The Yellowstone County Board of County Commissioners is working with property owners in Lockwood and Big Sky Economic Development to establish a Targeted Economic Development District (TEDD) in the northeast area of Lockwood. The process has involved development of a TEDD study area, determining a specific boundary for the TEDD as per the participation of property owners that petitioned to be included, expansion of the Unified Zoning Jurisdiction Boundary to include the TEDD area, and zoning of the properties added to the zoning jurisdiction within the TEDD.

The final step in the process is for a Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) and Ordinance to be approved and adopted by the Board of County Commissioners. As part of that process, the Yellowstone County Board of Planning will conduct a public hearing on the CDP and make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners that the CDP is in compliance with the 2016 Lockwood Growth Policy and the 2008 Yellowstone County and City of Billings Growth Policy. The Planning Board reviewed the CDP at its meeting on October 12 and is scheduled to conduct a public hearing and take action at this meeting. 

The Yellowstone County Board of County Commissioners is working with property owners in Lockwood and Big Sky Economic Development to establish a Targeted Economic Development District (TEDD) in the northeast area of Lockwood. The process has involved development of a TEDD study area, determining a specific boundary for the TEDD as per the participation of property owners that petitioned to be included, expansion of the Unified Zoning Jurisdiction Boundary to include the TEDD area, and zoning of the properties added to the zoning jurisdiction within the TEDD.

The final step in the process is for a Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) and Ordinance to be approved and adopted by the Board of County Commissioners. As part of that process, the Yellowstone County Board of Planning will conduct a public hearing on the CDP and make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners that the CDP is in compliance with the 2016 Lockwood Growth Policy and the 2008 Yellowstone County and City of Billings Growth Policy. 

The Board must review the applicable growth policies and determine they support the CDP for creation of the TEDD for the following reasons:

• Existing conditions and future trends address economic well-being
• Goals and objectives support the development of secondary value-adding industries
• Tax Increment Financing is identified as an implementation strategy, and
• Land use maps support zoning designations.

The 2016 Lockwood Growth Policy supports the CDP for creation of the TEDD in the following areas:

Chapter 2, Page 4, Lockwood Growth Guidelines references that "A Targeted Economic Development Districts may be used to foster secondary, value adding economic development." The Guidelines also state, "Commercial retail and services may be considered appropriate in areas designated for industrial land uses along principal and minor arterials in addition to areas designated  for commercial land uses."  

Chapter 6, Implementation Tools and Strategies references many past studies of Lockwood and the 2008 Yellowstone County and City of Billings Growth Policy referenced below that all support and encourage further economic and infrastructure development in Lockwood to make it a more prosperous, safe and attractive community for residence and businesses. Further, the CDP itself on page 13 references the goals of the Lockwood TEDD that mirror some of the same goals of the applicable growth policies, including fostering economic and employment opportunities within Yellowstone County and Lockwood; a planned industrial area in Lockwood that attracts industry and leads to additional private investment; implementing a development plan that supports and encourages commercial and industrial growth while supporting non-motorized transportation and safety.

The existing 2008 Yellowstone County and City of Billings Growth Policy supports the CDP and creation of the TEDD in the following areas:

• Chapter 4.1 Land Use, page 37 references the Lockwood Community Plan that outlines the preferred land uses for industrial purposes in Lockwood:  Lockwood Community Plan, Community Background section, page 6: “Lockwood’s location as the eastern gateway to the City of Billings, its significant commercial and industrial business presence and its community-oriented residence make the community a place where continued growth and change is expected to occur. The Lockwood Community Plan and its specific Community Focus Areas and Action Steps will help Lockwood prepare for its future and continue to foster its individuality and community atmosphere.”
• Chapter 3 Community Goals and Objectives, Economic Development Element, page 7, Goal 1: “Coordinated economic development efforts that target business recruitment, retention, and expansion” and Goal 7: “Preserve and sustain the rural community centers throughout the County.”
• Chapter 5.1 Implementation Tools and Strategies, page 202, lists Urban Renewal Districts and tax increment funds as a tool to redevelop and rehabilitate “blighted” areas.  The Targeted Economic Development District had not been authorized at the time the 2008 Growth Policy was adopted, but is now part of the Urban Renewal Law that is cited in this section.

There is no direct financial impact for the Planning Board to recommend approval of the Comprehensive Development Plan to the Board of County Commissioners. However, if the TEDD is created, it is expected to support new commercial and industrial investment and development in Lockwood which will add to the County tax base and may increase revenues to the service districts in Lockwood.

Staff recommends that the Planning Board conduct the public hearing, determine that the 2016 Lockwood Growth Policy and the 2008 Yellowstone County and City of Billings Growth Policy support the Comprehensive Development Plan for the Lockwood TEDD, and recommend approval of the CDP to the Yellowstone County Board of County Commissioners.