This is a zone change request from Residential 9,600 (R-96) to Residential 7,000 (R-70) on Lot 16, Block 6, Suncrest Acres Subdivision 2nd Filing, and Lot 16, Block 6, Suncrest Acres 5th Filing, an 11,600 square foot parcel of land. The existing parcel has a side-by-side duplex constructed prior to the current zoning and is a nonconforming use in the R-96 zoning district. The owner conducted a pre-application neighborhood meeting on November 27, 2011, at 1:00 pm at the Granary at 1500 Poly Drive. The Zoning Commission conducted a public hearing on January 3, 2012, and forwarded a recommendation of approval on a 3-0 vote. The City Council conducted a public hearing on January 23, 2012, and voted to approve the zone change on first reading.

State law at MCA 76-2-304 requires that all zone changes be reviewed in accordance with 12 criteria. Using the 12 criteria to determine the appropriateness of the zone change request, the City Council may:
1. Approve the zone change request
2. Deny the zone change request
3. Allow withdrawal of the application
4. Delay action for up to thirty (30) days

Approval of the zone change should not have a financial impact on the city's tax base. The zone change may stabilize the taxable and market value of the property and therefore stabilize the city's tax base.

The Zoning Commission is recommending approval and adoption of the 12 criteria for Zone Change #880 on a 3-0 vote.