Staff Discusses Teton County Zoning for Workforce Housing at Munger Mountain Meeting

The Teton County Planning Commission meeting on August 11, 2025, focused on community feedback regarding zoning changes and local development concerns. Staff members recapped a previous meeting held in July 2021 at Munger Mountain Elementary School, where they announced plans to create new zoning regulations and welcomed public input through an online survey. The survey received 12 responses, highlighting key community concerns such as traffic and transportation, water quality, housing opportunities for employees, and challenges related to existing regulations for home businesses.

During the meeting, the commission discussed the implications of a proposed three-acre site limit for new developments, which aligns with existing regulations for workforce home businesses. This limit raised questions among commissioners about property rights and the responsibilities of property owners to understand local land development regulations.

Public comments were also a significant part of the meeting, with five verbal comments and eight written submissions received during the planning commission hearing. One applicant, Kirk Hogan of Ridgeline Excavation, shared his perspective on the local business environment, emphasizing the lack of available space for businesses in Teton County and arguing that his operations were consistent with those of neighboring businesses.

The discussions underscored the ongoing challenges Teton County faces in balancing development needs with community concerns, particularly regarding zoning regulations and property rights. The commission's next steps will involve further consideration of public feedback and the implications of proposed zoning changes for the community.