Should the county implement its draft land-use plan, only parts of it or start over?
HarryBaxtrom
Age: 60
Occupation: Veterinarian.
Party: Republican.
Every county needs a land-use plan. The draft we are currently dealing with in La Plata County is not acceptable. There are some parts of the plan which have not been addressed adequately and there are others which need to be deleted. The current plan needs significant work to become an effective instrument. We need to make changes which will make the code implementable, enforceable, and fair.
Peter TregillusAge: 58.
Occupation: Grant writer, programs developer for Southern Ute Community Action Programs.
Party: Democrat.
Let’s implement parts of it. To insist on perfection, or to start over, is to advocate for delay. Delay does not benefit residents in general, though it does benefit developers and land owners. How? By allowing land use applications (over 140 as of August) to be submitted under the old rules. I’m on the city-county Joint Planning Commission, and saw how this works. We have “Area Plans” like the Grandview Area Plan, but they have no teeth. County documents from 2002 identify this as a problem. It’s fixed in the draft code, but it’s not implemented. Let’s drop trivial regulations over the color of barns and focus on making the code easier to understand and use. Let’s implement it. Let’s include clearer standards, sections designed to create a more efficient development review process, and sections to encourage preservation of agricultural lands and open space.
Wally WhiteAge: 65.
Occupation: County commissioner.
Party: Democrat.
I would like to see us implement our new code with modifications from our old code. Once this is done, staff can begin working on revisions to our Comprehensive Plan which needs to be updated as well. Last year, staff brought forth some concerns about the new code relative to enforceability and implementation. We then adopted our strategic plan, the “Compass,” some of which is at odds with the new code. Consequently, the BOCC decided to delay implementation until we could work through some of these issues. In the meantime, staff began working on the oil and gas regulations, which are very important from a health and safety aspect. Once we complete revisions to the Comprehensive Plan, we can then revise the land use code to align with both our strategic plan and the Comp Plan.
KellieHotter
Age: 45.
Occupation: County commissioner, appointed February 2007.
Party: Republican.
Kellie Hotter had a death in the
family and was unable to respond.
How will you help the county adjust to declining natural-gas revenue?
HarryBaxtrom
Age: 60
Occupation: Veterinarian.
Party: Republican.
I want to see La Plata County develop a new diverse business base. Business investors and entrepreneurs need to come here and find the infrastructure and amenities necessary for their business to thrive. The process of getting through the planning and permitting needs to be user friendly and fair but not prohibitively restrictive. Establishing this type of business environment will allow potential businesses to view La Plata County favorably. We also need to support all of our existing business. It is the county’s role to assist business and developers to produce this atmosphere. The county needs to be aggressive in attracting new business. We need to begin now by promoting opportunity.
Increasing our business base and diversification are the answer to replacing gas revenues.
Peter TregillusAge: 58.
Occupation: Grant writer, programs developer for Southern Ute Community Action Programs.
Party: Democrat.
This is not something the county can do on its own. It requires partnership and teamwork with other key groups and stakeholders: Chambers of Commerce (Ignacio, Bayfield, Durango), Fort Lewis College, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Region 9 Economic Development District, banks, and even the three public school districts. Specifically, here’s how the county can do its part. 1) Pass the Land Use Code! Make county planning more business-friendly. 2) Nurture and grow existing and new local businesses (like Mercury Payment Systems) in partnership with other stakeholders. Support the talent coming out of Fort Lewis College; help them grow businesses and jobs. 3) Let’s get started on zoning. Zoning not only preserves property values, but also makes it easier and cheaper for a job-creating project to go through county planning. And finally, 4) preserve our natural beauty and quality of life. It’s our best asset.
Wally WhiteAge: 65.
Occupation: County commissioner.
Party: Democrat.
I have consistently advocated for plans to attract new businesses to the county. I am in support of a new business/industrial park as one method. I believe traditional zoning would help by providing clear direction to new businesses. I have been very proactive in directing the County to energy conservation practices in order to reduce our expenses. Given the developing economic situation, I believe we need to be very fiscally conservative in our budget process. I have lobbied on both State and Federal levels for programs (changes in severance tax allocations, PILT funding) that bring additional funds to the County and will continue to further efforts in this direction.
KellieHotter
Age: 45.
Occupation: County commissioner, appointed February 2007.
Party: Republican.
Kellie Hotter had a death in the
family and was unable to respond.
Should the county go ahead with its proposed gas and oil regulations or wait for the COGCC?
HarryBaxtrom
Age: 60
Occupation: Veterinarian.
Party: Republican.
The COGCC regulations are on track to be adopted soon. It seems to me we would be better responsible to allow the COGCC regulations to be adopted then meld the state and county regulations together.
By passing the county regulations now, we run the risk of several pre-emption issues as well as duplication of regulation. While it seems we can address this issue by the use of Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) this only adds a layer of uncertainty. It is my belief the regulation should not have any duplication. All the issues should be dealt with clearly in set language so the boundaries are defined. The use of language changes and MOUs will only cloud the issue.
Peter TregillusAge: 58.
Occupation: Grant writer, programs developer for Southern Ute Community Action Programs.
Party: Democrat.
Yes. Let’s “go ahead” as opposed to, “sit back and wait for the state to act.” La Plata County has been the leader in pushing for oil and gas regulations that are friendlier to surface owners, wildlife, and, I hope, friendlier to people who might eventually drink water coming out of the ground – our children and grandchildren. The county has established the right to set stronger terms and require mitigation of impacts on surface owners. There have been over 114 gas well and pad permit applications since April 1, about the time when my opponent voted to delay a vote on new regulations. Now that vote was scheduled for Oct. 28, but has been postponed – again! I would have voted with Wally White to implement more protective rules last spring. Let’s get new regulations in place now and fix problems through text amendments. I support continuous progress, not a wait for perfection.
Wally WhiteAge: 65.
Occupation: County commissioner.
Party: Democrat.
I have been quoted by the Herald that I see no reason to wait for the COGCC rulemaking to be completed. I still believe this as we have no idea how long they will take in their approval process. The safety, health and welfare of our citizens are at risk here and I want to see our regulations in place as soon as possible. La Plata County has the best regulations in the State and I will continue to work for improvements that will protect the interests of surface owners. The health of our citizens and our groundwater supplies are also at risk and I will do everything I can to protect them through improved oil and gas regulations.
KellieHotter
Age: 45.
Occupation: County commissioner, appointed February 2007.
Party: Republican.
Kellie Hotter had a death in the
family and was unable to respond.
What is the No. 1 issue you would focus on as commissioner?
HarryBaxtrom
Age: 60
Occupation: Veterinarian.
Party: Republican.
The number one issue in La Plata County is growth. Growth can be either positive or negative. We need to direct growth so it is positive. This applies to business as well as residential growth.
A community with no growth will surely perish. I want to see growth controlled so we can preserve our history, culture, and environment while developing a healthy vibrant community.
We need to address issues such as density and regulation. Defining what we will accept in terms of growth as it pertains to these issues is our first step. Once we make the decisions we can begin to direct growth in the county for the benefit of all.
Peter TregillusAge: 58.
Occupation: Grant writer, programs developer for Southern Ute Community Action Programs.
Party: Democrat.
I would work to change how the county grows. Look at the kind of growth we’ve seen over the last 15 years. How well is this working in the county? Some do well: land owners in growth areas, developers, their attorneys. My opponent’s campaign has received major funding, $24,320 as of the last filing, from those who have an interest in business as usual: delayed adoption of the draft land use code (which I would implement). While she likes to talk about serving on the Governor’s Smart Growth Task Force, she has failed to advance the code. The consequences of this delay are more financial stress on working families, degraded views, degraded environmental quality, more energy-wasting and CO2-emitting sprawl, and congested roads. A new land use code would provide a fair and level playing field for development and puts us on the path to smart growth. Let’s get it done.
Wally WhiteAge: 65.
Occupation: County commissioner.
Party: Democrat.
We have enough challenges in front of us that I find it hard to prioritize in this fashion. I will work to support the repeal of the exemption of the use of toxic chemicals by the gas industry in the Safe Water Drinking Act. I am in support of the development of the two proposed rural water districts. I will be working to develop a regional transportation system to provide public transportation to our rural residents. I will be working to protect our air quality, to protect our agricultural heritage, to protect our roadless areas, and our water resources. Improvements in primary health care services, senior services, and programs for our children and youth are high priorities as well. Preparing La Plata County for the future is my highest priority, and there are many other areas to address to lay a firm foundation to meet the challenges ahead.
KellieHotter
Age: 45.
Occupation: County commissioner, appointed February 2007.
Party: Republican.
Kellie Hotter had a death in the
family and was unable to respond.
Posts
