Why Good Planning Takes Time

January 2025 | Eric Jennings, Lawrence County Commissioner Opinion Editorial, Black Hills Pioneer

I used to get frustrated with how long it took government bodies to make a decision and pass a bill into law. But after learning more about the law-making process, I understand the importance of the snail’s pace. The slow pace allows those involved to fully flesh out an issue and understand all the possible consequences of a proposed action.  I often use the phrase “it’s better to get it done right, than done quick” when referring to proposed ordinances in the county. While it still frustrates me that these things take so long to get finished, I understand the value in taking our time to get it right.  

The Future Land Use Map (FLUM) is one of those projects now moving into its second year, after what started a year ago as a seemingly simple project.  The FLUM is intended to go along with the comprehensive plan to delineate on a map where the areas of future development may occur and the areas we want to see unchanged.  The county worked with a contractor, the SE Group, to create a map and a narrative to use as a starting point in public meetings. At the two public meetings we received many good comments from citizens of the county to consider. The Lawrence County Planning and Zoning Board evaluated the comments, both written and verbal, reaching the conclusion that even though the contract with the SE group has expired, we still have a lot of work to do on the map and accompanying narrative.  

It is important to remember that the FLUM is for future planning purposes, not current zoning. The zoning map and descriptions of the zoning districts are what is currently allowed in the various zoning districts of the county. The FLUM is intended to identify the areas that we feel may be appropriate for growth, and the areas we may want to prevent growth. The FLUM is not an indication of zoning changes the Commission intends to make. It is merely a guide, along with the comprehensive plan, to give residents, developers and county planners guidance for future land use.  

One of the challenges we have faced is mapping areas with potential extractive uses.  Whether you are in favor of allowing extractive uses in the county or not, there is no denying of the potential that exists below the surface. Particularly south of the interstate, the county is rich with deposits of gravel, precious metals and rare earth elements. We would be remiss if we didn’t identify the areas that have the potential for mining. The challenge has been adding an extractive use layer to the map, without making the map hard to read. We are still working on how to incorporate the extractive use areas, but it is possible we will need to put them on a separate map.

The Planning and Zoning Board will continue to refine the map and narrative whether it be during work sessions at their regular monthly meeting, or at a special meeting. As always, these meetings are open to the public. The work continues to “get it right”.