City Zone Change 966 – 21 N 15^th St – Kairos Center – A zone change request from EBURD- Industrial Sanctuary (EBURD-IS) to EBURD Central Works (EBURD-CW), on Lots 1 through 24 of Block 122; Lots 1 through 24 of Block 123, less a portion of Lot 19 of Block 123 deeded to the State of Montana, Billings Original Town, together with abandoned streets and alleys, a 5.64 acre parcel of land generally located between N 13^th St and N 15^th St on the south side of 1^st Avenue North. Presented by Nicole Cromwell, Zoning Coordinator

Planning staff recommends approval based on the findings of the 10 criteria for Zone Change 966.

OWNER: Kairos Center LLC
AGENT: Martin Connell, Managing Member
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lots 1 through 24 of Block 122; Lots 1 through 24 of Block 123, less a portion of Lot 19 of Block 123 deeded to the State of Montana, Billings Original Town, together with abandoned streets and alleys
ADDRESS: 21 N 15th Street
CURRENT ZONING: EBURD Industrial Sanctuary (EBURD-IS)
EXISTING LAND USE: Offices, shops, warehouse, manufacturing & storage
PROPOSED USE: Same with residential/office condominiums
SIZE OF PARCEL: 5.64 acres

None.

SUBJECT PROPERTY	Zone Change Special Review	DATE	FOR	APPROVED (Y/N)	ADDITIONAL DATA
21 N 15th Street	ZC 901	Sept 10, 2012	From HI to EBURD-IS	Yes	EBURD districts adopted
SURROUNDING PROPERTY	Zone Change Special Review	DATE	FOR	APPROVED (Y/N)	ADDITIONAL DATA
1140 1st Ave N	Annexation	June 27, 1983	Zoned HC at annexation	Yes
1002 1st Ave N	SR 170	Nov 28, 1983	All Beverage with gaming	Yes	“Stock Exchange”
1004 1st Ave N	Annexation	August 28, 1989	Zoned CI at annexation	Yes
1002 thru 1200 1st Ave N	ZC 901	Sept. 10, 2012	From HI & CI to EBURD-IS	Yes	EBURD districts adopted
123 N 16th Street	SR 657	April 26, 1999	Allow powder coating business in CI	Yes
123 N 18th Street	SR 196	Nov 5, 1984	Allow gas/convenience store & car wash	Yes
1709 1st Ave N	SR 448	Nov 25, 1991	All Beverage with gaming	Yes	Lewis & Clark Inn
2224 Minnesota Ave	SR 872	Jan 27, 2009	Sandblasting	Yes
920 2nd Ave N	SR 886	Oct 25, 2010	60’ Wireless Tower	Yes	Verizon
1123 1st Ave N	SR 575	March 18, 1996	All Beverage with gaming	Yes	The Loft & Wild Willy’s Casino

NORTH:	Zoning: EBURD-Central Works(CW) and EBURD-13th St Main Street (13MS)  Land Use: Alpha Overhead Door, Lazy K-T Motel, Rimrock Foundation, Automatic Transmission Company
SOUTH:	Zoning: EBURD-Industrial Sanctuary(IS) and Controlled Industrial (CI) Land Use: Warehouse
EAST:	Zoning: EBURD-IS and Heavy Industrial (HI) Land Use: Billings Auto Auction Lot
WEST:	Zoning: EBURD-CW Land Use: O'Reilly Auto Parts

This is a zone change request from the EBURD-Industrial Sanctuary (EBURD-IS) zone to the EBURD-Central Works (EBURD-CW) zone to allow the Kairos Center property to continue its re-development plan. The current zone does not allow residential dwellings by right, only employee or caretaker units in the former Pierce Packing Plant, now known as the Kairos Center. In addition, the EBURD-IS zone does not allow retail uses. The re-development plan for this building now includes residential apartments and some retail uses.

This property was formerly zoned Heavy Industrial (HI) prior to the formation of the East Billings Urban Renewal District, adoption of the (EBURD) Master Plan, and implementation of the new form-based zoning districts. The Master Plan was started in 2006 and adopted in 2009 along with the Urban Renewal District. In 2009 and 2010, efforts got underway to develop a form-based zoning code for this 400+ acre area east of downtown and west of MetraPark. Based on the Master Plan and guided by an 8-member Steering Committee, the zoning districts were created and the boundaries determined in 2012. The subject property was placed in the EBURD-IS district primarily due to its historical use as a meat packing plant and it intended uses at the time.

The property is adjacent to the EBURD-CW zone to the north and west. It is not dissimilar to these adjacent uses except in building scale and property area. This single property covers over 5.5 acres of land where most surrounding parcels are 1/2 acre to 2 acres in area. The property is located along 1st Ave North, a principal arterial street that carries between 10,000 and 16,000 vehicle trips per day. North 13th Street is a major signalized intersection that anchors the northeast corner of the property. North 13th Street carries over 10,000 vehicle trips per day.

The Kairos Center property is the former Pierce Packing Plant that served the livestock industry throughout the economic region of central and eastern Montana, northern Wyoming and even into the Dakotas. The meat packing plant closed in 1984 after a series of economic and operational challenges. At the time, the plant employed more than 500 people. Marty Connell and the Kairos corporation purchased the property at a Sheriff's Auction in 2000. The current owners have made incremental changes, updates and renovations to the building over the past 18 years. The intent is to finish the renovations and get the building fully occupied as soon as possible. The idea of allowing residential apartments is a new use for the existing building.
 

Planning staff has reviewed the application and the 10 criteria as required by BMCC 27-1502 for zone changes within the city limits. Based on the proposed findings, staff is recommending approval of this zone change. The proposed zone change is compatible with the area land uses, conforms to the adopted master plan goals for the EBURD and the 2016 City of Billings' Growth Policy. The zone change will allow this property to finalize its re-development plan by adding residential uses and retail uses to an existing building.