Carbon County Land Use Plan Update

Carbon County is starting the process of updating the County’s Land Use Plan, which is intended to be a guide for future development and growth for Carbon County. The land use plan should provide a functional plan for 10 years, with an outlook out to 20 years. 

Carbon County wishes to update its land use plan utilizing a planning process that is engaging, well-conceived, and professionally facilitated. 

The County expects the plan to be a community-based effort emphasizing citizen involvement with representation and contribution from a variety of citizens, areas in the County, community groups and organizations, local agencies, City and County boards, commissions, and the Board of County Commissioners. The County expects the community participation process to be innovative and will consider a variety of outreach methods to reach as many citizens as possible during the planning process. This will help to create a county vision that will assist in establishing goals and objectives for the County’s future. The goal is for the land use plan to generally be completed within 9 to 12 months from the kick-off meetings.

We invite you to explore our webpage to learn more about the land use planning process and be sure to check back for new information and more community engagement as the process moves forward. 



Carbon County Land Use Plan Update Process

Phase Complete

Carbon County Land Use Plan 2012

Carbon County's current land use plan was last amended in 2012. 

Phase Complete

Phase I - Project Initiation & Research (May 2023 - September 2023)

  • Develop steering committee
  • Convene regular project meetings 
  • Review existing data and plans
  • Public Event 
  • Compile existing land use patterns
  • Prepare base maps 
Phase Complete

Phase II - Policy Formation (September 2023 - April 2024)

  • Administer community survey 
  • Review common vision for Carbon County 
Phase in Progress
Current Phase

Phase III - Chapter Preparation (February 2024 - July 2024)

  • Prepare Land Use Plan chapters to reflect community input from survey/outreach events
  • Evaluate the 2010 Land Use Map 
  • Develop and review Future Land Use Map
  • Develop and refine goals, objectives, and implementation strategies
  • Identify potential future regional planning areas with Carbon County


    Future Phase

    Phase IV - Public Comment (July 2024 - August 2024)

    • Conduct public meetings for review and comment on draft Land Use Plan update
    • Dates of Public Meetings - TBD
    Future Phase

    Phase V - Plan Adoption (September-October 2024)

    • Incorporate comments from public comment period 
    • Conduct public hearings before adoption by the Planning Commission and Carbon County Board of County Commissioners

    Review Documents

    2012 Carbon County Land Use Plan
    This is the current land use plan that is being updated.
     View & Download
    DRAFT Carbon County Land Use Plan Update 2024
    Coming in 2024!!
     View & Download
    Public Engagement Strategy
    Read all about the planning process and how you will be able to get involved!
     View & Download

    Steering Committee Materials

    Steering Committee Contact Info
    List of the Steering Committee Members
     View & Download
    July 26, 2023 Meeting Agenda
     View & Download
    August 23, 2023 Meeting Agenda
     View & Download
    September 27, 2023 Meeting Agenda
     View & Download
    November 15, 2023 Meeting Agenda
     View & Download
    January 17, 2024 Meeting Agenda
     View & Download
    February 28, 2024 Meeting Agenda
     View & Download
    March 27, 2024 Meeting Agenda
     View & Download

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • Outlines the long-term vision, goals, and policies for the development and use of land.
    • Guide for decision-makers, including elected officials and planning commissions, to make informed choices about land use and development within the county.
    • Serves as a blueprint for guiding future growth and development.
    • Considers existing conditions, anticipated population changes, and natural resources.
    • Developed through a comprehensive planning process that involves community engagement, input from stakeholders, and collaboration among various government agencies and departments.

    • A zoning ordinance
    • An application for incorporation or annexation
    • A method for taxation
    • A rule or regulation

    One of the most important parts of the land use plan update is making sure the voice of the residents and stakeholders within Carbon County is heard. The Land Use Plan update process will incorporate numerous ways for involvement. Initial outreach events will occur in late summer/early fall 2023, a survey will be conducted in fall/winter 2023, and public meetings for comment on the draft will be held in summer 2024. You can always send any questions or comments to the project managers Bree Burton, bree@y2consultants.com or Megan Nelms, megan@y2consultants.com at any time during the process. 

    The update to the plan will take approximately 18 months. Initial research and information gathering started in May 2023 and final adoption of the plan is anticipated in August 2024. The timeline above will be updated as different phases of the project progress. 

    Carbon County Land Use Plan Citizen Survey

     Thank you to all who participated in the survey and provided your input. The responses to the survey will provide a baseline for the development of updated goals and objectives for land use in Carbon County. Please let Bree Burton (bree@y2consultants.com) or Megan Nelms (megan@y2consultants.com) know if you have any questions. Thank you for your participation! 

    Carbon County Land Use Plan Update - Citizen Survey


    Carbon County Land Use Plan Update Open Houses

    Join us at one of the open houses to learn about the process for the update to the Carbon County Land Use Plan and to provide your input into where different land uses should occur throughout Carbon County. 

    27
    September
    2023

    Rawlins - Jeffrey Center (315 W. Pine Street, Rawlins)

    West Room - 5:30-7:30 PM 

    For further information please contact us at bree@y2consultants.com or megan@y2consultants.com 

    28
    September
    2023

    Baggs - Carbon County Higher Education Center (360 Whippoorwill, Baggs)

    Downstairs Room - 5:30-7:30 PM

    For further information please contact us at bree@y2consultants.com or megan@y2consultants.com 

    Archive of Public Outreach

    Provided below are the public outreach efforts for the Land Use Plan update. 

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