Planning group wants regional designation

Bell Buckle's planning commission wants to be designated a regional planning commission and will ask for the city council's approval as well as an OK from the county commission.

However, the request will not be submitted to the county body until the planning commission approves Bell Buckle's subdivision regulations, which should take place over the next two months.

Alderman Dennis Webb suggested the idea to the commission, saying that he saw no negative impact in doing so, only positives.

Handing out copies of state statutes, Webb stated that the Department of Economic and Community Development can create a planning region composed of the municipality and their urban growth boundary. The members of the regional commission would be the members of the current planning commission.

According to the Municipal Technical Advisory Service, (MTAS) the body could adopt subdivision regulations beyond their corporate limits, but only in their urban growth boundary. The county would have jurisdiction over zoning.

The town would have to petition the county's planning commission and seek permission, Webb said.

"I think a move in this direction shows our community and the county that we seek to promote planning, though limited, in our urban growth boundary," Webb said. "I also believe it reinforces the message that Bell Buckle is committed to a quality plan and that we see our urban growth boundary as a natural extension of Bell Buckle's future."

State planners told the commission that the subdivision regulations were ready and members of the audience stated they had ideas they wanted to add to the large document.

The commission will look over the regulations during next month's meeting, at which time they will examine citizen contributions and then approve the document in December.

Other additions could be made in the future, with members calling the regulations "a work in progress."

Commission members and citizens also took time to examine maps provided by state planners of the town's urban growth boundary and a preliminary land use map. Many in the audience suggested that changes be made to make the boundary more symmetrical and circular, noting that the current boundaries extended mainly to the north and south.

State planners also said they are continuing to work on a land use map for Bell Buckle.

Other items discussed was an addition to the subdivision regulation to require sprinkler systems in new homes constructed.

Commission member Frank Reagor suggested the regulation, noted that Scotsdale, Ariz., had adopted it and there had been no fire deaths in that city since. The commission will examine the regulation and may add it during next month's meeting. State planners will also research the matter.

The commission also approved the minutes of the Aug. 24, 2004, meeting, which had been the topic of some confusion. They also adopted bylaws and planning program design that was presented by state planners.