Consent 1.P.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 04/09/2012
- TITLE
- Zone Change #854 - Text Amendment – Historic Preservation – 2nd reading
- PRESENTED BY:
- Candi Beaudry
- Department:
- Planning & Community Services
Presentation:
Information
PROBLEM/ISSUE STATEMENT
This is a zone change that will revise and update the existing regulations in Section 27-500 of the Billings, Montana City Code (BMCC). The City Zoning Commission initiated the amendment in January 2009 on a request by the Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board (YHPB). The proposed regulations will amend the language of the existing code to update terms, allow local designation of historic properties or districts, require a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior remodeling of properties on the local or National Register, and allow penalties for unauthorized demolition of properties within recognized historic districts. The proposed regulations have been drafted and reviewed by the YHPB and the City Attorney. The Zoning Commission conducted a public hearing on February 7, 2012, and is forwarding a recommendation of approval on 3-0 vote.
On February 27, 2012, the City Council heard this item as a first reading of the Ordinance and conducted a public hearing. During the public hearing, two members of the audience spoke about concerns of not being notified about this amendment to the zoning code. Planning staff sent notifications to all property owners within the two National Register Historic Districts. Those two districts are the Billings Townsite (Montana Avenue) and the Old Town (Minnesota Avenue) Districts. There are fifteen individually listed National Register properties within the City of Billings and outside of the two National Register Historic Districts and staff was directed by City Council to contact those property owners to discuss the Ordinance amendments. City Council voted to delay action on the Ordinance until the March 26, 2012 council meeting.
On March 26, 2012, the City Council conducted a public hearing to receive testimony on the proposed Ordinance amendment. Three members of the audience spoke during the public hearing in favor of the Ordinance. The council conducted the public hearing and passed the zone change on first reading.
On February 27, 2012, the City Council heard this item as a first reading of the Ordinance and conducted a public hearing. During the public hearing, two members of the audience spoke about concerns of not being notified about this amendment to the zoning code. Planning staff sent notifications to all property owners within the two National Register Historic Districts. Those two districts are the Billings Townsite (Montana Avenue) and the Old Town (Minnesota Avenue) Districts. There are fifteen individually listed National Register properties within the City of Billings and outside of the two National Register Historic Districts and staff was directed by City Council to contact those property owners to discuss the Ordinance amendments. City Council voted to delay action on the Ordinance until the March 26, 2012 council meeting.
On March 26, 2012, the City Council conducted a public hearing to receive testimony on the proposed Ordinance amendment. Three members of the audience spoke during the public hearing in favor of the Ordinance. The council conducted the public hearing and passed the zone change on first reading.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED
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
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
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There should be no fiscal impact from adoption of this amendment to the city zoning regulations.
RECOMMENDATION
The Zoning Commission is forwarding a recommendation of approval on a 3-0 vote.