Contacts:

Kate Berg, Senior Planner

970-668-4204, Kate.Berg@SummitCountyCO.gov

Dan Osborn, Senior Planner

970-668-4068, Dan.Osborn@SummitCountyCO.gov

SUMMIT COUNTY – Summit County government is kicking off a process to update the Countywide Comprehensive Plan, which guides land-use decisions in the unincorporated areas of Summit County. Throughout the eight-month process, the Planning Department will seek extensive public feedback on key issues and community priorities, starting with an open house on Wednesday, May 10, at the Summit County Community and Senior Center.

“This master plan document lays out our community’s vision and goals,” County Commissioner Thomas Davidson said. “And it’s the yard stick we use to evaluate a great many policy proposals, so the input we gather during this process is of real consequence.”

Master plans are updated periodically to address changing conditions, new socioeconomic trends and evolving community priorities. The existing Countywide Comprehensive Plan was adopted in October 2009; the updated plan will guide development and policy decisions for the next 10-15 years.

“We’re seeking to engage with the public to find out which policies are still relevant and what new goals and policies we need to focus on to keep our community headed in the right direction,” Senior Planner Kate Berg said.

County Planning staff have held preliminary meetings with each of Summit County’s five planning commissions to identify key topics for discussion and feedback. Commissioners highlighted a number of priority issues, including community carrying capacity, workforce housing, impacts of short-term rentals, climate change and transportation. Throughout the plan update process, the County will solicit community input on these and other topics, to be incorporated into the revised plan.

The first open house will take place from 4:30-6:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 10, at the Summit County Community and Senior Center, 83 Nancy’s Pl., Frisco. Attendees will have the opportunity to talk with staff and planning commissioners, learn more about the existing Countywide Comprehensive Plan and provide ideas and input for the new plan. Light refreshments will be provided.

For more information on the Countywide Comprehensive Plan update process, visit www.SummitCountyCO.gov/CompPlanUpdate.

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