Your support of this petition is greatly appreciated and hugely critical to the future of balanced land use in the Yampa Valley. 

Routt County Planning Commission is currently updating its zoning codes and subdivision regulations as part of implementing the goals and vision of the 2022 Routt County Master Plan Update. One aspect to this update that is growing a concerning amount of momentum is restricting the home size that can be built in Routt County to no greater than 7,500 sq. ft. Nowhere in the 2022 Master Plan does home size appear as an issue of community concern and such action has never been considered by Routt County in the past. We are a local group of concerned citizens and construction professionals in Routt County that do not believe there is a problem currently, nor will there be in the future, related to large homes that need to be mitigated by a size limitation. We view this as extremely short sighted and a gross overreach of government intervening with private property rights.

We also feel that the commission does not realize the economic impact a restriction of this nature could have on Routt County businesses.

1. This action will not only be detrimental to the construction community in Routt County but especially to the employees who work in industries that cater to these homeowners of large homes and their guests. This affects the livelihood of so many. The Contractors and their employees, Real Estate Agents and their employees, Subcontractors and their workers, i.e., plumbers, electricians, excavators, HVAC, tile and carpet vendors, lumber yards, cabinet companies, etc., who depend upon these jobs for their livelihoods. Not to mention the people who earn their livelihood by maintaining these properties. Landscapers, window washers, residential home cleaners, property managers. This aspect of the Plan Update has been worked on behind closed doors, without proper engagement by Routt County officials of the HOAs, developments, and countless others that would be impacted.
2. The economy of Routt County is overwhelmingly driven by tourism and construction. Moreover, larger homes attract tourists and new residents alike, whom are major contributors to our local economy.
3. A restriction such as this would have a trickledown effect, ultimately negatively impacting local stores and businesses that rely on all of us to purchase their goods and services, producing sales tax revenues for the city and county.
4. Limiting home size is a biased attack on people of high net worth. These are the very people who generously make sizable contributions that uplift the operations of nonprofit organizations in our community. This is an ill-informed move, i.e., suggesting large homes degrade community character is a completely subjective and flawed assertion.
5. Limits on home sizes will negatively impact values of vacant residential land, potentially devaluing properties for owners that have paid top market prices based on vested development rights in existence at the time of purchase. This will not bode well for Routt County’s property tax base. 

Your prompt attention and action on this matter is of critical importance. Please sign the petition today (and forward to your clients and colleagues) to show the Commissioners that this is not the will of the Routt County community. This change is coming quickly and almost for certain without a drastic showing of opposition. 

Here are the ways to have your voice heard before it is too late: 

• Attend an upcoming meeting to discuss the draft regulations in the BCC Hearing Room located on the 3rd floor of the Historic Courthouse at 522 Lincoln Avenue, Steamboat Springs, CO, 80487
  • Joint PC/ BCC public work session on April 18 at 4:00 pm 
  • Joint PC/BCC public work session on April 25 at 4:00 pm
  • If you're unable to attend a meeting in person, follow the link below to the county webpage. Scroll down and below the bolded font stating "Upcoming Engagement Opportunities" you will find the Zoom Links.                    https://www.navigateyourroutt.com/get-involved-code-update
• Attend a regularly scheduled Planning Commission Hearing or Board of County Commissioner Tuesday Hearing and take advantage of the public comment period. Please utilize the Agenda Center to monitor upcoming hearings.
• Submit a written letter to Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners. Letters may be dropped off or mailed to: The Planning Department located at 136 6th Street, Ste. 200, Steamboat Springs, CO, 80487. Alternatively, they may be emailed to: planningdept@co.routt.co.us