Teton County and Jackson approve comprehensive plan

A five year effort in Teton County has come to an end.  County commissioners and the Jackson Town Council have voted to adopt a new comprehensive plan that will guide future development in the county. 

Under the plan most new development will occur in existing neighborhoods and communities.  Jackson Mayor Mark Barron says that will protect open space.

“It makes darn good sense if you are going to be a planning a community to put any additional density where dense masses already exist.  For example the town of Jackson, Teton Village, the town of Wilson, so that you can maintain more open space opportunities. ”

Barron hopes that the plan will ease the concerns of many residents. 

“Really talking about planning issues on one percent of the land in Teton County.  And we are trying to balance the rights of private property owners with the values of our community.  Never an easy task. ”

In a prepared statement, County Commission Chairman Ben Ellis noted that it was a public process and nobody got what they wanted.  Some groups say they may want to take the plan to a public vote, but Mayor Barron says they will deal with that when the time comes.  But he jokes that land planning in Teton County requires a hard hat.