Commissioners to present draft zoning map
Clearwater County Commissioners will present a draft zoning map to Planning and Zoning that reflects an effort to encourage growth close to established infrastructure in order to contain costs of services.
Currently, Clearwater County is zoned for five acre lots, and has been since 2004. Prior to 2004, most lots were zoned for one acre residences. The new map reflects the current ordinance on 20 acres lot size for the more rural and remote parts of the county.
Also included are areas where residential development may be threatened by hazardous conditions and most of the county’s better farm and timber ground. The commissioners believe this is a good policy to preserve what is left of good farm and timber ground.
Changes would keep development close to currently maintained county and state road systems, and encourage growth close to Orofino, Weippe, Pierce and Elk River. This will make it easier for the county to provide important services, such as emergency medical services, law enforcement, road maintenance and solid waste disposal.
Right now the county’s resources are stretched thin, making it difficult to take over the maintenance of new roads built by developers. The county barely has money or resources to maintain the current Clearwater County road systems.
The commissioners also believe that most people would like to see growth happen in a more organized fashion.
There will be public hearings in the near future on the 20 acre Agriculture and Timber Production District (F-3). Notices will be published with the hearing date and time. The Board of County Commissioners is very interested in hearing public opinion on this matter.