Mineral County officials are close to finalizing plans to update the Growth Policy by the beginning of next month.

The growth policy is a document that “serves as a planning guide for local officials and citizens for the next 20 years. It is a long range statement of local public policy, providing guidance for accommodating development within the county,” according to the introduction.

Also known as “comprehensive plans, or general plans,” the plan will be used as a guide for making decisions regarding local communities’ physical, social, and economic development.

The document states that “a Growth Policy takes stock of what a community was yesterday, is today, and provides a vision for what a community would like to become tomorrow. It includes goals based on community priorities and an action plan to help achieve those goals.”

The policy is a guide, not a regulatory document and doesn’t require regulations to be adopted. However, it does provide the legal framework and philosophical foundation in which future plans, regulations and initiatives are based.

The policy hasn’t been updated since 2008.

Mineral County Planner Tim Read has been spearheading the update effort for months. Now, the project is in its final stage.

Read said that they are working on a few areas including updating the trails system information, as well as the forest and harvest section. Next, the policy will be adopted by the three governing bodies in the county in Alberton and Superior, along with the county commissioners.

The intent to adopt the policy is scheduled for June 2.

A public hearing on the policy update was held on April 18 with the Mineral County, Alberton and Superior Planning Board where they heard recommendations and suggestions.

However, the public still has an opportunity for input.

The remaining schedule is as follows:

On May 3 the Alberton Town Council started their 30 day comment period, and Superior Town Council will start their 30-day comment period on May 9.

On June 2, the Mineral County Commissioners will meet to present a resolution for growth policy adoption.

Alberton Town Council will meet on June 7, and Superior Town Council on June 13 for resolution for growth policy adoptions.

On June 15-17, the policy will be finalized and submitted.

The policy includes analysis of existing conditions, trends and key issues on topics ranging from population and economics to public infrastructure and land use. It also covers intergovernmental coordination, subdivision review, wildland-urban interface and other required elements of state law.

Specifically, the policy covers “Existing Conditions, Trends, and Projects.” This section examines the county’s population growth; demographics; housing trends; the economy; wages and earnings; timber and wood products; land use; commercial and industrial development; agriculture; recreation; and zoning.

The next chapter covers “Intergovernmental Coordination.” This includes a look at local services such as law enforcement; fire departments; hospitals; social services; educations; waste; phone; and power.

Next, “Wildland-Urban Interface” looks at the county’s natural resources including climate; soil; water; vegetation; and wildlife.

“Subdivision Review” involves agriculture and encompassing aspects of farming or ranching; impacts on the natural environment; and public safety, as well as procedures for public hearings.

 The final chapter of the 53-page document contains a detailed strategy that provides “Goals, Objectives, and Actions” for implementing the Growth Policy.

The Mineral County Planning Board members who worked on the project include: Josh Acker, Denley Loge, Ernesto Ornelas, Kelly Dillon, Peggy Temple, Ron Stortz, John Kelly, James Mead, and Gordon Hendrick, along with the consulting firm, Land Solutions, LLC.