Lewis and Clark County Draft Part-2 County-Initiated Zoning Regulations for the Helena Valley Planning Area are available for public review and comment.

The regulations and map are found at www.lccountymt.gov/cdp/zoning.html

The Helena Valley Planning Area Zoning Regulations affect the majority of the Helena Valley. Proposed are several different zoning areas, which range from Urban to Rural. The proposed Urban area is close to the cities, while two separate Suburban areas will help transition between the Urban and Rural areas. The Rural area, which covers most of the planning area, is proposed to have lower development levels to help reduce the impacts of new growth, which the public identified as a major concern in the last update to the Growth Policy. 

The Consolidated City and County Planning Board on August 4 recommended approval of the 2020 Draft Part-2 County-Initiated Zoning map and regulations. The proposed zoning project will be heard by the Lewis and Clark Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 22, 2020. 

Due to COVID-19 and the need for physical distancing and other safety protocols, the public hearings will be at the Best Western Great Northern Hotel Conference Center beginning at 9 am on Sept. 22. The BoCC may decide to hold an additional hearing on Sept. 23, if needed. The public may also participate via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/5669454978 

Meeting agendas are posted at www.lccountymt.gov/cdp/zoning.html and people can also call the Planning office at 406-447-8374.

The public is encouraged to provide comments on the DRAFT Zoning Regulations and Map. Comments may be sent to the Planning Division Office at planning(at)lccountymt.gov or County Planning Division, Room 230, 316 N. Park Ave., Helena, MT 59623.

A comment form is available here: www.lccountymt.gov/cdp/zoning.html

Citizens were very involved in the 2015 Helena Valley Area Growth Policy, which focused on addressing Five Key Issues: Water, Wastewater, Roads, Fire Protection and Flooding. The Growth Policy created the vision for a new approach to growth management in the Valley. The proposed zoning is a tool needed to address the growth constraints and respond to them appropriately.