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Residents can now weigh in on changes to how Teton County restricts land development to protect the environment.
Teton County recently released a draft plan to update its environmental regulations for land developments, otherwise known as the Natural Resources Overlay or NRO.
Teton County’s overlay guidelines date back several decades. They were first implemented with the aim of reducing environmental impacts on groundwater, steep slopes and wildlife habitat.
With the current system, properties are listed as either inside or outside the NRO boundaries.
This fall’s draft plan would introduce a three-tiered system within those boundaries that would dictate the process for adding development.
According to joint Long Range Planner Ryan Hostetter, new properties would fall under one of three categories rather than the catch-all boundaries that exist now.
Development, such as accessory units, and required environmental assessments depend on the land’s location and tier.
For the “base tier,” a checklist is submitted. The next stage is for the “middle tier” which indicates that a property has more resources, so an environmental professional would take a look at the property and provide recommendations on the development plans.
Properties ranked under the “high tier,” are a bit more streamlined with an environmental assessment requirement, which is similar to the process any properties within the existing Natural Resource Overlay — or NRO — are required to follow now.
Comparison between 1994 NRO guidelines (left) and proposed tiered NRO guidelines (right). (EcoConnect)
Hostetter said that there are exceptions built in for agriculture and some single-family additions.
“There are some exemptions that exist in the NRO today,” Hostetter said. “We tried to honor that and carry that over to make it as similar as possible.”
Hostetter recommended anyone who may be considering development look at their property on the draft’s map to see its potential corresponding tier. Folks with questions are encouraged to reach out to her office.
The county commissioners could vote on the draft changes to the overlay as early as Nov. 19. In the meantime, the county planning commission wants feedback from the public and will hold a meeting to discuss the draft on Oct. 14.
