Council approves new development regs

City councilmembers unanimously took the last step this week to approve new subdivision regulations.

The regulations were written to ensure the city is in compliance with the Montana Land Use Planning Act, according to a staff report to the council.

"The State of Montana Enacted the Montana Land Use Planning Act in 2023 responding to housing shortages by requiring updates to land use (zoning) regulations and Subdivision Regulations that support and encourage more density and mixed-use development," the report reads. "The action introduced a new statewide planning framework designed to streamline land-use decision-making, prioritize public participation, and align local land-use goals with future population and housing needs."

Councilmembers voted unanimously Monday to approve an ordinance establishing the new regulations.

The regulations give city staff the authority to approve preliminary plat applications without needing to get council’s approval. A preliminary plat is defined in the regulations as “a neat and scaled drawing of a proposed subdivision showing the layout of streets, alleys, lots, blocks, and other elements of a subdivision which furnishes a basis for review by the governing body.”

The old regulations give the city council the authority to approve preliminary plat applications. But the Montana Land Use Planning Act requires governing bodies to cede that power to city staff.

The new regulations are someone of a template advised by the Montana League of Cities and Towns and other entities, according to City Manager Neil Cardwell.

“We will be bringing forward, in the coming weeks, modifications to make this even more specific to the needs of our community," Cardwell told councilmembers during Monday's meeting. “There’s some nuances that staff are still going through, and so as we discussed... There will be a second round of this to make this more specific to Belgrade in the future. But this was a very good starting point to allow us to be compliant with the law. And we’re grateful for the council's support in getting us to this place, so thank you.”

The ordinance and new regulations will be effective 30 days from Monday.

Prior coverage can be found at https://tinyurl.com/5778r87t.