809 E. 4th Avenue N., Suite C P.O. Box 881 Columbus, MT 59019 (406) 322-8050 Fax: (406) 322-1118 Forrest J. Mandeville Planner 1 fmandeville@stillwater.mt.gov
Marissa Plumb Administrative Assistant mplumb@stillwater.mt.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Forrest J. Mandeville Planner 1 Stillwater County Planning Office PO Box 881 809 E 4th Ave N, Suite C Columbus, MT 59019 Phone (406) 322-8050 Fax (406) 322-1118 fmandeville@stillwater.mt.gov Columbus Area Growth Policy Update Columbus, Montana – April 27, 2012 – The Stillwater County-Town of Columbus City-County Planning Board, with the consent of the appropriate governing bodies, is undertaking the task of updating the Columbus Area Growth Policy. The current Growth Policy was adopted in 2005. The County Planning office has been in the process of gathering public input in Columbus for the Growth Policy. The first such meeting was held Monday, January 30, and was beneficial to the process. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 15, at 6:00 at the Columbus City Hall courtroom. Members of the public are encouraged to attend. Topics of discussion will include land use, population trends, housing needs, construction activity, economic conditions, future growth areas, and future infrastructure projects, among other topics. Drafts of sections of the new growth policy will be available for review and discussion as well. Growth Policies are governed by Montana Code Annotated (MCA), Title 76, Chapter 1, Part 6. It is a non-regulatory document and does not confer any authority to regulate that is not otherwise specifically authorized by law or regulations adopted pursuant to the law, MCA 76-1605(2)(a). The Growth Policy provides guidance to government entities and community groups, and can be a valuable document to show community support for grant opportunities. The City-County Planning Board is jointly appointed by the Town and County. Members are Joe Cross (Vice-President and acting President), Rod Fink, Ric Hanson, Dennis Holten, Jeanne
Kienitz, Webb Mandeville, Don Parks, and Ed Viig. Any questions about the actions or activities of the Board can be directed to a Board member or the County Planning Office (3228050). Members of the public are always welcome to attend Board meetings, which are held the fourth Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at the County Planning Office, located at 4th Avenue North, Suite C, in Columbus. Minutes from all Board meetings are also available online at www.stillwater.mt.gov/planning. END