Residents present results of unincorporated-area survey, ask commission to consider findings

Marjorie Hans Torland, speaking during public comment as a resident of Old LaSalle, told the Planning Commission the citizen group she helped form completed a targeted survey of unincorporated parts of San Juan County and collected 236 responses in May. The group aimed to reach households with addresses in unincorporated areas and provided both printed and online versions of the questionnaire, Torland said. Volunteers visited homes to help people complete surveys and to limit duplication, and the group spent about $500 of its own funds on printing.

Torland said respondents described “rural” as intentional self-reliance, low population and large-acre homesteads rather than land awaiting urbanization. She said survey respondents reported difficulties with representation and communication from county government. Torland said the group will deliver the full survey questions and responses to county staff so planners and commissioners can review them as a current indication of unincorporated residents’ priorities.

The commission did not take action during the public-comment period. Staff later said they plan to incorporate updated survey results into the general-plan land-use section in place of older 2018 material when appropriate.