Opinion ID: 889830
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Growth Policies and Neighborhood Plans

Text: ¶ 7 At this juncture, it is useful to explain the function of a growth policy. It is the policy of Montana to encourage local units of government to improve the present health, safety, convenience, and welfare of their citizens and to plan for the future development of their communities to the end that highway systems be carefully planned; that new community centers grow only with adequate highway, utility, health, educational, and recreational facilities; that the needs of agriculture, industry, and business be recognized in future growth; that residential areas provide healthy surroundings for family life; and that the growth of the community be commensurate with and promotive of the efficient and economical use of public funds. Section 76-1-102(1), MCA. ¶ 8 To that end, the governing body of any city, town, or county (or the governing bodies of any combination thereof) is authorized to create a planning board in order to promote the orderly development of its governmental units and its environs. Section 76-1-101, MCA. Among other things, a planning board is authorized to prepare a growth policy. [2] Section 76-1-106(1), MCA. The required contents of a growth policy are set out in § 76-1-601(3)(a)-(j), MCA. They include maps and text describing the characteristics and features of the jurisdictional area; community goals and objectives; and a description of measures to be implemented in order to achieve those goals and objectives. See id. A growth policy may also include neighborhood plans, which must be consistent with the growth policy. Section 76-1-601(4)(a), MCA. A neighborhood plan is a plan for a geographic area within the boundaries of the jurisdictional area that addresses one or more of the elements of the growth policy in more detail. Section 76-1-103(8), MCA. ¶ 9 Before submitting a proposed growth policy to the governing body, the planning board must hold a public hearing. Section 76-1-602(1), MCA. After consideration of the information elicited at the public hearing, the board must then recommend that the growth policy be adopted, that a growth policy not be adopted, or that the governing body take some other action. Section 76-1-603, MCA. The governing body, in turn, may adopt or reject a proposed growth policy. Section 76-1-604(1), MCA. ¶ 10 An adopted growth policy is not a regulatory document. Section 76-1-605(2)(a), MCA. Nevertheless, the governing body still must be guided by and give consideration to the general policy and pattern of development set out in the growth policy in the authorization, construction, alteration, or abandonment of public ways, public places, public structures, or public utilities; in the authorization, acceptance, or construction of water mains, sewers, connections, facilities, or utilities; and in the adoption of zoning ordinances or resolutions. Section 76-1-605(1), MCA. A governing body may not withhold, deny, or impose conditions on a land-use approval based solely on compliance with an adopted growth policy. Section 76-1-605(2)(b), MCA.