Questions and answers about the master plan update survey

Montrose County Community Relations

Who will receive the questionnaire?

All Montrose County households, including the city of Montrose, the incorporated cities and towns in the county will be receiving a bright yellow questionnaire in their mailboxes shortly. The Board of County Commissioners approved the funding of this questionnaire in an effort to gather information from a broader spectrum of the over 18,000 Montrose County households. The upcoming survey is in addition to a series of seven public meetings that were held last fall.

Who made up the questions?

To ensure the quality of this research tool the County hired professional survey consultant, Jerry Moorman, Ph.D.. Moorman, a Mesa State College professor, has over 20 years’ experience as a survey consultant and has conducted similar surveys for the city of Montrose and the city of Grand Junction.

Through a series of work sessions between the Montrose County Planning Commissioners and Moorman, a set of 39 questions was written and agreed to. The five general categories that the questions are divided into are: private land, public land/open space, growth, and infrastructure/service and master plan issues. There is also a section that allows respondents to provide demographic data and what area of the county they reside in.

How long will it take to complete the questionnaire?

The survey will come in a single page format that allows citizens to rank their opinion on the importance of several issues. The format of this research tool was specifically designed to make it easier for respondents to complete it. Montrose County residents are encouraged to take a few minutes to decide the issues that are most important to them in the future land use decisions in the county.

How do I send it back?

For the convenience of the respondents, the return postage will be prepaid by Montrose County. In order to return the survey all citizens need to do is put the completed survey in the mail.

Respondents will notice the survey will be mailed directly to Moorman to a post mail box that has been specifically obtained for the purpose of collecting Montrose County residents’ questionnaires.

The data from the questionnaire will then be compiled and analyzed by Moorman. The analysis will be presented to the land use staff and planning commissioners during a public session in July.

Why should I reply?

Montrose County Commissioners and county management are making a concerted effort to make sure all county residents have an opportunity to give their opinion on the decisions that will affect their futures. This is part of the county’s focus on openness and transparency. The data collected from this survey will guide the ongoing update of the land use maps associated with the county master plan.

The land use maps are used as a guide by the county staff, planning commissioners and the Board of County Commissioners in making land use decisions in the unincorporated areas of Montrose County. Master plans allow a community to provide a level of predictability to both residents and developers as to how a community will develop.

The current land use maps are used when the county receives rezoning requests. For example, if an application is made to change an area from agricultural to commercial zoning, the land use maps are consulted to determine if the requested change is consistent with the designation of the master plan for that particular area.

Where can I get more information?

The land use department, 317 S. 2nd St., or www.co.montrose.co.us/LUD_masterplan_update_info.htm