Updated draft growth policy goes before Libby council Monday

Those wishing to comment on the City of Libby’s Growth Policy will once again be able to have their voices heard, as the city tries to look to the future and anticipate growth and development.

The draft document is scheduled to receive public comment at the Libby City Council meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5. The council will then decide if it will pass a resolution of intent to adopt the document.

On Oct. 24, the Libby City Planning Board heard public comments and made several changes to the initial draft including wording changes, changes to proposed actions and changes in accompanying timeframes.

Public comments from various individuals in the October meeting raised concerns about the city’s annexation policy, which the Planning Board noted was a decision the City Council would need to make – currently there is no formal annexation policy for the City of Libby, according to Planning Board Chair Kristen Smith.

The new growth policy will serve as an update of the city's 2010 growth policy.

Officials stated that the draft growth policy currently highlights areas that the city is projecting to see growth in the future. The draft growth policy estimates that Libby’s population will increase by 100-150 people in the next 10 years.

“The Libby City Planning Board has made a recommendation to the City Council to adopt the Growth Policy updates subject to revisions as outlined in the Libby City Planning Board Resolution,” Community Planner Joel Nelson wrote in a press release.

People in attendance can comment on the draft document, or can submit comments beforehand by mailing them to Libby City Council, PO Box 1428, Libby, MT 59923.

The city also makes accommodations for those with disabilities, but those needing reasonable accommodations should contact the City Administrator Sam Sikes by emailing city.admin@cityoflibby.com beforehand.

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail,” city council member Zach McNew said at the Oct. 24 planning board meeting.

The updated Libby Growth Policy is available at: www.imaginelibbymt.com.