Community Development and Planning
Zoning Advisory Panel
Community Development and Planning Contact Information
Community Development and Planning Department
Room 230, City/County Building
316 N. Park Ave., Helena, MT 59623
Department Phone: (406) 447-8374
Department Email: Email
Hours: 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Monday-Friday
Zoning Advisory Panel: About
On November 19, 2020, the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) established the HVPA Blue-Ribbon Panel (to be known as the "Zoning Advisory Panel") to investigate and assist with recommendations for several specific aspects of the Helena Valley Planning Area zoning regulations.
ZAP Resolution of Formation and By-Laws ORIGINAL and RE-ADOPTED, EXTENDED, and EXTENDED a second time
The panel was tasked with providing recommendations on regulations for the approved Urban and Suburban Residential Mixed-Use Zone Districts, as well as options or alternative approaches to the approved and temporarily deferred 10-acre minimum lot size/density parameters for the Rural Residential Mixed-Use Zone District.
The panel was comprised of 12 voting members, representing a cross-section of interests specific to the recently approved Zoning for the Helena Valley Planning Area:
- Real Estate
- Builders/Developers
- Fire Services, with background in both wildland and non-wildland issues
- Helena Valley Flood Committee representing flooding concerns
- Affordable Housing
- Banking and Finance
- Conservation Land Trusts
- Citizens of the Helena Valley Planning Area, including from existing Part-1 zoned areas and from a Part-2 zoned area
- County Appointed Official from the City-County Consolidated Planning Board
An additional four staff from the Community Development and Planning Department were seated as non-voting members. Other non-voting members could be seated on an ad-hoc basis (both from within and external to the County staff) as specific issues arise. A non-voting moderator was also selected to serve on the Panel.
The panel operated until February 25, 2022.
Specific to the Rural Residential Mixed-Use Zone District, during their deliberations on October 6, 2020, the BoCC stated their commitment and support for using minimum lot sizes/density restrictions in the Rural Growth Area of the HVPA. In doing so, they acknowledged that the proposed 10-acre minimum lot size/density (across the Rural Growth Area) would be an effective tool to address the concerns raised in the 2015 Growth Policy update specific to the rural key issues (Water, Roads, and Fire). However, the BoCC also acknowledged that some of the public expressed an interest in working on potential alternatives to the approved homogeneous 10-acre minimum lot size/density across the Rural area. As such, while the BoCC approved the 10-acre minimum lot size/density restriction, they also chose to temporarily defer the implementation of specific portions of the Rural Residential Mixed-Use Zone District. The delayed effective date of approved Sections 706, 707, and 708, acknowledged the BoCC's desire to work closely with community partners to seek options, and improve upon the appropriately written zoning regulations as the BoCC affirmed with the Resolution of Creation 2020-97.
The delayed implementation date for the aforementioned approved Sections was June 1, 2022. The date allowed for a targeted discussion (approximately a year) of options; and also respected the concerns of the greater general public whom have long supported zoning in the HVPA and their attendant commitment for sound planning measures vis a vis their work on the 2015 Growth Policy update. Further, the proposed timeframe allowed appropriate requisite process time to move through the Planning Board and County Commission process.
Zoning Advisory Panel: Meeting Materials
Meeting Materials to distribute to Panel Members for Friday, February 25, 2022 Meeting:
- See all materials included under "Meeting Materials to distribute to Panel Members for February 9, 2022 Meeting"
- Linked here are all the approved meeting minutes that can be found on this page. The Zoning Advisory Panel will be reconsidering all previously approved meeting minutes and the Draft February 9, 2022 meeting minutes but will take public comment before doing so. Approved January 27, 2021 Meeting Minutes; Approved February 10, 2021 Meeting Minutes; Approved February 24, 2021 Meeting Minutes; Approved March 10, 2021 Meeting Minutes; Approved March 24, 2021 Meeting Minutes; Approved April 14, 2021 Meeting Minutes; Approved April 28, 2021 Meeting Minutes; Approved May 12, 2021 Meeting Minutes; Approved May 26, 2021 Meeting Minutes; Approved June 9, 2021 Meeting Minutes; Approved June 23, 2021 Meeting Minutes; Approved July 14, 2021 Meeting Minutes; Approved July 28, 2021 Meeting Minutes; Approved August 11, 2021 Meeting Minutes; Approved August 25, 2021 Meeting Minutes; Approved September 8, 2021 Meeting Minutes; Approved September 22, 2021 Meeting Minutes; Approved October 13, 2021 Meeting Minutes; Approved October 27 Meeting Minutes; Approved November 10, 2021 Meeting Minutes; Approved December 8, 2021 Meeting Minutes; Approved December 22, 2021 Meeting Minutes; Approved January 12, 2022 Meeting Minutes; and Approved January 26, 2022 Meeting Minutes.
- DRAFT February 9, 2022 Meeting Minutes
- Public Comment received from John Herrin, 2/22/22
- DRAFT Memo to the Lewis and Clark County Board of County Commission prepared by Panel Member Lois Steinbeck for the 'After Action' portion of the February 25, 2022 agenda.
- Public Comment received from Andrew Thomas, 2/23/22
- Public Comment received from Dale Paulson, 2/23/22
Meeting Materials to distribute to Panel Members for February 9, 2022 Meeting:
- ZAP Panel Member Tyler Emmert Submission No. 1
- ZAP Panel Member Tyler Emmert Submission No. 2
- See Also September 22 Materials below for a previous Submission from Tyler Emmert
- DRAFT January 26, 2022 Meeting Minutes
- Jamboard Responses (Urban Residential Mixed Use District) Last updated 2/4/22
- Jamboard Responses (Rural Residential Mixed Use District) Last updated 2/4/22
- Jamboard Responses (Suburban Residential Mixed Use District) Last updated 2/4/22
- Greater Helena Area Transportation Plan Excerpt: PASER Road Analysis
- Public Comment received after January 21, 2022 (noon)
- Comment from Dale Paulson, 2/7/22
- ZAP Panel Member Lois Steinbeck Submission: Hydrograph link No. 1
- ZAP Panel Member Lois Steinbeck Submission: Hydrograph link No. 2
- DRAFT (2-7-22) Urban Residential Mixed Use District
- DRAFT (2-7-22) Suburban Residential Mixed Use District
- DRAFT (2-7-22) Rural Residential Mixed Use District
- DRAFT (2-7-22) Planned Development Overlay District
Meeting Materials to distribute to Panel Members for January 26, 2022 Meeting:
- DRAFT December 22, 2021 Meeting Minutes
- DRAFT January 12, 2022 Meeting Minutes
- DRAFT (1-25-22) Suburban Residential Mixed Use District
- Public Comment received between January 7, 2022 (noon) and January 21, 2022 (noon)
Meeting Materials to distribute to Panel Members for January 12, 2022 Meeting:
- DRAFT November 10, 2021 Meeting Minutes
- DRAFT December 8, 2021 Meeting Minutes
- DRAFT (1-10-22) Rural Residential Mixed Use District
- DRAFT (1-10-22) Planned Development Overlay District
- Public Comment received between December 17, 2021 (noon) and January 7, 2022 (noon)
Meeting Materials to distribute to Panel Members for December 22, 2021 Meeting:
- DRAFT (12-8-21) Urban Residential Mixed Use District Regulations (with Comments from ZAP members included).
- DRAFT (12-20-21) Urban Residential Mixed Use District Regulations
- DRAFT October 27, 2021 Meeting Minutes
- Public Comment received between December 3, 2021 (noon) and December 17, 2021 (noon)
- Public Comment Submitted at the December 8, 2021 meeting:
- Letter to Zoning Advisory Panel from the Board of County Commissioners, dated 12/16/2021
Meeting Materials to distribute to Panel Members for December 8, 2021 meeting:
- DRAFT October 13, 2021 Meeting Minutes
- DRAFT (12-3-21) Urban Residential Mixed Use District Regulations
- Public Comment received between November 5, 2021 (noon) and December 3, 2021 (noon)
- Public Comment Submitted at the November 10, 2021 meeting.
Meeting Materials to distribute to Panel Members for November 10, 2021 meeting:
- DRAFT September 22, 2021 Meeting Minutes
- Sample R1/R2 Residential District and Commercial (B2) district for the Urban Residential Mixed Use District
- Form-Based Codes: An Introduction to the Basics YouTube video prepared by the Montana Department of Commerce
- Public Comment received between October 22, 2021 (noon) and November 5, 2021 (noon) (NONE SUBMITTED with the exception of Written Comments provided at the October 27, 2021 Meeting linked under the meeting materials for October 27, 2021.)
Meeting Materials to distribute to Panel Members for October 27, 2021 meeting:
- DRAFT August 25, 2021 Meeting Minutes
- DRAFT September 8, 2021 Meeting Minutes
- DRAFT One: Urban Residential Mixed Use District
- Public Comment received between October 8, 2021 (noon) and October 22, 2021 (noon)
- Public Comment Submitted in Writing at October 27, 2021 Meeting
Meeting Materials to distribute to Panel Members for October 13, 2021 meeting:
- PowerPoint Presentation on Vested Rights and Non-Conformity in the Zoning Regulations (Same as posted for 9/22/2021, Continued from 9/22/2021)
- Public Comment received between September 17, 2021 (noon) and October 8, 2021 (noon)
Meeting Materials to distribute to Panel Members for September 22, 2021 meeting:
- PowerPoint Presentation on Vested Rights and Non-Conformity in the Zoning Regulations
- Public Comment received between September 3, 2021 (noon) and September 17, 2021 (noon)
- Combined STEEP Priorities (distributed during the ZAP meeting)
- ZAP PANEL MEMBER Tyler Emmert Submission of a Urban Residential Zoning Draft
Meeting Materials to distribute to Panel Members for September 8, 2021 meeting:
- DRAFT August 11, 2021 Meeting Minutes
- Pollunit Results (Economic, Social, Political)
- Moderator Combined STEEP Priorities
- Public Comment received between August 20, 2021 (noon) and September 3, 2021 (noon)
Meeting Materials to distribute to Panel Members for August 25, 2021 meeting:
- DRAFT July 28, 2021 Meeting Minutes
- Social Jamboard
- Political Jamboard
- Pollunit Results (Economic)
- Public Comment received between August 6, 2021 (noon) and August 20, 2021 (noon)
Meeting Materials to distribute to Panel Members for August 11, 2021 meeting:
- Economic Jamboard
- Pollunit Results (Technical and Environmental)
- Letter provided by Panel Member, Archie Harper, regarding open space/parks
- Public Comment received between July 23, 2021 (noon) and August 6, 2021 (noon)
Meeting Materials to distribute to Panel Members for July 28, 2021 meeting:
- DRAFT June 23, 2021 Meeting Minutes
- DRAFT July 14, 2021 Meeting Minutes
- Environmental Jamboard (July 23, 2021)
- Technical Jamboard (July 23, 2021)
- Public Comment received between July 9, 2021 (noon) and July 23, 2021 (noon)
Meeting Materials distribute to Panel Members for July 14, 2021 meeting:
- DRAFT May 26, 2021 Meeting Minutes
- DRAFT June 9, 2021 Meeting Minutes
- Public Comment received between June 18, 2021 (noon) and July 9, 2021 (noon)
Meeting Materials distributed to Panel Members for June 23, 2021 meeting:
- DRAFT May 12, 2021 Meeting Minutes
- Public Comment received between June 4, 2021 (noon) and June 18, 2021 (noon)
Meeting Materials distributed to Panel Members for June 9, 2021 meeting:
- Link to the County's information Webpage on Septic Systems
- Public Comment received between May 21, 2021 (noon) and June 3, 2021 (noon)
Meeting Materials distributed to Panel Members for May 26, 2021 meeting:
- DRAFT April 28, 2021 Meeting Minutes
- ZAP Floodplain Presentation Primer
- Link to the County's information Webpage on flooding
- Public Comment received between May 7, 2021 (noon) and May 21, 2021 (noon)
- DRAFT County Road Operations Budget (Provided by County Public Works Director, Eric Griffin after May 12, 2021 ZAP meeting)
Meeting Materials distributed to Panel Members for May 12, 2021 meeting:
- DRAFT April 14, 2021 Meeting Minutes
- Greater Helena Area Transportation Plan
- Lewis and Clark County Public Works Manual
- Public Comment received between April 23, 2021 (noon) and May 7, 2021 (noon)
Meeting Materials distributed to Panel Members for April 28, 2021 meeting:
- Tri-County Regional Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) from Tri-County FireSafe Working Group (tcfswg.org)
- Map of Fire Districts and Fire Service Areas in Lewis and Clark County
- Tri-County FireSafe Working Group Recommended Denver Post article/video *Link will take reader to the Denver Post Website
- Public Comment received between April 9, 2021 (noon) and April 23, 2021 (noon)
Meeting Materials distributed to Panel Members for April 14, 2021 meeting:
- DRAFT March 10, 2021 Meeting Minutes
- DRAFT March 24, 2021 Meeting Minutes
- City of East Helena 2014 Growth Policy *Link will take reader to City of East Helena Website: https://easthelenamt.us/EH.Growth.Policy.2014.pdf
City of East Helena February 2021 DRAFT Growth Policy *Link will take reader to City of East Helena Website:
https://easthelenamt.us/PDF/CityOfEastHelena_Feb2021_Draft_GrowthPolicyUpdate.pdf
- Public Comment received between March 20, 2021 and April 9, 2021 (noon)
Meeting Materials distributed to Panel Members for March 24, 2021 meeting:
Meeting Materials distributed to Panel Members for March 10, 2021 meeting:
Meeting Materials distributed to Panel Members for February 24, 2021 meeting:
- DRAFT February 10, 2021 Meeting Minutes
- Zoning Advisory Panel Ground Rules
- City of Helena Growth Policy *Link will take reader to City of Helena Website: https://www.helenamt.gov/government/departments/community-development/planning/long-range-planning
- City of East Helena Growth Policy
Meeting Materials distributed to Panel Members for February 10, 2021 meeting:
- Approved January 27, 2021 Meeting Minutes;
- Presentation made during the meeting regarding State and Local Land Use Codes and Regulations; and
- Presentation made during the meeting regarding 2015 Growth Policy Update, Helena Valley Area Plan;
- Noted Resource for Land Use information and education: Montana Department of Commerce, Community Development Division: Community Technical Assistance Program *Link will take reader to a State of Montana Website: https://comdev.mt.gov/Programs/CTAP
Meeting Materials distributed to Panel Members for January 27, 2021 meeting:
- Memorandum from Peter Italiano, Director of Community Development and Planning;
- ZAP Resolution of Formation and By-Laws ORIGINAL and RE-ADOPTED;
- Growth Policy - 2015 Update for the Helena Valley Planning Area (HVPA) - Volumes 1 and 2;
- Montana Code Annotated (MCA) (2019) - Land-use and planning related statutes;
- Sections 7, 8, and 9 of the recently approved Zoning Regulations for the HVPA; and
- Membership Roster.