County PC backs FY27 plan work: PRD overhaul, water-quality LDRs, habitat fee

Teton County’s Planning Commission on March 2 recommended a FY2027 Long Range Planning Work Plan that prioritizes three rollover land-use policy projects: amending Land Development Regulations (LDRs) for water quality, overhauling/retiring Planned Residential Development (PRD) tools, and updating the county’s habitat-mitigation program with a potential fee-in-lieu option. The work plan is intended to guide staff priorities as the county heads into budget season, with the FY27 fiscal year beginning July 1. (Planning Commission Staff Report)

In the water-quality track, staff said the LDR project is implementing recommendations from the Water Quality Management Plan (Trihydro), including potentially sensitive items such as removing certain large-parcel agricultural exemptions, prohibiting ponds, and creating a tiered Water Quality Protection Overlay. Staff told the commission they plan to release a draft “redline” in May 2026 and aim for a Planning Commission public hearing in July. (Planning Commission Staff Report)

For the PRD-tool project, the work plan reflects prior commissioner direction to remove the Rural PRD tool and consider changes to other rural conservation/entitlement tools (including the Floor Area Option) amid state-law and market changes. The habitat-mitigation item is framed as an update that could include a fee-in-lieu mechanism and involves coordination with Public Works. The work plan also lists ongoing efforts including a county addressing resolution, continued monitoring tied to the Teton County Scenic Preserve Trust “Status Quo Plus,” and routine LDR text/zoning map amendments initiated by the public. (Planning Commission Staff Report)