Amsterdam Churchill Community Planning Group
As anyone who lives in the Gallatin Valley knows, things are changing quickly. We live in a great place, and there are a lot of people who agree with us and want to join in the fun. With the growth, however, has come some conflict. More cars are on the road, and more roads are in need of repair. More kids are in the schools, and school bonds have become a part of life. All of the construction has created a demand for gravel, and headlines have been devoted to potential conflicts between trucks and residential neighbors. A group of local residents, in consultation with the Gallatin County Planning Department, began meeting and addressing these issues in the Amsterdam/Churchill area.
The events and history leading up to the formation of the Amsterdam-Churchill Community Planning Group (ACCPG) are now available in the News Links section. Here there are some 40 links which document the history and community issues that have occurred over the past 8 years.
The ACCPG is a non-profit entity, the by-laws can be viewed at this link: by-laws
The Amsterdam/Churchill Community Planning Group is a group of volunteers who meet to discuss and implement solutions related to growth and change in the greater Amsterdam/Churchill Area.
The ACCPG's purpose is to study, inspire, and enable community decisions and public policies that respect the land and people of the unincorporated areas of Gallatin County, Montana, commonly known as Amsterdam and Churchill using the guiding principles and goals found in the Amsterdam Churchill growth plan always in a charitable manner.
The Guiding Principles
Values
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Small Town Values, Rural Character, and Quality of Life. Many residents referred to small town and church-oriented values. Many people have stated that the community is a great place to raise a family, and the strong presence of the church and quality schools added to the overall sense of good values. Quality people and their neighborliness, care and respect for others, low crime, and the quiet, calm way of life have all been discussed as important values for the area which contribute to making Amsterdam - Churchill a great place to live.
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Agriculture Heritage and Wide - Open Views. Many community residents state the agricultural nature of the area adds significantly to the quality of life of the area. In addition to lending a strong sense of history to the area (note the reference to the founding of several family farms in the timeline), many residents appreciate the open spaces and views that active farms provide.
Goals
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Infrastructure. Numerous residents cite a need to address several infrastructure needs: an improved road system and road safety; a way to address pedestrian and bicycle needs, including sidewalks, throughout the community; and public - community water systems.
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Increased Local Control. Many residents expressed strong support for the promise of community involvement and grassroots democracy, and one of the top priorities discussed by participants was an interest in increasing local control through better planning. Additionally, tools such as zoning and incorporation were also brought up regularly, with many participants expressing a willingness and desire to explore options necessary to ensure that development occurred with the community’s values in mind.
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Agriculture and Rural Lifestyle. Numerous residents expressed a strong desire to keep family farms in business and preserve the agricultural land, lifestyle, and heritage that helps define the Amsterdam - Churchill area.
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Community Values. Community values rose to the surface as a top priority for almost everyone. The church, the schools, the family-oriented atmosphere, and the community pride shown by residents were all discussed as something the Amsterdam - Churchill community needs to consciously nurture as the area grows and changes.