The Wyoming Rural Development Council completed a community assessment for this community in July 2006. Community issues and recommendations identified during this process led the Town of Star Valley Ranch to retain PPC to prepare a master plan for the community. The Town of Star Valley Ranch, which was incorporated in 2005, desired to adopt a working master plan document that would guide future land use development within its existing boundaries, as well as take into consideration potential annexations.

For preparation of this master plan, PPC initially evaluated demographic, economic, and land use trends within and in the vicinity of Star Valley Ranch. Available information was supplemented with interviews of community and business leaders and adjoining landowners to identify community insights, attitudes and opportunities related to future community development. A forecast of resident population was also made for the next decade.

A land use inventory was conducted and incorporated into a new geographical information system (GIS) for the community. Other infrastructure, land use and natural resource data was added to the GIS to enable various analyses during the course of the project.

As the project continues, future land use expansion opportunities for residential, commercial, community and public facilities, and recreation will be evaluated in the context of land use suitability, planned infrastructure expansion, available community assets, planned land use development in areas adjacent to the town, and perceived community needs. These analyses will be used to prepare alternate land use patterns for the community and a preferred community land use plan map.

Ultimately, PPC will present a set of conclusions and related community development strategies that will address each community development issue and opportunity. The Star Valley Ranch Town Council and Planning and Zoning Commission will refine and prioritize the recommended community development strategies via a process that will be facilitated by PPC. Preliminary community development recommendations will be shared with community residents who will provide further comments via a public hearing, their review of the draft master plan report, and the related opportunity to provide written comments.