County Commissioners Tackle Growth Challenges
 | Author:
Nancy Marks
Nancy Marks: MT43 News Secretary and News Editor |
County Commissioners Try to Get ahead of Community Growth Problems
Broadwater County Commissioners updated the Community Growth Plan for the county’s subdivisions and new businesses five years ago. Now it is sorely outdated. Because of the rapid growth in Broadwater County, it is the second fastest-growing county in the state. US Census numbers show the county’s population has grown 29.92% since 2000. The projected growth in 2022 is 7,000 residents.
At the Oct. 11 meeting at the County building, commissioners heard a presentation by Cody Ferguson Community Planning Program Manager for WGM Engineering of Missoula. He and Outreach Coordinator Gus Byrom of the Montana Dept. of Commerce presented a listening session with other members of WGM engineering and Montana Business Assistance Connection(MBAC). The commissioners have requested help with a Community Growth Plan update.
The group listened to the commissioners’ concerns about updating the subdivision regulations. “The idea is to try to understand the needs and wants of people who move into what they think is a rural area with less traffic, good services, and good water,” Byrom said. Byrom presented a map of the Wheatland-Elk Ridge area subdivisions which showed almost 100 homes. “Now residents are faced with serious water issues, huge traffic congestion and no planned land use. We must try to meet their needs, but still protect agricultural land in nearby areas,” he said.
The study plan will develop a roadmap for emergency services in the south and try to meet the need for public transportation for senior citizens and veterans. Other suggestions for the plan include trails and parks. It will also include a plan for water use and wastewater treatment. Commissioner Folkvord expanded on the issues. “We must develop a plan that fits our needs now with the money we have to invest, plus we must plan funds to maintain all new infrastructure. What many people don’t understand is that most of these subdivisions in the county were created under our old growth policy in 2006 and 2007 and are just now filling up. We just didn’t think the growth would happen this fast.”
A plus to add to the growth plan is the Preliminary Action Report (PAR) location where law enforcement, emergency responders and the fire district will have a location to work from in the southern end of the county. It will include an office where people can do county business and go to vote, Folkvord said. A three-acre parcel was donated by Bridger Brewing in an agreement with the county under the 2019 Targeted Economic Development District(TEDD) program.
Commissioner Mike Delger pointed out the Silos area subdivision is sorely lacking services such as emergency, fire, and broadband. “Besides, Highway 287 is a deathtrap for subdivision residents who try to get on and off the road,” he said. He pointed out economic development is down in the middle of the county due to limited growth right around Townsend. “People want jobs but don’t want other people to move in,” he said, “so where do we put people?” He feels the biggest issue is water which affects the agricultural community.
The comprehensive plan will take about six months to complete at a cost between $40,000 and $50,000, most of which will be paid through grant sources. Before commissioners can adopt a plan, MBAC, WGM Engineering and the Montana Dept. of Commerce will coordinate already available information and do public listening sessions to build a new growth plan. The scope of work will begin in November.
