The Lewis and Clark County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) on November 19 approved resolutions enacting Part-2 Helena Valley Planning Area Zoning Regulations. It also established a Zoning Advisory Panel, called the HVPA Zoning Blue Ribbon Panel, to investigate and assist with recommendations for several aspects of the new regulations.
The BoCC is now seeking applicants for the 12-member panel. Candidates have until December 14 to submit an application. The appointment will be for approximately 12 months, with dissolution to occur by January 15, 2022, unless the BoCC approves an extension.
The panel will be 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 temporarily deferred 10-acre minimum lot size/density parameters for the Rural Residential Mixed-Use Zone District.
The panel will be comprised of representatives from each of the following categories for the 12 voting member positions:
- 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 and Part-2 zoned areas
- County Appointed Official from the City-County Consolidated Planning Board
The panel member selection process will follow the BoCC’s current process for solicitation and appointment of members to other Boards and Committees.
The application for the voting member categories should be submitted to: APPOINTMENTS, Board of County Commissioners, Lewis & Clark County, 316 N. Park Ave., Rm. 345, Helena, MT 59623, or e-mail bocc@lccountymt.gov
Applications must be received by 4:30 pm on December 14, 2020. The BoCC will consider the applications and appoint the 12 voting members at the December 22, 2020, regular Commission meeting.
An additional four non-voting members of the Lewis and Clark County Planning Department will be selected to serve on the panel, as well as a non-voting moderator. Other members (both internal and external to the County) could be seated on a non-voting, ad hoc basis as specific issues arise.
The BoCC also approved up to $100,000 to support the panel. The money can be used to compensate the moderator, as well as seek professional assistance for targeted studies (such as Urban Infrastructure, Water and Roads analyses) as needed by the panel and authorized by the BoCC.
For more information regarding the panel or submitting an application, please visit here or contact the Planning Department at 406-447-8374 or planning@lccountymt.gov.
