Property owners with large lots in the GRP, 1 acre minimum zoning area are dividing off small lots in simple subdivisions.

At Tuesday's Park County Commissioners’ meeting, three such simple subdivision final plats were approved in areas north, south and east of Powell.

These come as a new Park County Land Use Plan nears final approval, which could lead to future zoning changes that could alter the large amount of GRP zoning that allows 1-acre lot minimums far outside of city limits.

Of the three simple subdivision lots created, one is 15 acres and two are under 5 acres, although all three are being broken off of larger lots and thus would still fall under lot averaging regulations even if they were in a zoning area with a much larger lot size minimum.

Lot size minimums have been a major topic of discussion throughout the new land use plan process, with some people telling P&Z and county commissioners they’re concerned they wouldn’t be able to subdivide their land as much under new regulations if they go from being in a 1-acre minimum to a 20-acre minimum.

While properties could get more restricted, County Planning Director Joy Hill previously noted how lot size averaging still allows larger landowners to sell off some small lots.