JOANN KALENAK, DCCR SENIOR BLOGGER –
At Wednesday’s Planning Commission meeting, Planner Kate Kelly told commissioners that Carl Holm, the county’s Community Development and Natural Resources Director, would leave his position as of June 1, 2023. Holm will continue to work in the Planning Department on the Land Use Code, the permit database and the county’s housing strategy. County Administrator Robbie LeValley will act as Planning Director.
Holm was hired as director in January 2021 and immediately faced the implementation of a brand new Land Use Code that included the county’s first attempt at zoning. This task proved difficult and highly contentious when Holm introduced changes after spending more than a year dealing with numerous problems with the code.
Holm told County Commissioners in early 2022, that the use of variances had become the rule rather than the exception they are intended to be. Holm sought to clarify language and better define guidelines to add predicability and streamline the application process for land use in Delta County.
Planning Commissioners had received a letter from Holm prior to the meeting explaining his intentions and he did not attend the meeting.
Commissioner Tate Locke expressed regret at losing Holm saying, “…he’s been great here.”