that, I guess

2346
03:24:42,080 --> 03:24:47,560
this
decision date.

2347
03:24:48,560 --> 03:24:55,120
» So, you're saying we're done with
listening to public comment, you think?

2348
03:24:52,000 --> 03:25:00,160
Um, how does the uh if people wanted to
discuss further about what other like

2349
03:24:58,319 --> 03:25:05,359
rebuttals and stuff? How do we move
forward with that

2350
03:25:02,640 --> 03:25:09,200
or do [clears throat] we do we just
listen to

2351
03:25:07,520 --> 03:25:11,520
» just trying to understand the process?
Colton,

2352
03:25:09,920 --> 03:25:16,479
» come on. Yeah, I would just call for
additional public comment. Anyone else

2353
03:25:13,279 --> 03:25:21,200
has anything else to say?
Say it. [clears throat]

2354
03:25:18,080 --> 03:25:23,760
Not then, uh, you could entertain a
motion to take this all under

2355
03:25:22,160 --> 03:25:27,040
advisement. Make a decision at future
date. Entertain a motion to make a

2356
03:25:25,760 --> 03:25:32,800
decision if you feel have enough
information.

2357
03:25:29,439 --> 03:25:37,720
It's up to you as commissioners.
>> And once public comments, it's

2358
03:25:34,000 --> 03:25:37,720
exhausted. There's nothing.

2359
03:25:38,080 --> 03:25:45,200
So, I think there was some interest in
rebottling some of the um answer some of

2360
03:25:43,200 --> 03:25:52,239
these questions that they had and I
personally would like to hear um what

2361
03:25:48,720 --> 03:25:59,479
the what some of the answers to these
some of these comments would be.

2362
03:25:56,239 --> 03:25:59,479
So, I

2363
03:26:00,560 --> 03:26:07,680
» it's chairman's prerogative.
>> Yeah. Okay. Well, what I'd like to see

2364
03:26:05,439 --> 03:26:13,680
is let's take this information that we
gathered on advisor and set a a date to

2365
03:26:12,239 --> 03:26:23,319
make [clears throat] the final decision.
And I I think I have that on the agenda

2366
03:26:17,439 --> 03:26:23,319
for September 15th. Is that right?

2367
03:26:25,120 --> 03:26:28,840
November 15th

2368
03:26:33,040 --> 03:26:39,279
to do that.
But for the previous we [clears throat]

2369
03:26:37,359 --> 03:26:43,040
did Yes.
That was the ninth day. Oh, is it? Oh,

2370
03:26:41,760 --> 03:26:49,439
I'm sorry.
>> Uh, the previous one that was the nth if

2371
03:26:46,160 --> 03:26:53,040
you want to do with that same day.
>> The 15th.

2372
03:26:50,560 --> 03:26:59,840
» The 15th is the Tuesday. [clears throat]
>> We got to continue on the other one,

2373
03:26:56,560 --> 03:27:05,120
» right? to do the
>> for Commissioner Gilman's concerns. If

2374
03:27:03,120 --> 03:27:10,560
he'd like to hear rebuttals, I think we
should do it if those people are present

2375
03:27:08,960 --> 03:27:15,920
» because we could we still have some time
on this particular unless we wanted to

2376
03:27:13,040 --> 03:27:21,680
recess for lunch or something. But uh we
do have a little time to listen to a few

2377
03:27:18,399 --> 03:27:27,880
more comments on uh you know some of
these uh

2378
03:27:24,880 --> 03:27:27,880
concerns.

2379
03:27:28,560 --> 03:27:35,479
Anybody here want to pull up a rebuttal?
>> Sure.

2380
03:27:36,960 --> 03:27:44,560
» Council owner at seventh and modern
lane. I do not

2381
03:27:42,560 --> 03:27:51,120
I do not want Anderson to that by the
way and um

2382
03:27:47,600 --> 03:27:56,640
I hadn't opted to rebut because I feel
like the facts stand for themselves but

2383
03:27:53,920 --> 03:28:01,200
I do want to answer your questions and
if do you have specific questions that I

2384
03:27:59,120 --> 03:28:05,680
could answer I'm happy to do.
>> Yeah. I mean I just thought I I know the

2385
03:28:03,439 --> 03:28:10,000
gentleman in the back there had had
offered to uh discuss some more. So, I

2386
03:28:08,640 --> 03:28:14,399
just kind of was curious to see what he
wanted to say as far where I was going

2387
03:28:11,439 --> 03:28:20,200
with that.
>> Oh, Jerry. Oh,

2388
03:28:16,239 --> 03:28:20,200
» well, I just

2389
03:28:22,160 --> 03:28:29,439
» Are you going to talk about the average?
>> That's what I was going to talk about.

2390
03:28:28,000 --> 03:28:32,880
» Sounds like we have opportunity to speak
here. Okay.

2391
03:28:30,239 --> 03:28:38,479
» We were trying to be respectful of what
we understood were the

2392
03:28:35,359 --> 03:28:41,520
orders of the of the meeting. Uh I'm
still willing to do that. I want to be

2393
03:28:40,000 --> 03:28:44,960
respectful certainly of your time as
well.

2394
03:28:42,640 --> 03:28:50,479
» Uh so why don't you speak to your piece
because I just collect my thoughts.

2395
03:28:48,000 --> 03:28:55,120
» Okay. Thank you. So the um there were
several things that were said that of

2396
03:28:53,040 --> 03:28:58,080
course each side will say well they said
this and it wasn't true. They said this

2397
03:28:56,720 --> 03:29:03,520
and it wasn't true. And I don't think
that that is really productive for you

2398
03:29:00,399 --> 03:29:07,120
to hear that back and forth. But I would
say we do have documented evidence of

2399
03:29:05,520 --> 03:29:12,880
all of our outreach for over three
years. Uh newsletters, community

2400
03:29:09,680 --> 03:29:16,960
meetings, uh when I personally would be
calling people to make sure they were

2401
03:29:14,399 --> 03:29:22,640
aware of things. Mr. Waters has been
involved in some of our Zooms. He is on

2402
03:29:20,080 --> 03:29:27,680
our email list. So I mean there's no
there's no last minute notification

2403
03:29:24,640 --> 03:29:33,760
unless somebody um gave information
other than whatever the rest of the

2404
03:29:29,359 --> 03:29:37,840
public received. And as far as uh people
who are saying that they are very

2405
03:29:36,080 --> 03:29:41,279
conservationminded,
I would say that not all of the people

2406
03:29:39,520 --> 03:29:46,319
that were speaking against this have
conservation easements on their property

2407
03:29:43,840 --> 03:29:50,720
and that one particular large parcel has
been for sale for a couple of years. And

2408
03:29:48,720 --> 03:29:56,560
it could be that some of the motivate
motivification motivation behind

2409
03:29:53,840 --> 03:30:01,359
opposing this is because they don't want
to do what is going to be in the zoning

2410
03:29:58,720 --> 03:30:05,520
regulations. if these regulations are
adopted and therefore they're just

2411
03:30:03,200 --> 03:30:09,760
opposing it now in anticipation of doing
something else. So I didn't really want

2412
03:30:07,840 --> 03:30:13,439
to do that but I just wanted to explain
that to you Mr. Gilman because you

2413
03:30:11,840 --> 03:30:18,640
haven't been involved in this as long as
Mr. and I or Mr. Todd and you weren't

2414
03:30:15,840 --> 03:30:24,560
here but the RV park situation came
before the commission and we have a long

2415
03:30:22,080 --> 03:30:29,120
history of involvement in the community
and being very transparent. our

2416
03:30:27,120 --> 03:30:34,960
regulations and our maps have been on
our website since August of 2025.

2417
03:30:32,560 --> 03:30:40,479
We have in our we actually said
postcards for property owners in the

2418
03:30:38,239 --> 03:30:45,680
Reynolds Pass area, not just people in
CISDS letting them know that the

2419
03:30:43,200 --> 03:30:50,399
regulations and maps are on the website
and please comment. So, I mean, I feel

2420
03:30:47,920 --> 03:30:55,840
like we've done an exemplary job of
letting people know what is going on.

2421
03:30:53,040 --> 03:30:59,560
And I'll stop with that. And then Jerry,
did you want to say anything?

2422
03:31:02,080 --> 03:31:07,920
Not to hammer another nail in the
coffin, but I mean for you not to be

2423
03:31:05,520 --> 03:31:13,120
aware of what's been going on in Madison
Valley for like the last four years. I

2424
03:31:10,560 --> 03:31:19,200
mean, everybody that lives at that
valley is aware of this, but unless you

2425
03:31:16,239 --> 03:31:24,399
and one of our challenges in fact I can
tell you is

2426
03:31:21,120 --> 03:31:28,880
communicating. This may be answering why
why we had to split up because we have

2427
03:31:26,160 --> 03:31:33,680
limited resources. Five people in terms
of trying to contact that many people

2428
03:31:31,760 --> 03:31:37,600
who don't live here. You gentlemen know
this as well as anybody does. 90% of the

2429
03:31:36,160 --> 03:31:42,160
people don't live here full-time, let
alone trying to contact them on a

2430
03:31:40,239 --> 03:31:46,319
regular basis. It's an incredible
challenge. It's taken us that long to

2431
03:31:44,160 --> 03:31:52,479
get any kind of consistent messaging
out. So, it's not without K's point.

2432
03:31:49,920 --> 03:31:56,800
It's not without a humongous three-year
effort that we've had an ongoing effort

2433
03:31:54,960 --> 03:32:01,920
to communicate, make sure our
communication is correct and accurate

2434
03:31:58,560 --> 03:32:05,439
and legal. It's been a process. And with
limited resources,

2435
03:32:03,920 --> 03:32:10,080
when you don't have enough employees,
you have to trim the business back. You

2436
03:32:08,319 --> 03:32:17,120
guys know that we didn't have we don't
have enough people to reach out

2437
03:32:14,000 --> 03:32:21,520
in such remote areas and communicate.
we're just there's just not enough of us

2438
03:32:18,800 --> 03:32:28,960
or enough money quite frankly to answer
the question about why things suddenly

2439
03:32:23,359 --> 03:32:32,960
be split up. Um the second part is
uh

2440
03:32:30,560 --> 03:32:38,319
I would hate to think
that I would crush somebody's dream of

2441
03:32:36,080 --> 03:32:44,560
living in Montan or serving Medicine
Valley and nor would I even want to be

2442
03:32:40,479 --> 03:32:50,560
any part of that. Uh but the
the other side of that for those of us

2443
03:32:47,520 --> 03:32:55,520
who all appreciate this area is and and
believe me I waited 30 years to finding

2444
03:32:52,560 --> 03:33:00,399
add on to my house.
What happens if in the interim of us

2445
03:32:57,840 --> 03:33:07,000
waiting to do something that somebody
does build

2446
03:33:02,640 --> 03:33:07,000
motel sits next to your property?

2447
03:33:07,040 --> 03:33:14,479
What do you tell your family that they
can go swim in their pool? I mean pro

2448
03:33:12,960 --> 03:33:18,960
progress is happening. I think that's
the message that we're trying to deliver

2449
03:33:16,319 --> 03:33:27,359
here. Things were happening rapidly. If
we don't do things now, who does? And

2450
03:33:23,040 --> 03:33:33,200
will your property be what it was
20 years ago? Will it be that same

2451
03:33:29,120 --> 03:33:37,600
piece? It won't be. We know that
it's happening fast. Just look over the

2452
03:33:35,920 --> 03:33:43,439
hill. And these gentlemen live it every
day. Um,

2453
03:33:41,439 --> 03:33:46,800
I think that's the final thing. I think,
um,

2454
03:33:45,359 --> 03:33:48,640
yeah, I don't want to take in all your
time.

2455
03:33:47,439 --> 03:33:52,040
» Okay. Thank you.
>> Appreciate your

2456
03:33:52,960 --> 03:33:59,439
We have one more on the TV.
>> Okay,

2457
03:33:57,840 --> 03:34:04,479
» Dina, go ahead.
>> Hi, good afternoon everybody. Um, I'm

2458
03:34:02,720 --> 03:34:08,239
hailing from Michigan. I live in the
Manaste National Forest. My just to give

2459
03:34:06,399 --> 03:34:10,720
you background, my husband's born and
raised in Detroit. I was born and raised

2460
03:34:09,520 --> 03:34:15,680
in New York City. We're both first
generation Italians. We bought property

2461
03:34:13,600 --> 03:34:20,319
in Cameron Valley and we're in the zone
that didn't have enough votes. But I

2462
03:34:17,439 --> 03:34:24,560
just want to speak a little bit to this
um on conservation. So we own 10 acres

2463
03:34:22,960 --> 03:34:29,200
in the Manatee National Forest, which is
very hard to come by on a blue ribbon

2464
03:34:26,960 --> 03:34:34,160
trout stream, Pier Marquette. We do a
ton of conservation here. So I applaud

2465
03:34:32,399 --> 03:34:40,160
100%. My daughter's also a fish and
wildlife biologist. that's out west. So

2466
03:34:36,960 --> 03:34:45,600
applaud. Um and yes, you do have we do
have to do something. But hearing people

2467
03:34:42,319 --> 03:34:49,920
I I bought land 20 acres. I have
covenants. However, my covenants are not

2468
03:34:48,239 --> 03:34:56,000
as restrictive of what is being
proposed. So my concern is I just want

2469
03:34:53,680 --> 03:35:03,279
to be allowed to follow my covenants.
But when you read the document, it says

2470
03:35:00,000 --> 03:35:06,960
they have to be enforced or if they I to
me there should be

2471
03:35:05,040 --> 03:35:12,239
looking at homeowners that want to do
homeowner stuff. I think we can parcel

2472
03:35:09,600 --> 03:35:18,800
that out and and I can speak to Kay and
the whole group. They've been nothing

2473
03:35:14,239 --> 03:35:22,239
but open, honest, whatever. Um, I can't
speak enough of that and I wasn't

2474
03:35:20,319 --> 03:35:27,600
following it close enough to catch this
last piece. But I think with the whole

2475
03:35:24,800 --> 03:35:30,800
commercialization, I totally understand.
It's starting to rain so I'm going to go

2476
03:35:28,560 --> 03:35:36,160
inside in case it makes too loud. I
understand the commercialization. I

2477
03:35:32,800 --> 03:35:40,319
think there may be a way um to look at
this in a different that when you talk

2478
03:35:37,840 --> 03:35:47,640
about commercialization of property, you
can create restrictions

2479
03:35:43,040 --> 03:35:47,640
to you know

2480
03:35:48,239 --> 03:35:54,720
come through and widen 287 and create it
all the way and destroy it through the

2481
03:35:52,399 --> 03:36:00,239
whole Tetons and National Forest which
is insane that even anybody would even

2482
03:35:56,479 --> 03:36:04,239
speak of that. But I think there's a
marriage in the middle here and and I

2483
03:36:02,160 --> 03:36:08,479
know Kay and her group are willing to
meet us in the middle. Um and this

2484
03:36:06,800 --> 03:36:13,520
sometimes it comes out this way and it
flushes out. I implore everybody to

2485
03:36:11,200 --> 03:36:18,399
stick with it. Um let's work through
this. Let's get it in place, but let's

2486
03:36:16,319 --> 03:36:23,600
get the people that do have property
that are I want to build on my property.

2487
03:36:20,960 --> 03:36:27,760
I'm just not at the place yet. Um we're
getting there. But I I I want to have it

2488
03:36:25,600 --> 03:36:33,520
for my kids, too. and I have 20 acres
and if those the loophole that could

2489
03:36:31,040 --> 03:36:38,319
potentially lose that covenant then I
would have 20 acres I can't do nothing

2490
03:36:35,040 --> 03:36:42,399
with. So that is my concern. um not that
it can't get resolved, it can be

2491
03:36:40,080 --> 03:36:46,720
resolved, but I think we can all come
together with the committee as well as

2492
03:36:44,560 --> 03:36:52,720
this initiative with the and get a good
marriage in between. And I think we can

2493
03:36:49,359 --> 03:36:56,880
parse out the commercialization
um because those are two different ways

2494
03:36:54,640 --> 03:37:00,800
you can zone it. You can zone it as all
residential, you can zone it all

2495
03:36:58,239 --> 03:37:07,120
commercial. we can figure out another
way to do this um that protects the

2496
03:37:04,080 --> 03:37:10,800
sanctity of the land and what it was
there for and protect the wildlife,

2497
03:37:09,200 --> 03:37:17,359
protect what we need. But yet those that
are here that want to build a home um

2498
03:37:14,800 --> 03:37:22,239
can do so and keep it even with their co
their covenants that they do have

2499
03:37:19,439 --> 03:37:26,239
somehow grandfather them in indefinite.
So that protects them for the purchase

2500
03:37:24,239 --> 03:37:30,960
for the reason why we why I chose that
property was to have my retirement home

2501
03:37:28,640 --> 03:37:35,520
out there and have my kids have a home
too on the property. So again, I I

2502
03:37:34,000 --> 03:37:42,000
applaud it. I know it's not an easy
place for anybody to be. I am totally in

2503
03:37:38,239 --> 03:37:46,560
support of doing something for sure. Um,
but I do think this is a good

2504
03:37:43,600 --> 03:37:49,840
opportunity to get some more information
and tweak it a little bit and maybe just

2505
03:37:48,720 --> 03:37:54,560
really parse out the whole
commercialization of you can't put in a

2506
03:37:52,000 --> 03:38:00,720
hotel, you can't put in a a buck B, you
can't put in, you know, um, a Motel 6 or

2507
03:37:58,319 --> 03:38:04,239
you can't put in a property and put a
bunch of little cabins in it and shove

2508
03:38:02,160 --> 03:38:08,479
people on there. You know, I totally get
that. Um, and that's not something that

2509
03:38:06,479 --> 03:38:12,800
we wanted to do. We're conservationists.
We have a conservation easement and we

2510
03:38:11,279 --> 03:38:17,040
stick to the here and adhere to it. And
that would be what we would steward with

2511
03:38:14,080 --> 03:38:22,560
our 20 acres, but I need to be able to
build on my 20 acres, not potentially

2512
03:38:20,000 --> 03:38:25,439
lose that covenant if I don't follow if
they somehow are not followed or not

2513
03:38:24,080 --> 03:38:30,239
enforced. And I don't know what that
means. What does that mean? You know,

2514
03:38:28,000 --> 03:38:34,561
exactly who what who enforces? We don't
have a homeowners association to

2515
03:38:32,080 --> 03:38:37,439
enforce. So technically per the law,
[clears throat]

2516
03:38:35,120 --> 03:38:42,720
the way it's written, I would not have I
wouldn't be protected by the covenant

2517
03:38:39,600 --> 03:38:46,560
rule. So again, I'm all about working
together. I'm all about making this

2518
03:38:44,479 --> 03:38:52,080
work. I'm all about protecting the
water, all of it. I get it. Um but I do

2519
03:38:49,600 --> 03:38:55,520
think we need to speak to people who
live there, that have property, that

2520
03:38:53,439 --> 03:39:00,840
have dreams, and I think there's a good
marriage in the middle. We just got to

2521
03:38:56,800 --> 03:39:00,840
get there. Thank you.

2522
03:39:02,000 --> 03:39:11,200
Okay. With I think we'll conclude. Come
on out.

2523
03:39:08,640 --> 03:39:15,080
» Oh, okay. Is there any more public
comment? Sorry.

2524
03:39:21,680 --> 03:39:28,800
» Yeah. If there's no more public comment,
maybe the commissioners can entertain a

2525
03:39:25,279 --> 03:39:32,279
motion to close the hearing for the
particular district.

2526
03:39:34,239 --> 03:39:42,720
» Second that.
>> Okay. So hearing more comment we have

2527
03:39:39,120 --> 03:39:49,040
motion second to conclusion hearing. Any
further discussion hearing for the vote?

2528
03:39:47,120 --> 03:39:54,640
Mr.
a little tie.

2529
03:39:52,080 --> 03:39:59,439
» Procedurally, what we're discussing is
continuation of the first hearing to the

2530
03:39:56,960 --> 03:40:04,960
9th and then you're anticipating
decisions on the 15th just so we're

2531
03:40:02,560 --> 03:40:11,080
being open with everyone.
>> Yes. Um

2532
03:40:08,080 --> 03:40:11,080
yeah

2533
03:40:11,920 --> 03:40:19,840
sure is maybe would you it could be a
good idea to try to advertise the next

2534
03:40:17,120 --> 03:40:23,680
day be making a decision.
So but maybe you want to set it out an

2535
03:40:21,840 --> 03:40:26,680
additional week from that.
>> Okay.

2536
03:40:27,040 --> 03:40:33,279
» Thank you. I agree with that.
>> At your discretion

2537
03:40:31,600 --> 03:40:37,840
» is there a statutory requirement for
that?

2538
03:40:35,840 --> 03:40:40,880
No, unless you're if you want to notice
by newspaper, you'd have to notice for

2539
03:40:39,359 --> 03:40:46,520
two weeks,
>> which month,

2540
03:40:42,080 --> 03:40:46,520
» but in terms of going for a resolution,

2541
03:40:54,880 --> 03:40:58,717
» what's your prerogative, Mr. Chairman?
[clears throat]

2542
03:41:06,319 --> 03:41:12,960
I think it would be good to advertise it
if we can. I really do. That's more

2543
03:41:11,120 --> 03:41:16,720
transparent
and

2544
03:41:14,720 --> 03:41:22,640
said it'll be on the agenda for the
15th, September 15th. So to make the

2545
03:41:20,080 --> 03:41:26,080
final decision on
this hearing and then I guess probably

2546
03:41:24,319 --> 03:41:32,640
all of
them are done.

2547
03:41:28,479 --> 03:41:35,200
you it would run once if you did that,
but since there's no statutory

2548
03:41:34,000 --> 03:41:39,040
requirement, you don't need to have the
10e period.

2549
03:41:37,040 --> 03:41:42,319
» So, we're saying that we'll make the
final decision on all three of these on

2550
03:41:41,279 --> 03:41:44,479
the 15th.
>> Yes.

2551
03:41:42,640 --> 03:41:53,520
» Is that what you're telling me? And so,
but we will uh continue the um comments

2552
03:41:49,600 --> 03:41:59,680
on the previous u
proposed uh CICD on the 9th 10th, isn't

2553
03:41:59,040 --> 03:42:02,680
it?
>> N

2554
03:42:05,439 --> 03:42:11,040
Okay, you're right. The nth. You're
right. [clears throat]

2555
03:42:08,640 --> 03:42:18,720
Okay. Yes,
that's correct. Okay. And then um but we

2556
03:42:15,200 --> 03:42:24,359
still have the next hearing to
>> Yes.

2557
03:42:21,359 --> 03:42:24,359
» Okay.

2558
03:42:26,479 --> 03:42:31,760
Thanks.
Did we not make a motion? I thought you

2559
03:42:30,160 --> 03:42:37,760
had We could do that.
>> You made a motion to close the hearing,

2560
03:42:35,840 --> 03:42:42,160
» but no motion has been made.
>> Oh, then I would move to do what I just

2561
03:42:40,640 --> 03:42:44,319
said.
Okay,

2562
03:42:43,040 --> 03:42:50,724
» I will second that.
>> Okay, so we have a motion to second

2563
03:42:46,960 --> 03:42:50,724
continue the [clears throat]

2564
03:42:50,880 --> 03:43:02,479
J mountain citizen of district hearing
September 9th

2565
03:42:59,840 --> 03:43:08,239
to make the final decision
for all of the hearings on September

2566
03:43:05,120 --> 03:43:12,239
15th of our meetings. Any further
discussion?

2567
03:43:10,080 --> 03:43:16,600
Right. I will call to the board.
>> I didn't quite hear motion except

2568
03:43:17,439 --> 03:43:22,479
» pardon me.
>> I thought I heard you say the night.

2569
03:43:21,680 --> 03:43:26,479
» Yeah,
>> he was reiterating that there will be a

2570
03:43:24,720 --> 03:43:33,199
continuation on the sheep mountain one
for behind but the decision on all of

2571
03:43:29,439 --> 03:43:37,080
these will be granted I mean will be
made on the 15th.

2572
03:43:37,120 --> 03:43:43,199
» Yeah.
>> Okay. All right.

2573
03:43:41,439 --> 03:43:45,279
Any further discussion on call of the
vote? Mr. T.

2574
03:43:44,479 --> 03:43:51,279
» Hi,
>> Mr. Hi.

2575
03:43:47,359 --> 03:43:55,720
» Chair. Okay, we'll take a break until
1:00. Thank you everybody.

2576
03:44:07,279 --> 03:44:10,760
Grab my glass

2577
03:44:20,479 --> 03:44:23,479
every

2578
03:44:23,840 --> 03:44:26,840
day.

2579
03:44:52,160 --> 03:44:55,640
That's what I'm saying.

2580
03:45:04,000 --> 03:45:07,720
And that was unmuted.

2581
03:45:12,560 --> 03:45:16,439
» Okay, it's one o'ce.

2582
03:45:19,359 --> 03:45:27,160
» Thankfully, I've never had which is the
ation of the

2583
03:45:29,040 --> 03:45:32,600
analopee bas

2584
03:45:35,520 --> 03:45:44,960
district.
So with that it is exactly 1:00.

2585
03:45:42,080 --> 03:45:49,720
I'll start the hearing at one o'clock
and we'll take public comments.

2586
03:45:49,760 --> 03:46:00,160
» Thank you. uh before uh so I will state
that for the record the comments that I

2587
03:45:57,120 --> 03:46:05,279
made for the other two CICDs apply to
Analopee Basa but I want to take my

2588
03:46:02,720 --> 03:46:11,040
moments to address some confusion in the
room that I think it's been picked up

2589
03:46:07,359 --> 03:46:15,680
online and the confusion is that if
there's a 40 acre minimum in the

2590
03:46:13,680 --> 03:46:20,560
regulations that you cannot build for 20
acre parcel and that is absolutely not

2591
03:46:17,760 --> 03:46:27,120
the case. So the way the regulations
state very clearly is that you your

2592
03:46:24,239 --> 03:46:31,840
property is grandfathered and therefore
you have 20 acres now you could build on

2593
03:46:29,520 --> 03:46:37,439
it just as your covenants say that you
can build on it. If you have more than

2594
03:46:35,040 --> 03:46:43,359
40 acres in the future the property
can't be reduced to less than 40 acre

2595
03:46:39,840 --> 03:46:48,960
parcels. That is in the interest of uh
the migration quarter just as Matthew

2596
03:46:45,439 --> 03:46:53,359
was explaining earlier. So in no case in
fact we have spreadsheets of the

2597
03:46:50,479 --> 03:46:58,960
covenants of everything that we had
access to which is I think all of them

2598
03:46:56,800 --> 03:47:06,720
except Mr. O'Brien's I didn't know they
had covenants on their land now they

2599
03:47:00,800 --> 03:47:10,640
didn't before uh that the
in those covenants commercial dis

2600
03:47:09,120 --> 03:47:15,520
commercial development is almost
universally

2601
03:47:12,319 --> 03:47:20,160
uh not allowed. So that is when people
bought their property and they the

2602
03:47:18,319 --> 03:47:24,720
covenant said no commercial development
that is not a surprise to people. We

2603
03:47:21,920 --> 03:47:31,040
were very deliberate about that. It also
in most cases will say that 20 acres can

2604
03:47:28,800 --> 03:47:36,160
be divided into five acres and we don't
address any of that. We don't address

2605
03:47:33,600 --> 03:47:41,439
short-term rentals. We really are not.
The only thing that we are asking for is

2606
03:47:38,640 --> 03:47:46,319
no billboards, that for future
construction have downward-f facing

2607
03:47:43,199 --> 03:47:51,040
lights, and that you adhere to Madison
County fire regulations,

2608
03:47:48,640 --> 03:47:56,880
and that you do not have recreational
fires within certain number of feet of a

2609
03:47:53,920 --> 03:48:02,880
flammable structure or a flammable body
without it being in a a pit or a uh some

2610
03:48:01,199 --> 03:48:07,359
sort of container. that'll be monitored
at all times, which is again Madison

2611
03:48:04,800 --> 03:48:10,880
County fire regulations. And then we
also say that if you're going to have an

2612
03:48:08,800 --> 03:48:14,399
open burn, [clears throat] that you need
to follow Madison County fire

2613
03:48:12,640 --> 03:48:20,160
regulations, which requires a burn
permit. So, we're just mirroring the

2614
03:48:17,520 --> 03:48:24,880
county in those things. The unique thing
in the districts before us now, and some

2615
03:48:22,479 --> 03:48:29,439
speakers are not in those districts, is
the commercial development. And the

2616
03:48:27,040 --> 03:48:34,160
reason that it was created this way is
because so many of the covenants cannot

2617
03:48:31,199 --> 03:48:38,640
be enforced because there's no HOAs and
it pits neighbor against neighbor in

2618
03:48:36,080 --> 03:48:43,120
enforcing it. So people will call us and
say what can I do about this and we can

2619
03:48:40,640 --> 03:48:46,960
say you can't do anything
because you're not enforcing your ho

2620
03:48:45,040 --> 03:48:50,960
your covenants and that's not what we
do. We do not deal with people's

2621
03:48:48,880 --> 03:48:56,560
covenants. We're separate. The
regulations also clearly state that in a

2622
03:48:53,199 --> 03:49:00,560
case of covenants versus uh regulations,
the stricter the two apply. And on

2623
03:48:58,720 --> 03:49:05,120
almost all of the cases, the covenants
are far more strict than the

2624
03:49:01,920 --> 03:49:09,040
regulations. We do not tell you how uh
what color your building could be, what

2625
03:49:06,720 --> 03:49:12,319
kind of roof you can have. We do not do
any of those things. So, I just like to

2626
03:49:10,720 --> 03:49:16,279
clarify that for the record and then
I'll just give this to Sarah.

2627
03:49:36,239 --> 03:49:43,840
Hi, Maline Mason 97. A um I'd like to
continue my comments over from the last

2628
03:49:42,239 --> 03:49:47,920
zoning districts and pertaining to
Analope Basin specifically. Um just in

2629
03:49:46,319 --> 03:49:52,080
terms of the levy, I have the following
information. If Madison County fell into

2630
03:49:50,319 --> 03:49:56,880
the minority and chose to put a 1 mil
levy on Animal Basin zoning district

2631
03:49:54,160 --> 03:50:04,399
based on 2026 tax values, the county
would raise $236.87

2632
03:50:00,160 --> 03:50:07,560
across all the 28 property owners.
>> Thank you.

2633
03:50:17,199 --> 03:50:24,160
I do want to just uh put into the public
record my comments earlier member uh

2634
03:50:21,840 --> 03:50:28,640
meetings. My name is Samantha Arbaggast.
My address is 21 Moonwater Lane in

2635
03:50:26,239 --> 03:50:34,000
Cameron. Uh my husband and I own a home
down there and I'm also board member of

2636
03:50:30,000 --> 03:50:38,080
preserve Pass. Um some specific things
um that I wanted to point out with with

2637
03:50:35,920 --> 03:50:45,359
regards to public health and safety for
the Analopee Basin. um district. When

2638
03:50:42,319 --> 03:50:52,640
we're speaking about um response times
and distances, uh I just want to point

2639
03:50:48,000 --> 03:50:57,199
out that the um distance to the
uh Analopee [clears throat] Basin

2640
03:50:54,160 --> 03:51:02,319
District from the Inspire Station is 48
to 50 miles. That's um considerable

2641
03:50:59,600 --> 03:51:08,560
travel distance for emergency vehicles.
And for uh police response, it would be

2642
03:51:04,479 --> 03:51:12,640
61.5 miles from the Sheriff's Office,
which is a considerable distance as

2643
03:51:10,319 --> 03:51:15,279
well. Um and then the remaining of my
comments, I'll spare you reading the

2644
03:51:13,920 --> 03:51:21,600
whole letter again. You've heard it. I
just like to enter them into the record.

2645
03:51:18,800 --> 03:51:24,600
Thank you. Ryan's in support of the
districts.

2646
03:51:25,505 --> 03:51:27,524
[clears throat]

2647
03:51:28,560 --> 03:51:36,479
» Keith Shine, 25 Big Ben Road in Cameron.
Uh my wife and I again are not in any of

2648
03:51:34,239 --> 03:51:41,199
proposed districts, but we're here in
all of them.

2649
03:51:38,560 --> 03:51:46,239
I don't envy the commission the task you
have considering these proposed zoning

2650
03:51:43,199 --> 03:51:51,600
districts resolving differences between
people finding common ground. These are

2651
03:51:48,479 --> 03:51:57,600
not easy things easy things to do. My
wife serves on the board of our local

2652
03:51:54,239 --> 03:52:03,199
homeowners association. Got 14 homes, 40
members. were often in conflict just in

2653
03:52:00,720 --> 03:52:08,319
that small neighborhood.
And some of us don't think there should

2654
03:52:05,120 --> 03:52:13,040
be any rules at all because they want to
exempt themselves from conflict on that

2655
03:52:10,479 --> 03:52:18,479
basis.
Respectfully, I don't see it that way. I

2656
03:52:16,160 --> 03:52:23,680
believe society's rules create the basis
for people to be neighbors even when

2657
03:52:21,359 --> 03:52:27,120
they don't know each other or even in
some cases when they don't like each

2658
03:52:25,600 --> 03:52:31,840
other.
When we built our home, we had to submit

2659
03:52:29,520 --> 03:52:38,160
plans to our association for the size of
the home, color of the siding, color of

2660
03:52:35,040 --> 03:52:44,479
the roof. We didn't think that was
ownorous or limited our freedom or took

2661
03:52:41,520 --> 03:52:49,199
away our private property rights. We
thought that was the basis for us to

2662
03:52:46,640 --> 03:52:54,960
join our neighborhood because that was
the neighborhood rule.

2663
03:52:51,920 --> 03:52:59,359
We got to think as individuals that our
rights are greater or more fundamental

2664
03:52:57,359 --> 03:53:05,120
than the rights of the majority around
us. At the same time, it's wrong for a

2665
03:53:02,720 --> 03:53:10,560
majority to impose rules that deny
fundamental individual rights.

2666
03:53:08,080 --> 03:53:18,160
But the zoning guidelines offered by
PRP's plans don't do that. The proposed

2667
03:53:14,479 --> 03:53:23,359
zoning doesn't supplant or take primacy
over current neighborhood existing

2668
03:53:20,399 --> 03:53:30,479
bylaws or covenants. They don't attempt
a way to rest away individual property

2669
03:53:26,479 --> 03:53:34,560
rights. Zoning has as its primary goal
keeping in check large commercial

2670
03:53:32,960 --> 03:53:39,920
development
that threatens all owners and the rural

2671
03:53:37,760 --> 03:53:46,239
and agrarian character of the Madison
Valley and it's blunted but limited

2672
03:53:44,000 --> 03:53:52,479
natural resources.
Such rules are in every homeowner's best

2673
03:53:49,439 --> 03:54:00,399
interest and advance the protection of
the land. It's the right and necessary

2674
03:53:55,840 --> 03:54:04,640
thing to do, particularly since built
built into [clears throat] the rules, is

2675
03:54:02,239 --> 03:54:12,160
the flexibility to change them in the
future. Of course, there's opposition.

2676
03:54:09,359 --> 03:54:16,640
People don't want rules in their way.
They don't want government telling them

2677
03:54:14,160 --> 03:54:21,279
what to do, especially with their
private property.

2678
03:54:18,800 --> 03:54:28,000
But the Madison Valley, its people, and
the wildlife are not in the Wild West.

2679
03:54:25,040 --> 03:54:34,000
We're way past that because our
population has grown and is projected to

2680
03:54:30,800 --> 03:54:39,520
further grow. The land faces severe
threats.

2681
03:54:35,680 --> 03:54:47,120
Governance is needed. Controlled growth
is needed. Zoning is needed. Please do

2682
03:54:44,479 --> 03:54:52,600
write by the majority on the land and
pass the zoning districts. Thank you.

2683
03:54:58,080 --> 03:55:06,319
Ma'am Townsen 200 Jensen Road
Cameron. And this time I have a letter

2684
03:55:03,680 --> 03:55:09,319
to read and to be submitted to the
record

2685
03:55:12,479 --> 03:55:15,880
to the commissioners.

2686
03:55:16,000 --> 03:55:26,239
I topped the rise and beheld creation
and only the tongues of angels could

2687
03:55:23,279 --> 03:55:31,520
tell what I have seen. I doubt there's
anyone in the room for whom these words

2688
03:55:28,319 --> 03:55:36,239
have not responded res resonated every
time they [clears throat] come over

2689
03:55:33,520 --> 03:55:41,199
Norris Hill and behold the Madison
Valley.

2690
03:55:37,840 --> 03:55:47,040
We never tire of it. Hopefully, we never
will. We're here today because of an

2691
03:55:44,080 --> 03:55:52,960
opportunity to give this awe to our
children and to all those lucky enough

2692
03:55:50,000 --> 03:55:58,560
to top that rise.
This opportunity is inspired by a

2693
03:55:55,359 --> 03:56:05,680
community effort over several years to
protect the land, its resources, and a

2694
03:56:02,479 --> 03:56:13,199
way of life which has brought us and all
those before us to this place.

2695
03:56:09,920 --> 03:56:19,359
But we can't do it without you.
As commissioners, you're our avatars.

2696
03:56:16,800 --> 03:56:24,399
You represent the beliefs and uphold the
rights of this count of the county

2697
03:56:21,359 --> 03:56:28,560
residents in the complex world of
government.

2698
03:56:26,160 --> 03:56:32,319
Your work is difficult and often
unappreciated.

2699
03:56:30,960 --> 03:56:38,160
But you're more than just county
officials. You too live here and love

2700
03:56:35,760 --> 03:56:43,359
this valley.
But it's you who decide if the Madison

2701
03:56:40,560 --> 03:56:49,600
Valley will roll over rather than
protect itself from the inevitable.

2702
03:56:46,720 --> 03:56:54,239
and unspeakable permanent damage of
unbridled

2703
03:56:51,760 --> 03:56:58,439
commercial development.
You face an enormous burden.

2704
03:56:59,199 --> 03:57:06,800
As you wrestle with this decision to
support this community effort to protect

2705
03:57:03,600 --> 03:57:16,239
the land through CICDs,
let the place itself speak to you.

2706
03:57:11,920 --> 03:57:23,199
The chaos of the river, the spring,
the wind sculpted grasses of midsummer,

2707
03:57:20,880 --> 03:57:28,800
the herds as they gather in the fall to
mate with the naive belief that they

2708
03:57:26,479 --> 03:57:34,080
always will.
These are voices.

2709
03:57:31,680 --> 03:57:37,479
These are pleas.
These are responsibilities.

2710
03:57:38,080 --> 03:57:43,560
I'll close with the words of Terry
Tempest Williams.

2711
03:57:44,399 --> 03:57:54,000
Very hard not to be.
This is the hour of the land

2712
03:57:51,120 --> 03:57:58,160
when our mistakes and short companies
shortcomings

2713
03:57:55,600 --> 03:58:01,160
must be placed in the perspective of
time.

2714
03:58:10,720 --> 03:58:20,800
My name is Diane Olaf and I along with
my family own the Olaf ranch at 850 I

2715
03:58:16,960 --> 03:58:25,359
weigh 287 in Cameron. Like my remarks
from the earlier meeting this morning to

2716
03:58:23,439 --> 03:58:30,800
be forwarded and I do have another
statement as well. I as I've listened

2717
03:58:28,640 --> 03:58:35,840
today I have heard an awful lot about
the commercial development and I have

2718
03:58:32,880 --> 03:58:42,800
not heard a single person in this room
including our families who has said they

2719
03:58:38,880 --> 03:58:48,479
want commercial development.
My issue is that there's a lot more in

2720
03:58:45,359 --> 03:58:52,800
those petitions besides just limiting
commercial development. And I urge the

2721
03:58:50,640 --> 03:59:00,319
commissioners to to truly look through
there and see how those impact

2722
03:58:56,479 --> 03:59:05,160
the petition has statements that impact
other things besides commercial

2723
03:59:02,160 --> 03:59:05,160
development.

2724
03:59:07,199 --> 03:59:10,359
Thank you.

2725
03:59:13,760 --> 03:59:22,000
My name is Sandra Olaf Kokerta and I am
here along with my sister and my family

2726
03:59:18,800 --> 03:59:27,840
representing the Olaf ranch. And I would
like my comments from earlier to be

2727
03:59:24,080 --> 03:59:34,640
included in this this zoning meeting as
well. And I have um one question

2728
03:59:30,560 --> 03:59:40,720
regarding if these
restrictions are not as strict as many

2729
03:59:37,920 --> 03:59:44,640
of the homeowner associations,
then why are those properties even

2730
03:59:42,160 --> 03:59:49,120
included in these boundaries?
I just have a question on that and I'm

2731
03:59:47,040 --> 03:59:55,040
hoping that as commissioners you can
look at that and and decide if that is

2732
03:59:52,239 --> 03:59:58,199
necessarily where the battery should be.
Thank you.

2733
04:00:06,880 --> 04:00:09,880
Having

2734
04:00:13,199 --> 04:00:23,680
a view here, gentlemen. Uh
name's Jerry Rambula property

2735
04:00:19,840 --> 04:00:31,000
water lane Cameron
and just ask you my previous comments as

2736
04:00:27,359 --> 04:00:31,000
well as this list.

2737
04:00:42,160 --> 04:00:50,560
Good afternoon. My name is Dave
Arterburn. I live at number seven Sturdy

2738
04:00:47,920 --> 04:00:57,840
Lane. We built our home there next to
the Grizzly Bar 27 years ago. I want to

2739
04:00:54,640 --> 04:01:04,319
urge you to adopt these citizen
initiated zoning districts. I think it's

2740
04:01:00,800 --> 04:01:09,000
the right thing to do and protect our
valley. Thank you for your time.

2741
04:01:14,880 --> 04:01:25,439
Hi, my name is Virginia Pova and we own
143 acres at the south end of the uh

2742
04:01:23,439 --> 04:01:33,840
CICD.
Um, and I don't live there. I live on

2743
04:01:30,479 --> 04:01:39,040
Highway 20, off of Highway 20 in West
Yellowstone. And I just want to paint a

2744
04:01:36,000 --> 04:01:45,279
picture of what that used to look like
when I came over Tari Pass

2745
04:01:43,040 --> 04:01:52,239
back in 1975.
It's pretty much an open valley. And now

2746
04:01:48,960 --> 04:01:58,160
from the top of Tari Pass to the Madison
Arm Road which is about five miles. We

2747
04:01:55,680 --> 04:02:07,040
have about 40
driveways. Some are used now, some are

2748
04:02:01,359 --> 04:02:12,000
not. And we have all the biggest gate
going into Yellowstone Park. So you can

2749
04:02:08,960 --> 04:02:18,800
imagine the traffic we have there. And
there's no speed reductions.

2750
04:02:14,479 --> 04:02:24,000
And in that five miles we have
animals crossing with, you know, the

2751
04:02:22,640 --> 04:02:32,080
analopee, believe it or not, come from
the Madison Valley over Tari Pass and

2752
04:02:27,520 --> 04:02:38,160
some will summer there in our basin. And
we have three named subdivisions.

2753
04:02:35,359 --> 04:02:44,080
We have two KOAs. We have Forest Service
roads. We have a county road to Hegen

2754
04:02:40,479 --> 04:02:51,600
Lake. All these things recreational. We
have wetlands. We have riperian habitat.

2755
04:02:47,920 --> 04:02:57,600
We have a rodeo. We have two horse
rentals. We have a glamping resort. We

2756
04:02:54,880 --> 04:03:04,399
have a private ranch, a couple private
ranches. We have all these ATV trails

2757
04:03:01,680 --> 04:03:09,680
beside the road and in the mountains.
They're

2758
04:03:06,000 --> 04:03:16,160
constantly running around. And we have
three pot dispensaries now.

2759
04:03:13,680 --> 04:03:21,439
marijuana, whatever you want to call it,
within that five miles and then starts

2760
04:03:18,960 --> 04:03:28,319
the forest service. So, luckily things
quiet down and then we have a river

2761
04:03:25,040 --> 04:03:34,880
corridor there. We lose moose all the
time there. And then we have the signs.

2762
04:03:33,040 --> 04:03:40,800
We have all the billboards starting at
the base of the pass for Bearw World in

2763
04:03:37,279 --> 04:03:46,640
Idaho, for hotels, for restaurants, for
museums,

2764
04:03:42,319 --> 04:03:52,479
for camera stores, for saving wolves. We
have we have it all till the Forest

2765
04:03:48,479 --> 04:03:58,239
Service starts. And so, you know, you
know, for the hotels and the restaurants

2766
04:03:54,399 --> 04:04:02,720
and everything else in town and so and
all this, you know, if you go through

2767
04:03:59,840 --> 04:04:09,040
Idaho in Island Park, you've seen what's
happened to that. And, you know, we have

2768
04:04:05,359 --> 04:04:14,319
a signal now on 20 going through there.
And we have, you know, every little bird

2769
04:04:12,239 --> 04:04:19,199
you go through, you go down to 45 miles
an hour. And we don't have any of that.

2770
04:04:16,800 --> 04:04:26,319
So anyhow, I just want you to think
about those things when you think about

2771
04:04:22,479 --> 04:04:34,080
Highway 87, 287,
you know, and on down, you've all seen

2772
04:04:29,359 --> 04:04:37,920
the increase in all this. So we c, you
know, if anybody wants to go over there

2773
04:04:35,680 --> 04:04:42,080
and look at all the skid marks, you
know, at every one of these little

2774
04:04:39,840 --> 04:04:45,760
places and these three named
subdivisions, you know, we can't even

2775
04:04:43,680 --> 04:04:50,399
get out of our road, you know,
sometimes, you know, and then you add

2776
04:04:47,600 --> 04:04:59,279
the semi traffic that we already have on
Reynolds Pass. So it's just, you know,

2777
04:04:56,560 --> 04:05:05,880
take a look at what can happen and will
happen. So consider all these things

2778
04:05:01,760 --> 04:05:05,880
please. Thank you.

2779
04:05:15,199 --> 04:05:24,720
Paul up here. Uh my name is Pat Pova.
I'm going to read a letter from George

2780
04:05:22,640 --> 04:05:30,560
and Sila Bible that live on Reynolds
Pass. He's having cataract surgery

2781
04:05:27,439 --> 04:05:35,600
today, so he could not attend.
Effective zoning is not a restriction on

2782
04:05:32,960 --> 04:05:40,319
property rights. It is the community's
shared commitment to protecting the

2783
04:05:37,520 --> 04:05:47,920
values, resources, and quality of life
that make rural living desirable.

2784
04:05:44,319 --> 04:05:54,319
his statement in support of the CIZD
CIZD. We strongly support zoning in very

2785
04:05:51,600 --> 04:05:59,120
rural areas of Montana because it is one
of the best tools we have to protect the

2786
04:05:56,239 --> 04:06:04,000
land, open space and rural way of life
that people came here to preserve. In

2787
04:06:01,840 --> 04:06:09,680
places where homes, ranches, farms,
streams, wildlife habitats, and scenic

2788
04:06:06,880 --> 04:06:12,640
views are closely tied together. One
poorly [clears throat] placed

2789
04:06:10,479 --> 04:06:18,239
development can affect many neighbors
for generations.

2790
04:06:15,760 --> 04:06:22,640
Player fair zoning helps prevent
incompatible uses from being placed

2791
04:06:20,319 --> 04:06:27,439
where they do not belong while still
allowing responsible growth that

2792
04:06:25,359 --> 04:06:32,399
respects the land, protects nearby
property owners, and keeps the

2793
04:06:29,120 --> 04:06:37,359
community's rural character intact.
Zoning also creates

2794
04:06:35,279 --> 04:06:41,760
real local benefits for the community.
It helps protect the roads. wells,

2795
04:06:39,279 --> 04:06:45,840
emergency services,
schools, and volunteer fire resources

2796
04:06:43,760 --> 04:06:51,600
that rural residents depend on every
day. So growth does not create costs or

2797
04:06:49,520 --> 04:06:57,199
safety problems the community is not
prepared to hand. It supports good

2798
04:06:53,760 --> 04:07:04,199
neighbor relationships by reducing
conflicts over noise, traffic, water

2799
04:06:59,359 --> 04:07:04,199
use, and incompatible activities.

2800
04:07:04,479 --> 04:07:11,120
Thoughtful zoning gives everyone a
clearer expectation,

2801
04:07:08,960 --> 04:07:16,319
a clearer expectations, protects
property, private property values,

2802
04:07:13,760 --> 04:07:21,680
strengthens local decision making, and
helps preserve the community's identity.

2803
04:07:19,120 --> 04:07:26,560
In a rural Montana community, zoning is
not about stopping change. It's about

2804
04:07:24,399 --> 04:07:30,960
making sure that change happens
carefully, responsibly,

2805
04:07:28,720 --> 04:07:37,279
and in a way that benefits both current
residents and future generations.

2806
04:07:34,800 --> 04:07:42,960
I'll submit this from
George and Sadilla. They live at the

2807
04:07:40,080 --> 04:07:48,399
south end of Madison Valley
uh in the shadows of Horn Mount.

2808
04:07:46,160 --> 04:07:54,160
Uh I submitted this letter to the
commission on May 28th. I just thought I

2809
04:07:51,760 --> 04:08:00,880
would reread it. This is from my wife
and I today for people in the audience

2810
04:07:57,920 --> 04:08:05,120
probably have not seen it. Dear county
commissioners, our name is Pat and

2811
04:08:02,880 --> 04:08:09,520
Ginger Pova. We are property owners at
south end of Reynolds Pass. We're

2812
04:08:07,439 --> 04:08:15,040
writing to let you know our support for
the citizen and n initiated zoning

2813
04:08:12,399 --> 04:08:20,560
districts of Analopee Basin, Sheep
Mountain, Pongghorn Meadows, and Big

2814
04:08:17,520 --> 04:08:26,080
Horn Crossing. Our property is located
in the CIZD of Analopee Basin.

2815
04:08:24,239 --> 04:08:32,080
Our CICD
was submitted on April 14th, 2026 at the

2816
04:08:29,279 --> 04:08:37,600
regularly scheduled Madison County
Commissioners meeting. The Reynolds Pass

2817
04:08:34,960 --> 04:08:44,520
area has historically been agricultural.
This area is also a major wildlife

2818
04:08:40,319 --> 04:08:44,520
corridor for several species.

2819
04:08:45,120 --> 04:08:51,840
Reynolds
uh the concern of unregulated growth in

2820
04:08:49,520 --> 04:08:56,960
very is very real and needs to be
thought through very carefully. As an

2821
04:08:54,399 --> 04:09:01,439
example, surface water is very scarce on
the pass

2822
04:08:58,720 --> 04:09:06,080
and most wells are very deep. We have
one of the few surface springs on the

2823
04:09:03,439 --> 04:09:11,279
pass and its flow rate has diminished
over the last several years.

2824
04:09:08,880 --> 04:09:17,040
Uh in previous years on a good winter,
the spring would flow from near the east

2825
04:09:14,800 --> 04:09:21,680
end of our property, which is close to
the Forest Service boundary

2826
04:09:19,439 --> 04:09:27,680
under the highway. It has not flowed
under the highway in about 15 years now.

2827
04:09:25,520 --> 04:09:32,000
It soaks into the ground before it gets
there anymore. It barely makes it

2828
04:09:29,680 --> 04:09:35,279
halfway down.
The Madison River is already

2829
04:09:33,600 --> 04:09:40,000
overcrowded. Having uncontrolled
development would further exacerbate the

2830
04:09:37,359 --> 04:09:44,880
issue of maintaining the worldass
fishing that we have as a wildlife

2831
04:09:42,479 --> 04:09:49,120
corridor. The el deer and analopee have
a tough enough time in the annual

2832
04:09:46,319 --> 04:09:53,040
migration in the spring and fall. We
took out the woven wire fence on our

2833
04:09:50,960 --> 04:09:58,080
property years ago and put in fencing
that the analopee can go under in a

2834
04:09:56,000 --> 04:10:01,080
smooth top wire that the alpha deer can
jump.

2835
04:10:02,080 --> 04:10:09,199
We also drop our fences in the fall to
help with their migration. This fence

2836
04:10:07,359 --> 04:10:14,319
works very well with the cattle that we
run during the summer. We just pulled

2837
04:10:11,120 --> 04:10:18,000
them off last week.
We would prefer the inclusion of public

2838
04:10:16,160 --> 04:10:22,880
lands, but would be agreeable if they
were moved. The number one priority

2839
04:10:19,840 --> 04:10:27,040
would be adopting the CIZD to help
protect the path from unregulated

2840
04:10:24,800 --> 04:10:32,880
development. for many other valid
reasons that others will and have

2841
04:10:30,560 --> 04:10:38,720
expanded on. We appreciate your time and
dedication to all of us in Madison

2842
04:10:36,000 --> 04:10:43,840
County and hope you consider the
adoption of the CIZD.

2843
04:10:41,760 --> 04:10:49,600
One last thing I'd like to mention that
most people probably are not aware of,

2844
04:10:45,680 --> 04:10:56,160
and I can't speak professionally to it,
but there's a lot of unmarked trucks

2845
04:10:51,359 --> 04:11:01,920
rolling through 287 and 87 with multiple
more axles than your standard 80,000 GBW

2846
04:10:59,439 --> 04:11:05,680
semi. And they're by a very large
carrier. And they're all marked

2847
04:11:03,439 --> 04:11:10,880
dedicated. And if you look at the number
of axles on those trailers, something's

2848
04:11:08,640 --> 04:11:16,560
going through here that is obviously
very secret, potentially very dangerous.

2849
04:11:13,840 --> 04:11:19,800
Might have to look into it.
Thank you.

2850
04:11:20,720 --> 04:11:28,120
Is there an opportunity to share media
or is that not here? Sure.

2851
04:11:28,800 --> 04:11:35,479
If you join the meeting microphone off
you

2852
04:11:43,040 --> 04:11:47,319
what what name

2853
04:11:51,120 --> 04:11:53,359
right

2854
04:12:13,600 --> 04:12:20,640
Okay, it's going to make me reopen that
and rejoin before I can allowed to do

2855
04:12:17,279 --> 04:12:25,120
that. Um I I intend this to be my last
time um speaking and I appreciate the

2856
04:12:23,120 --> 04:12:29,840
opportunity to speak and I want to speak
now to Analope Bas is that Analope Basin

2857
04:12:27,680 --> 04:12:38,239
is the hearing we're talking about now
is um if you go look at the Castro or um

2858
04:12:33,920 --> 04:12:43,760
Analopee Basin uh you will see that
um most of the the properties that

2859
04:12:40,880 --> 04:12:50,080
boundary Idaho and Montana to my
observation are are out oftowners. um

2860
04:12:46,800 --> 04:12:53,040
New Orleans uh trustees. Now, no
objection to that. Part of our

2861
04:12:51,439 --> 04:12:57,600
community. I love that people come here
and it's their vacation home. Um my

2862
04:12:55,359 --> 04:13:02,960
concerns related again and pulling
forward my comments from other other

2863
04:12:59,359 --> 04:13:07,920
hearings um relate to what is the
representation that the statute is

2864
04:13:04,800 --> 04:13:11,680
relying on that 60%. How much of this is
for people from out of town that aren't

2865
04:13:09,359 --> 04:13:16,000
aware of the situation? Has there been
enough time for the opposition to mount

2866
04:13:13,840 --> 04:13:21,520
like some campaign to say, "Hey, dear
locals that are in that organization,

2867
04:13:19,279 --> 04:13:26,399
with respect to to to K, I'm I think
that she has done a a fair job in in in

2868
04:13:24,800 --> 04:13:31,600
bringing that in, but I am concerned
that that 60% is not representative, and

2869
04:13:28,560 --> 04:13:37,359
it would be a shame if locals had to pay
the price of somebody from far away

2870
04:13:34,319 --> 04:13:42,720
voting otherwise." Um
uh and I'm not going to be able to bring

2871
04:13:39,439 --> 04:13:48,239
this in fast enough, so I apologize.
Okay. I intended to to to show in in the

2872
04:13:46,560 --> 04:13:54,880
uh as a kind of response to I missed
what Kay was saying earlier, but there

2873
04:13:49,760 --> 04:13:58,720
is in here um in the the
PDF documents and I got way too many

2874
04:13:57,279 --> 04:14:07,479
tabs open to be able to do this, but
there is on page I think it's page 19

2875
04:14:02,560 --> 04:14:07,479
related to Analope Basin. It talks about

2876
04:14:07,840 --> 04:14:14,800
page page 34 which is also page 19
section C conditional use. That is the

2877
04:14:12,239 --> 04:14:18,159
section that I was referring to and I
wish I could find it and I'll guess I'll

2878
04:14:16,399 --> 04:14:21,760
just draw your attention to that which
talks about there would be need to be a

2879
04:14:20,080 --> 04:14:26,399
conditional use permit and so I guess my
point is is those are additional

2880
04:14:23,760 --> 04:14:31,439
incomprehensib I wouldn't have today. So
those are in there from what I

2881
04:14:27,840 --> 04:14:35,439
understand. Um the
the the

2882
04:14:33,279 --> 04:14:40,159
piece that I want to just read and
continue on from the Thomas Payne piece

2883
04:14:37,760 --> 04:14:43,279
relates to this situation here where we
can choose as a community to to pull

2884
04:14:41,840 --> 04:14:48,319
together as a community or we can choose
to give up our rights to to our local

2885
04:14:45,840 --> 04:14:52,399
government. So S society is produced by
our wants and government by our

2886
04:14:50,000 --> 04:14:56,640
wickedness. The former produ promotes
our happiness positively by uniting our

2887
04:14:54,560 --> 04:14:59,920
affections. The latter negatively by
restraining our vices. The one

2888
04:14:58,399 --> 04:15:04,159
encourages intercourse, the other
creates distinctions. The first is a

2889
04:15:01,680 --> 04:15:07,600
patron, the last is a punisher. Society
in every state is a blessing. But

2890
04:15:05,760 --> 04:15:12,319
government, even in its best state, is
but a necessary evil. In its worst case,

2891
04:15:10,319 --> 04:15:15,680
an intolerable one for which we might
when we suffer or are exposed to the

2892
04:15:14,080 --> 04:15:18,880
same miseries by a government, which we
might expect in a country without a

2893
04:15:17,199 --> 04:15:23,199
government. Our calamity is heightened
by reflecting that we furnish the means

2894
04:15:20,640 --> 04:15:27,439
by which we suffer. Government, like
dress, is the badge of lost innocence.

2895
04:15:25,520 --> 04:15:32,159
The palaces of kings are built upon the
ruins of powers of paradise. For were

2896
04:15:30,080 --> 04:15:37,840
the impulses of conscious clear, uniform
and irresistibly obeyed, man was need no

2897
04:15:34,640 --> 04:15:42,159
other lawgiver but that not being the
case, he finds it necessary to surrender

2898
04:15:40,080 --> 04:15:45,840
up a part of his property to furnish
means for the protection of the rest.

2899
04:15:44,080 --> 04:15:49,920
And this he is induced to do by the same
prudence which in every other case

2900
04:15:47,279 --> 04:15:54,080
advises him out of two evils to choose
the least.

2901
04:15:51,680 --> 04:15:59,199
Yes, we live in a society that requires
rules. Yes, things are growing. Yes, we

2902
04:15:57,279 --> 04:16:05,199
want to preserve our area. Yes, we're
coming together as a community. I think

2903
04:16:01,520 --> 04:16:10,960
we can do that as a community and not
have to give it up to the the legal

2904
04:16:08,880 --> 04:16:18,239
um incumbrances that will last for
generations. And and the the last point

2905
04:16:13,840 --> 04:16:22,479
I want to make is related to
the your commissioners have been

2906
04:16:19,600 --> 04:16:27,439
petitioned to avoid inaction because
something must be done. But you also

2907
04:16:24,800 --> 04:16:32,399
have to be concerned about the ills that
will happen because of action that will

2908
04:16:29,920 --> 04:16:40,640
require further action. And as evidence
of that, I bring what was an unsolicited

2909
04:16:36,720 --> 04:16:45,279
um offer full price times six for my
property, which is no longer concluded

2910
04:16:42,880 --> 04:16:48,319
in the zones apparently. And I don't
know what that means. If somebody was

2911
04:16:46,640 --> 04:16:50,720
trying to buy a boat, I don't know if it
means that they saw that I was

2912
04:16:49,600 --> 04:16:53,840
gerrymandered out and they're like,
"That's an attractive property." I don't

2913
04:16:52,560 --> 04:16:59,840
know if they thought I was in and then
the values went up. But in any case,

2914
04:16:56,640 --> 04:17:04,640
dated um guess I don't know what this is
dated. This is this is just within the

2915
04:17:01,840 --> 04:17:10,560
last week. Somebody who has been sending
me letters since I bought the property

2916
04:17:07,040 --> 04:17:13,199
has thought to offer me, you know, some
meager tens of thousands for my

2917
04:17:12,159 --> 04:17:17,680
property. And I'm like, "No, it's
beautiful. I'm keeping it." and now

2918
04:17:15,199 --> 04:17:24,080
they've given me
a a substantially increased offer for my

2919
04:17:21,600 --> 04:17:28,319
property. I submit that that's going to
happen to the spaces in between the

2920
04:17:26,319 --> 04:17:30,960
moment that this is passed and that the
reason why this was sent to me is

2921
04:17:29,760 --> 04:17:35,120
because they're aware of the meeting
that's happening today and it will be

2922
04:17:32,960 --> 04:17:39,439
the catalyst that will cause the things
that everybody is concerned about. And

2923
04:17:36,960 --> 04:17:43,760
whether or not it's true, it deserves
consideration of whether that might be a

2924
04:17:42,479 --> 04:17:51,640
possibility. And I don't think there's
time between now and September 15th to

2925
04:17:45,840 --> 04:17:51,640
consider that. And with that, that's it.

2926
04:18:06,000 --> 04:18:13,880
» Speakio again. Same drill. If and I do
have one or two additional comments that

2927
04:18:10,720 --> 04:18:13,880
are in

2928
04:18:16,000 --> 04:18:22,239
I just feel compelled to uh address a
couple of things that have come up today

2929
04:18:20,159 --> 04:18:26,960
that I feel an obligation to respond
towards clear. Um [clears throat]

2930
04:18:25,680 --> 04:18:31,600
I'm not aware of anything in the
regulations that would prevent someone

2931
04:18:28,880 --> 04:18:36,960
from building a home on their lot in any
way, shape or form. And I I think Kay

2932
04:18:34,800 --> 04:18:41,920
addressed that earlier that we've been
very careful about that and that this is

2933
04:18:39,359 --> 04:18:47,439
a large commercial development focused
issue. My wife and I came here 12 years

2934
04:18:45,680 --> 04:18:52,080
ago
and we bought our property into the

2935
04:18:49,680 --> 04:18:57,120
Sheet Mountains.
We are blessed that we have eight 20

2936
04:18:54,319 --> 04:19:01,199
acre parcels. When we first came here 12
years ago, we have an improvement on

2937
04:18:59,680 --> 04:19:04,560
one.
We said, "Gee, what could we do with

2938
04:19:02,319 --> 04:19:08,880
these other seven parcels?"
And every week that we were here and

2939
04:19:07,279 --> 04:19:15,040
every additional week after that that we
went, we learned more and more about

2940
04:19:11,600 --> 04:19:19,359
what Montana is all about. Yes, we're
not from Montana. I was born and raised

2941
04:19:17,680 --> 04:19:25,120
in Brooklyn, New York. I'm a city street
kid. I've been here for 12 years now. I

2942
04:19:23,680 --> 04:19:30,239
have learned more about this most
magnificent land and what it has and

2943
04:19:28,159 --> 04:19:34,479
what it means.
And I am so motivated to do everything

2944
04:19:32,080 --> 04:19:39,439
that we can within reason to make sure
that we can keep this wonderful,

2945
04:19:36,159 --> 04:19:44,720
beautiful environment the way it is. And
large commercial development is in

2946
04:19:41,840 --> 04:19:47,920
conflict with that goal. And with our
seven parcels that don't have an

2947
04:19:46,159 --> 04:19:51,120
improvement,
every year that's gone by, we've become

2948
04:19:49,600 --> 04:19:54,239
more and more committed to the fact that
there is nothing that we should do with

2949
04:19:52,640 --> 04:19:58,880
those parcels for commercial
development. not not that we can't or

2950
04:19:56,960 --> 04:20:03,279
even residential development to make
money off of that

2951
04:20:01,199 --> 04:20:08,960
because we realize the need for space in
our area and the need for migratory

2952
04:20:06,159 --> 04:20:13,120
opportunities for the wildlife.
And I don't know if a city street kid

2953
04:20:10,640 --> 04:20:18,960
can kind of understand that and really
get that. I just hope all of us can

2954
04:20:15,760 --> 04:20:23,680
understand that as well and find a way
to make sure that these CIZDS get

2955
04:20:21,279 --> 04:20:27,840
approved because they're restriction on
large commercial development is the

2956
04:20:25,520 --> 04:20:32,760
primary focus of them and that is what
we desperately need in our valley. Thank

2957
04:20:29,760 --> 04:20:32,760
you

2958
04:20:33,600 --> 04:20:45,680
again Julie Delashia 101 she would like
to submit uh comment from uh this person

2959
04:20:40,960 --> 04:20:45,680
uh for to represent anal bas

2960
04:20:47,040 --> 04:20:50,279
Thank you.

2961
04:20:59,199 --> 04:21:06,640
» Afternoon. My name is John Tillworth.
I'm a res I'm property owner at 175

2962
04:21:03,760 --> 04:21:11,040
Jensen Road. I'm from Atlanta, Georgia.
I flew in this week so that I could

2963
04:21:08,319 --> 04:21:14,880
participate with this opportunity and
also be a part of the the great part of

2964
04:21:13,199 --> 04:21:20,399
Montana that I hope to be a resident
here very soon. I want to tell you that

2965
04:21:17,760 --> 04:21:26,800
uh being in Atlanta several thousand
miles away both from FA and from Maddie,

2966
04:21:24,319 --> 04:21:31,920
I have received numerous numerous over
the last two years communications,

2967
04:21:29,359 --> 04:21:36,319
postcards, emails, those types of
things. I have been informed. I am

2968
04:21:34,720 --> 04:21:43,600
confident other people have been
informed. Um, I support this. I do hope

2969
04:21:39,920 --> 04:21:47,520
that you make this uh a reality for us.
It is a gorgeous piece of property that

2970
04:21:45,600 --> 04:21:51,080
we need to maintain. I thank you for the
opportunity to speak.

2971
04:21:55,520 --> 04:21:58,520
Again,

2972
04:22:03,120 --> 04:22:10,000
I'm Bob Garrett, ameritus
[clears throat] professor from Montana

2973
04:22:06,800 --> 04:22:14,880
State University, and I just would like
to add the comments from the Fish and

2974
04:22:12,640 --> 04:22:21,359
Wildlife Services, the two letters I
referred to in the previous meetings

2975
04:22:18,560 --> 04:22:25,920
to be applied uh to this consideration
as well, and also my own personal

2976
04:22:24,800 --> 04:22:33,279
statement.
And again, I'm Robert Garrett. Address

2977
04:22:28,640 --> 04:22:36,439
is 75 highway 287 South.
Thank you.

2978
04:22:42,239 --> 04:22:51,439
» Hi, I'm Pam Whitmore. Um I'm at 20 Tory
Road in Cameron. We've been there for 43

2979
04:22:48,960 --> 04:22:56,000
years. I just want to say that I support
these um citizen initiated zoning

2980
04:22:53,840 --> 04:23:00,120
districts and I would request that you
do as well. Thank you.

2981
04:23:08,159 --> 04:23:15,680
» My name is David Bricker. Uh I live at
867 Mway in Andis. My wife and I own

2982
04:23:13,760 --> 04:23:21,680
another piece of property in the
southern end of the valley. And I uh

2983
04:23:17,920 --> 04:23:25,520
want to um tell you that we support
citizen initiated zoning districts in

2984
04:23:23,840 --> 04:23:29,319
this part of the valley to help protect
the valley. Thank you.

2985
04:23:38,800 --> 04:23:46,159
Chairman I, Commissioners Todd and
Commissioner Gilman. Again, Justin

2986
04:23:43,600 --> 04:23:49,439
Brownark 777 East Main Street hearing on
behalf of the petitioning property

2987
04:23:47,520 --> 04:23:54,000
owners, including those who are members
of Preserve Mills Pass. Again, my

2988
04:23:52,080 --> 04:23:59,279
comments today incorporate by reference
the September 1st, 2026 letter in

2989
04:23:56,319 --> 04:24:02,239
support of the CIZD, including the
exhibit attached um which

2990
04:24:01,357 --> 04:24:06,960
[clears throat] addresses the questions
and comments regarding zoning.

2991
04:24:05,120 --> 04:24:14,000
The state v the legislature conveyed the
power to petition presenting to the

2992
04:24:08,720 --> 04:24:18,399
citizens again and for the C CIZD 62%
of signatures on the petition have been

2993
04:24:15,760 --> 04:24:22,159
certified by the county
with respect to the description of the

2994
04:24:20,080 --> 04:24:27,199
proposed analopee basin district in the
staff report. The percentages included

2995
04:24:25,120 --> 04:24:32,880
there further support the adoption of
the zoning district. If you take out the

2996
04:24:29,520 --> 04:24:36,560
public land 86% have petitioned for the
zoning district.

2997
04:24:34,720 --> 04:24:40,720
This makes clear the CICD is in the
public interest. And again, for the

2998
04:24:38,880 --> 04:24:44,080
record, as I mentioned earlier, the
plain language of the statute requires

2999
04:24:42,239 --> 04:24:50,520
only the public interest or convenience
be demonstrated to adopt the CICD, not

3000
04:24:47,520 --> 04:24:50,520
both.

3001
04:24:50,560 --> 04:24:55,120
The zoning regulation and the majority
of the public comment does demonstrate

3002
04:24:53,760 --> 04:24:58,399
the public interest requires the
adoption of this proposed zoning

3003
04:24:56,560 --> 04:25:02,960
district to protect the rural
residential and agricultural character

3004
04:25:00,399 --> 04:25:07,040
of the area and the existing development
pattern and to account for the limited

3005
04:25:05,279 --> 04:25:12,080
public services that you've heard about
and the scarce water resources.

3006
04:25:10,319 --> 04:25:14,960
As I also explained previously, to the
extent that the staff report includes

3007
04:25:13,600 --> 04:25:19,520
questions, definitions, and
considerations beyond the scope of the

3008
04:25:16,720 --> 04:25:24,080
statutes,
those don't apply. And what must be

3009
04:25:21,920 --> 04:25:29,040
considered is the public comment in
support of the CICD. The Montana

3010
04:25:26,640 --> 04:25:32,880
Constitution provides that the Montana
the public has the right to expect

3011
04:25:30,880 --> 04:25:37,199
governmental ages agencies such as the
county to afford reasonable opportunity

3012
04:25:35,279 --> 04:25:41,359
to participate, which you have done in
abundance as I explained earlier. and

3013
04:25:39,920 --> 04:25:46,560
state for the record again, the public
participation statutes contemplate more

3014
04:25:43,359 --> 04:25:51,040
than just allowing public comment. You
must address the public comments in your

3015
04:25:48,239 --> 04:25:55,920
decision making on the 15th and the
pertinent facts upon which your decision

3016
04:25:52,800 --> 04:26:00,640
is based in order to facilitate judicial
review. As also addressed earlier, the

3017
04:25:58,720 --> 04:26:05,040
zoning regulations are consistent
consistent with the adopted growth

3018
04:26:02,239 --> 04:26:08,800
policy which again for this area of the
county requires support of zoning

3019
04:26:07,279 --> 04:26:12,720
efforts.
you have an obligation and are required

3020
04:26:10,880 --> 04:26:17,279
by law to act in substantial compliance
with that growth policy.

3021
04:26:15,680 --> 04:26:22,479
In terms of the question regarding
contiguity, again, the law is clear that

3022
04:26:20,560 --> 04:26:27,199
does not interrupt the boundaries of the
zoning district.

3023
04:26:24,960 --> 04:26:33,120
And
I'll close my comments by re reiterating

3024
04:26:29,600 --> 04:26:37,520
again the state view the legislature has
conveyed the power to petition for

3025
04:26:34,880 --> 04:26:42,239
zoning to the people and the authority
to adopt zoning to the county based on

3026
04:26:39,840 --> 04:26:46,640
statute and in accordance with Montana
case law.

3027
04:26:44,319 --> 04:26:50,239
This these zoning statutes that further
public health and safety must be

3028
04:26:48,239 --> 04:26:54,640
liberally construed
to effectuate their highly beneficial

3029
04:26:52,239 --> 04:26:58,720
objective which is adopting zoning. And
again, while you have some discretion,

3030
04:26:56,080 --> 04:27:02,880
that discretion must be exercised within
the boundaries of statute. And you need

3031
04:27:00,880 --> 04:27:06,960
not go down the rabbit hole of questions
not included in statute nor

3032
04:27:05,279 --> 04:27:10,479
unsubstantiated claims about
administration and enforcement.

3033
04:27:09,680 --> 04:27:14,399
Again, the [clears throat] county has
the authority to levy for that. So this

3034
04:27:12,479 --> 04:27:19,279
is no justification
stated again. You have the authority to

3035
04:27:15,920 --> 04:27:23,439
adopt the CIC and arguably based on the
comments you've heard in the record and

3036
04:27:21,840 --> 04:27:30,239
the public comment submitted in advance
of that you have an obligation to do so

3037
04:27:26,880 --> 04:27:34,159
and a decision not to do that argue
arguably would be so lacking in fact and

3038
04:27:32,159 --> 04:27:38,159
foundation as to be an abuse of
discretion. The petitioners and land

3039
04:27:36,479 --> 04:27:42,479
owners in Analopee Basin have met their
burden for the statute

3040
04:27:40,640 --> 04:27:46,640
and the petitioning owners respectfully
request that you adopt this Analopee

3041
04:27:44,720 --> 04:27:51,319
Basin citizen initiated zoning district
and regulation. Thank you.

3042
04:27:54,800 --> 04:28:04,720
» Hi againro
from Sageway here Cameron. Um

3043
04:28:02,000 --> 04:28:11,520
I just really quickly want to go back to
the statute. Um it is true that they

3044
04:28:09,040 --> 04:28:15,760
have met the threshold uh for the
petition and that is something that is

3045
04:28:13,680 --> 04:28:20,560
afforded to these communities to our
communities as citizens here right we

3046
04:28:18,479 --> 04:28:25,199
have the power to petition you as the
commissioners but to say that you don't

3047
04:28:22,399 --> 04:28:28,640
have discretionary authority is wrong.
Um, according to the statute

3048
04:28:26,960 --> 04:28:33,040
specifically, I'm just going to read it.
Subject to the provisions of subsection

3049
04:28:30,640 --> 04:28:37,840
5, whenever the public interest or
convenience may require and on petition

3050
04:28:35,439 --> 04:28:42,560
of 60% of the affected real property
owners in the proposed district, the

3051
04:28:39,760 --> 04:28:47,120
board of county commissioners may create
a planning and zoning district and may

3052
04:28:45,120 --> 04:28:51,040
appoint a planning and zoning commission
consisting of up to seven members. So

3053
04:28:49,120 --> 04:28:54,479
that inclusion of may gives you the
discretionary authority. It is not an

3054
04:28:52,640 --> 04:28:59,359
abuse of discretion for you to ask the
question why these restrictions, why

3055
04:28:57,040 --> 04:29:04,880
these boundaries, why these specific
zoning districts. We are not saying that

3056
04:29:02,399 --> 04:29:09,760
zoning as a whole is bad. We are not
saying that we are opposed to reasonable

3057
04:29:06,640 --> 04:29:14,319
rules. We are not saying that we want
commercial development. None of us do.

3058
04:29:11,520 --> 04:29:19,040
Literally, we are all united in purpose
in that regard. We do not have to be at

3059
04:29:16,319 --> 04:29:23,199
cross purposes. Our questions and our
reservations stem from kind of the fine

3060
04:29:21,120 --> 04:29:26,720
print of this regulation. You know,
there is a lot that is included within

3061
04:29:24,880 --> 04:29:29,600
these regulations that doesn't address
commercial property. There are things

3062
04:29:28,239 --> 04:29:33,920
about, you know, conditions on
non-conforming uses, conditions on

3063
04:29:31,439 --> 04:29:37,840
non-conforming properties. If you aren't
in a property for a year, you lose your

3064
04:29:35,840 --> 04:29:42,560
grandfathered status. And I don't see
personally what that has to do with

3065
04:29:40,880 --> 04:29:47,279
commercial development or highdensity
residential development. So I just want

3066
04:29:44,960 --> 04:29:51,120
to encourage you as the commission to
understand that you have the

3067
04:29:49,279 --> 04:29:57,600
discretionary power. You have the
ability to ask for amendments and to ask

3068
04:29:53,520 --> 04:30:02,080
for analysis and to ask for a very
thorough picture before you adopt an

3069
04:30:00,000 --> 04:30:05,319
imperfect regulation.
>> Thank you.

3070
04:30:12,000 --> 04:30:20,880
Smith 141 Oak Meadows Ranch Road. I will
resubmit my comments from previously,

3071
04:30:18,640 --> 04:30:29,520
but I wanted to just take a moment also
to continue on a little bit with um

3072
04:30:26,479 --> 04:30:34,000
so $3 Ranch was purchased over the
course of about five years and there's

3073
04:30:32,080 --> 04:30:39,920
three contiguous properties that were
all combined. Um the purpose of that was

3074
04:30:36,960 --> 04:30:47,840
for grazing to support agriculture and
also to support migratory corridors and

3075
04:30:42,960 --> 04:30:52,880
wildlife. Uh on August 13th at 2:39 or
PM, not that it made an impression on

3076
04:30:50,239 --> 04:30:58,159
me, I got a phone call from our weed
spreader saying, "There's a lightning

3077
04:30:56,239 --> 04:31:06,479
strike and now I see smoke. What do I
do? Don't call me. Call 911."

3078
04:31:02,880 --> 04:31:14,159
So that began the Horn Creek fire and it
burned 3,000 acres on the ranch. And it

3079
04:31:10,479 --> 04:31:21,279
was the most terrifying thing I've ever
been through. And it was a day much like

3080
04:31:17,040 --> 04:31:27,920
today, a red flag day. 40 plus mph
winds, 90 degree weather.

3081
04:31:24,560 --> 04:31:33,840
we have a fire unit on the ranch and we
quickly responded but we were just a

3082
04:31:30,560 --> 04:31:38,640
small drop in the bucket so to speak and
it you know no through no fault of

3083
04:31:36,239 --> 04:31:43,520
anyone else's it was at least an hour
before the county was able to respond

3084
04:31:41,040 --> 04:31:49,920
and then DNRC came in and the forest
service and it was a full-blown fire

3085
04:31:47,600 --> 04:31:54,960
started on the south ridge of the horn
burned over into a basin and basically

3086
04:31:52,479 --> 04:32:00,239
almost burned over fire crews and they
had to pull back.

3087
04:31:57,760 --> 04:32:04,960
Myself and another neighbor, because I'm
not one to stand around twiddling my

3088
04:32:03,120 --> 04:32:09,840
thumbs, we asked the sheriff's
department if it would be okay if we

3089
04:32:07,279 --> 04:32:14,560
went preemptively doortodoor in the
residential area across the highway and

3090
04:32:12,640 --> 04:32:19,680
alerted people. Obviously, they could
see the fire, but gather your things,

3091
04:32:16,960 --> 04:32:25,120
gather your pets, be prepared to leave.
Um,

3092
04:32:21,920 --> 04:32:29,199
the fire almost jumped the highway and
really the only thing I think that

3093
04:32:26,560 --> 04:32:34,880
caused it to not jump the highway was A,
it burned into a pasture that was grazed

3094
04:32:31,920 --> 04:32:40,000
and b we had a ditch that was full of
water. As water becomes more and more

3095
04:32:38,319 --> 04:32:45,760
scarce,
if we're unable to fill our ditches and

3096
04:32:43,279 --> 04:32:50,880
also unable to fill our ponds, which the
helicopters are dipping out of heavily,

3097
04:32:48,880 --> 04:32:56,000
I don't know that they would have been
able to stop that fire.

3098
04:32:53,600 --> 04:33:01,680
If uh if we hadn't been able to graze
that because we have no water on the

3099
04:32:58,560 --> 04:33:07,039
ranch, that grazed pasture would not
have stopped the fire and it could have

3100
04:33:03,680 --> 04:33:11,600
been a much bigger outcome. And it
terrifies me to think what could have

3101
04:33:08,561 --> 04:33:16,799
happened. So
again, we are protected by easement, but

3102
04:33:14,400 --> 04:33:22,240
what happens across the highway and on
surrounding properties is vitally

3103
04:33:19,119 --> 04:33:24,799
important for us. So thank you very
much.

3104
04:33:31,520 --> 04:33:34,520
online

3105
04:33:48,719 --> 04:33:53,760
in this interreum. I don't think I did a
motion to incorporate written comment

3106
04:33:52,561 --> 04:33:57,840
for this hearing.
>> Yeah,

3107
04:33:54,400 --> 04:34:06,199
» let's do that.
So, I may I make that motion now.

3108
04:34:00,561 --> 04:34:06,199
» Second, you have one first to hand up.

3109
04:34:06,799 --> 04:34:15,279
» Go ahead, Carly.
>> Hello. Um, good afternoon. My name is

3110
04:34:12,320 --> 04:34:20,480
Karly Mosfin and my family has owned
about 23 acres um in this area since

3111
04:34:18,879 --> 04:34:24,959
1989.
I wanted to start out by saying that I

3112
04:34:22,879 --> 04:34:29,600
understand and support the intent behind
protecting the rural character of this

3113
04:34:26,959 --> 04:34:34,719
area. I don't want to see large
commercial developments, resorts or

3114
04:34:31,199 --> 04:34:39,119
dense development change um what makes
this place special either. But I am

3115
04:34:37,199 --> 04:34:42,639
concerned that in trying to prevent that
kind of development, these regulations

3116
04:34:40,879 --> 04:34:47,119
may unintentionally
restrict longtime property owners like

3117
04:34:44,561 --> 04:34:51,039
my family. Since we've held this land
for nearly four decades, we haven't

3118
04:34:49,359 --> 04:34:54,240
purchased it recently with plans to
develop it commercially, but we've been

3119
04:34:52,719 --> 04:34:58,000
saving money in the hope to someday
build a few modest family cabins where

3120
04:34:56,480 --> 04:35:01,920
our children and future generations
could come together and enjoy this

3121
04:34:59,520 --> 04:35:05,439
property. I'm particularly concerned
because my family situation may

3122
04:35:03,680 --> 04:35:09,520
eventually require me to divide the
existing property with an aranged family

3123
04:35:07,359 --> 04:35:13,520
member. I don't necessarily have control
over whether that becomes necessary.

3124
04:35:11,840 --> 04:35:17,039
Under the proposed regulation, I'm
concerned that dividing an existing

3125
04:35:15,279 --> 04:35:21,119
parcel of less than 40 acres could
jeopardize my ability to build even a

3126
04:35:19,279 --> 04:35:25,520
primary family cabin on the portion of
the property that remains mine.

3127
04:35:23,760 --> 04:35:30,000
I'm also concerned about the limitation
on accessory dwelling units and

3128
04:35:27,199 --> 04:35:34,561
accessory buildings on 23 rural acres
having a few small family cabins, a

3129
04:35:32,240 --> 04:35:37,359
garage or structure for snowmobiles and
equipment is very different from

3130
04:35:35,840 --> 04:35:40,959
creating subdivision or commercial
development.

3131
04:35:38,879 --> 04:35:46,160
I appreciate that the proposal allows
short-term rental of primary drawing

3132
04:35:43,520 --> 04:35:50,160
unit or ADU. I would like to retain the
ability to occasionally rent our cabin

3133
04:35:48,160 --> 04:35:54,959
when our family isn't using it to help
offset the significant cost of

3134
04:35:51,840 --> 04:35:58,959
maintaining and improving our property.
What I'm asking is that you protect the

3135
04:35:56,639 --> 04:36:04,240
purpose of this zoning without taking
reasonable development rights away from

3136
04:36:01,359 --> 04:36:07,840
existing property owners. Existing legal
parcels, particularly parcels that have

3137
04:36:06,240 --> 04:36:12,799
been held by families for decades,
should remain buildable even if they are

3138
04:36:09,920 --> 04:36:16,639
less than 40 acres. And if an existing
parcel has to be divided because of

3139
04:36:14,561 --> 04:36:20,160
family ownership circumstances, the
resulting legal parcels should not

3140
04:36:18,240 --> 04:36:23,840
suddenly lose their ability to have a
primary residence.

3141
04:36:22,080 --> 04:36:27,199
I would also ask that you consider
allowing a reasonable number of small

3142
04:36:25,680 --> 04:36:32,320
family dwellings and accessory
structures based on acreage rather than

3143
04:36:29,680 --> 04:36:36,639
treating a third small cabin on 23 acres
as though it presents some concern of

3144
04:36:34,080 --> 04:36:40,561
high density development.
My family has been responsible stewards

3145
04:36:38,400 --> 04:36:44,400
of this property since 1989. And we want
the same thing that you do to preserve

3146
04:36:42,639 --> 04:36:47,920
this beautiful rural area. We just want
to make sure that preserving it doesn't

3147
04:36:46,400 --> 04:36:52,160
mean that families who have held land
here for generations lose the reasonable

3148
04:36:49,680 --> 04:36:56,119
ability to use and enjoy it. Thank you
for considering my comments.

3149
04:36:58,719 --> 04:37:07,039
» Can you call a vote on incorporating the
written comments, please?

3150
04:37:04,799 --> 04:37:10,080
» Okay. a motion.
>> I move to incorporate all written

3151
04:37:08,639 --> 04:37:12,000
comments into the record for this
hearing.

3152
04:37:10,879 --> 04:37:16,920
» Okay.
>> Second.

3153
04:37:12,639 --> 04:37:16,920
» Okay. So, we have a motion second

3154
04:37:17,520 --> 04:37:22,719
to this hearing. Any further discussion?
Hearing none. I'll call for vote.

3155
04:37:21,680 --> 04:37:25,719
Commissioner Todd
>> I

3156
04:37:26,561 --> 04:37:37,760
vot. Motion carries.
Any more public comment?

3157
04:37:34,160 --> 04:37:41,439
Anybody online? Ryan?
>> Yes, this is Dan Wank. I would only like

3158
04:37:39,680 --> 04:37:47,039
to say that I'd like my comments from
the earlier to be extended to the first

3159
04:37:43,840 --> 04:37:56,000
and third discussions as well. Um and
note that u my concern is is about the

3160
04:37:51,520 --> 04:38:02,240
um everything that that I think we who
appreciate and love this area is uh we

3161
04:38:00,240 --> 04:38:07,359
don't want to do we need to take the
measures or steps we need to take to

3162
04:38:04,320 --> 04:38:11,840
make sure we're protecting um not only
property rights but we're also

3163
04:38:09,039 --> 04:38:18,279
protecting the resources for which
probably attracted almost all of us to

3164
04:38:14,080 --> 04:38:18,279
this area. Any

3165
04:38:22,959 --> 04:38:26,279
more public

3166
04:38:42,342 --> 04:38:46,320
[clears throat]
hearing public comments?

3167
04:38:49,359 --> 04:38:57,359
I move to adjourn the hearing.
>> Second that.

3168
04:38:52,799 --> 04:39:01,439
» So we have a motion second to hear
discussion.

3169
04:38:59,279 --> 04:39:04,439
I'll call for the vote.
>> I

3170
04:39:06,160 --> 04:39:14,480
move to set a decision date for
September 15th.

3171
04:39:10,879 --> 04:39:19,520
» Second that. Motion second.
Final decision

3172
04:39:16,561 --> 04:39:25,000
September 15th.
Further discussion

3173
04:39:22,000 --> 04:39:25,000
calls.

3174
04:39:31,119 --> 04:39:35,400
» Thank you. Thank you.