Meetings begin for a vision of Libby in 100 years

Issues relating to Libby's future kept some city council members in discussion later than normal this week.

The Planning Board, chaired by city councilwoman Peggy Williams, hosted a working committee to hear what councilors envisioned for the city's future.

The members originally agreed to look 100 years into the future, but decided to concentrate on what they hoped Libby might become in the next 20 years.

Members raised issues as detailed as installing diagonal parking along Mineral Avenue to larger issues of sewage treatment and zoning restrictions for casinos.

City council member Lee Bothman also suggested having a mixed zoning area from Louisiana Avenue to Main Street and 2nd Street to 9th Street in order to allow businesses to develop in that corridor of the city. They also discussed issues such as regulating curb and sidewalk procedures and how to better utilize vacant lots.

The goal of the Planning Board is to establish a “growth policy,” a document organizing and delineating a city's goals for growth and planning. They include a number of elements from zoning regulations to water treatment plants to wildland fire prevention.

According to the Montana Growth Policy Book, a growth policy “must meet certain minimum requirement that are oriented toward the future and taking actions to implement [it].”

A growth policy is essentially mandated by the state government, with the existing growth policy dating back to the 1970s.

When asked about the reason for the working committee, which cannot formally declare or pass any resolutions, Williams responded that “it's important to hear what is important to everyone else.”

The growth policy will have an important role to play once drafted and approved by the public. For instance, any language regarding the future of casinos in the city would be used as a guideline for accepting or declining the business license.

“It sets the stage; it's a vision for Libby,” Williams explained. “But it's not officially how the city must grow.”

The Board recently began working with Greg Larson, an experienced grant writer and city planner. He will help in drafting the report, and signaling how and where funds could be received in order to implement the policy.

Occasionally, issues come up before the city council relating to Libby's future that are met with different visions for the city.

For instance, Libby Mayor Tony Berget wanted to purchase a house at the end of Lincoln Street, in the hope that it might someday allow easier access to the Industrial Park and City Hall.

But the council hesitated as to how important the property would be in the future. If the downtown area grows in a different section or toward a different area, having property near City Hall may not be helpful.

While the issue eventually died without a vote, a growth policy might have guided the council to a vote, one way or another.

Williams hopes to finish a draft of the document by late summer, with one or two public meetings necessary before the council can approve the policy.