The City of Hamilton adopted the Growth Policy at their regular meeting on June 2, 2009.  Applied Communications was the lead consultant working with the City to draft the Growth Policy.  Rocking M Design, of Missoula, MT was also on the project team primarily to assist with drafting the Parks Element.  The Hamilton Planning Board has been working on drafting the Growth Policy for the last year.  The Growth Policy reflects input from focus groups, a community survey, visioning session and Planning Board workshops.     

The Growth Policy addresses topics such as land use, public facilities, economic development, and housing.  The Growth Policy also addresses natural resource and transportation issues. The Hamilton Growth Policy includes a Park and Recreation Element and a Planning Area Element.  The Growth Policy generally takes a long-range view for the next 20 years and includes goals and policies to address the issues that Hamilton will likely face during this timeframe. 

The Growth Policy builds on many other planning efforts and studies.  Major issues include infrastructure planning, water quality issues, community character, downtown, and future growth areas.    The Growth Policy included goals and policies for these and many other issues.  The policies will provide a foundation for establishing programs, seeking funding sources, amending regulations, and negotiating agreements.   It includes an implementation element with an action plan and identifies funding sources and partners to enact plan recommendations.   An electronic copy may be downloaded from the City web site (http://www.cityofhamilton.net/)