Park County Planning Director Joy Hill worked long into the night to prepare the documents regarding potential penalties for property and business owners her office determined were in violation for misuse of their property. That time was on top of all the time her staff had already spent.

Park County commissioners heard the dispute at a Sept. 19 meeting. Property owners Ben and Kathleen Williams were represented by attorney Jalie Meinecke, who argued a 1990s Planned Use Development for the property allows the Williams to use the W Arena for a wide manner of events, from equine clinics to concerts.

In the end, the commissioners decided to table a decision until they could speak with County Attorney Bryan Skoric. That means more time for all involved.

There’s a reason, Hill said, that staff try to avoid imposing penalties and instead seek to settle issues and violations long before the commissioners have to deal with them.

Hill said after the last meeting that she hopes new regulations aligned with the new land use plan will reduce violations, as more people understand what they can and can’t do on their property.

The county will be set to move forward on the land use planning and regulation process at a meeting today (Tuesday) in the Cody Library’s Grizzly Room (where the commissioners will meet for roughly the next six months). At 2 p.m. the commissioners will hold a public hearing on the new land use plan.

The county sent out a request for proposals, seeking a firm to update the county’s standards and regulations to align with its new land use plan. Proposals were due Friday afternoon.