Item #5 - Motion/Recommendation to City Council.  City Zone Change #943 – Southeast intersection of Bench Boulevard and Barrett Road, Nicole Cromwell  – A zone change request from Residential 7000 (R-70) to Public, on S14, T1 N, R26 E, E2 NWSW Less COS 931, a 16.2 acre parcel of land. This application is for the new Middle School for Billings School District #2.  The applicant conducted a pre-application neighborhood meeting on September 28, 2015 at Bitterroot Elementary School, 1801 Bench Boulevard. Tax ID: C05144A and C05144B.  There is a concurrent application for annexation of this property that is to be heard by the City Council on November 9.
 

The Planning Division recommends approval and adoption of the findings of the 10 criteria for Zone Change 943.

OWNER: School District #2
AGENTS: Terry Bouck, Superintendent, and Pat Davies, P.E., Sanderson Stewart
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: E 1/2 NWSW of Section 14, Township 1 North, Range 26 East
ADDRESS: 900 Barrett Road
CURRENT ZONING: R-70
EXISTING LAND USE: Under construction for new Middle School and recreational facilities
PROPOSED USE: New Middle School and recreational facilities with Public zoning
SIZE OF PARCEL: 16.2 acres

Concurrent application of annexation.

Subject Property - None.

Surrounding Property - The City and County have adopted several zone changes in the area since 1985, including a Planned Development zone for Walmart, and several other commercial zoning changes for property near Wicks Lane and Bench Boulevard. The R-70 zoning in the area has remained stable in the immediate neighborhood and this was ratified by the 2006 Heights Neighborhood Plan adopted by the City and County.

NORTH:	Zoning: R-70 Land Use: Single family homes
SOUTH:	Zoning: R-70 Land Use: Single family homes
EAST:	Zoning: R-70 Land Use: Kiwanis Trail, Holling Drain
WEST:	Zoning: R-70 Land Use: New Middle School

The applicant has submitted this zone change and concurrent annexation for the east half of the property where the new Medicine Crow Middle School is under construction. The athletic fields, some mechanical equipment, parking, and recreational area for the school will be located on the subject property. The property where the middle school is under construction is already annexed and zoned Public. The annexation and zone change will complete the project so the entire property is within the city limits and has consistent zoning. The proposed Public zone is compatible and appropriate for existing and proposed uses of the land and is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.

Bench Boulevard is a principal arterial street and Barrett Road is a collector street. The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and the City of Billings will be re-constructing the section of Bench Boulevard north of Hilltop Road in the next 2 years. The design phase is nearing completion. Average daily traffic on this section of Bench is about 5,500 vehicle trips per day. In comparison, Barrett Road only carries about 600 vehicles per day. Barrett Road is partly in the County and partly in the City for most of its extent from Bench Boulevard east to Walter Road. The portion in front of the subject property is under re-construction to bring it to city standards for pavement, curbs, gutters and sidewalks. It is expected additional traffic will use this portion of the street once the school is completed.

The subject property is located in a well-established area of Billings Heights with adjacent stable neighborhoods. Additional residential subdivisions are building to the east and north that will add student population to the new middle school. The proposed zoning is identical to the current zoning of the school property already annexed to the city. The proposed zoning is compatible with the adjacent neighborhood and is expected to be fully developed during the next 12 months.

 

The Planning Division recommends approval and adoption of the findings of the 10 criteria for Zone Change 943.