Final Report and Recommendations
The Final Report and Recommendations of the Rural Framework Committee was presented to the Board of County Commissioners on December 15, 2009.
Final Report and Recommendations / RFC Final Report and Recommendations Supplemental and Background Materials »
Rural Framework Citizen Committee Appointed
Recognizing the importance of the rural lifestyle to Douglas County, the County Commissioners have embarked on a rural lifestyle planning initiative that will be led by a citizen-based ad hoc committee.
An open house to launch the initiative was held at the Douglas County Event Center on May 14th. Approximately 80 residents attended this open house, received information on the rural planning effort, and participated in a rural values exercise. The County Commissioners reviewed the applications received for the Rural Framework Committee and have subsequently appointed 27 members who will examine various rural land use issues and make recommendations to the Commissioners by October 15th, 2009.
Issues to be addressed by the Framework Committee include land use, water supply and approaches for implementing the defined rural values and priorities, including possible changes to the Comprehensive Master Plan policies and/or zoning and subdivision resolutions pertaining to rural land use. Meeting times, agendas, and other information pertaining to the Rural Framework Committee meetings will be posted below.
The Board of County Commissioners acted to repeal the existing Rural Site Plan regulations on April 14th for the purpose of re-evaluating the public input process, eligibility requirements, and approval standards; and the Commissioner's desire to receive input from its rural landowners and other stakeholder groups to evaluate rural land use issues and recommend a framework of rural policy and regulatory amendments to the Board of County Commissioners.
This committee is scheduled to have finalized recommendations and a draft set of amended rural regulations presented to the Board of County Commissioners by October 15, 2009.
The Rural Framework Committee has been tasked with providing advisory recommendations regarding refinement of the County’s rural land use values, policies and regulations by accomplishing the following tasks:
- Define key components of rural character and lifestyle of greatest value to the community,
- Evaluate the existing framework of rural land use policies and regulations,
- Evaluate the existing rural land use patterns and development trends,
- Evaluate specific components of rural land use including: lot size, density, design standards, agricultural opportunities, land management, water and other services, and open space and the environment,
- Evaluate alternative zoning and subdivision approaches for implementing the defined rural values and priorities, including possible changes to the Comprehensive Master Plan
The Committee shall also shall make advisory recommendations to the Board on a framework of changes to the Douglas County Comprehensive Master Plan policies and/or Zoning and Subdivision Resolutions pertaining to rural land use.
The Board of County Commissioners shall appoint members to serve on the Rural Framework Committee as representative of the following stakeholder groups:
- Rural land owners from a variety of rural subareas and lifestyles
- Rural property or homeowner’s associations
- Open space or environmental preservation groups
- The Douglas County Fair Board
- Rural non-profit groups (educational/community oriented)
- Rural Water Authority of Douglas County
- Rural developers
- Rural service providers or referral agencies
- Local rural land use professionals