Two people with concerns about proposed countywide planning and zoning in Todd County spoke during Friday morning’s Todd Fiscal Court meeting as the county continues to explore the process.
On April 14, Todd County Fiscal Court moved unanimously to begin implementation of countywide planning and zoning and County Attorney Jeff Traughber says since then, he’s received a proposal from an entity that could draft a comprehensive plan for fiscal court—and ultimately a potential planning commission—to look over.
He’s made informal contact with leaders from Elkton, Trenton and Guthrie and believes them to be receptive to the formation of a city-county planning and zoning commission, if the county chooses to move forward.
Todd County residents Mike Sears and Grant Howell voiced their concerns during public comments, with Sears saying he believes that even if fiscal court has good intentions, it could be a slippery slope that eventually leads to loss of freedoms for landowners.
Judge-Executive Todd Mansfield says the proposed planning and zoning is in no way meant to restrict farmers, but is instead a way to restrict what type of new growth may be on the drawing table for Todd County, as his office receives calls from out of state folks asking what types of restrictions they have in place.
As the county stands now, it cannot restrict or prevent any type of development from moving in, no matter how unpopular it may be with neighboring residents and property owners.
Emergency Management Director Daniel Smith added that any rapid housing development in rural areas could potentially stretch infrastructure and emergency services beyond their current capabilities.
Magistrates will consider a contract for the drawing up of a comprehensive planning and zoning plan at its May 12 meeting.
Todd County Clerk Cindy O’Bryan reminded that Tuesday night at 11:59 is the deadline to apply for a mail-in absentee ballot on the secretary of state’s website if you won’t be able to vote in-person early or at your polling place on election day.
Watch entire meeting below:
https://www.facebook.com/100066807166735/videos/249878147571297