This is a zone change that will amend several sections of the Billings, Montana City Code (BMCC) regarding definitions for community residential facilities and regulating where correctional facilities – public and private – may or may not be located. The proposed amendments to definitions will update the regulations to mirror the state law definitions for community residential facilities and eliminate a conflicting definition of rehabilitation centers, a definition that dates to 1972. The amendments to Sections 27-305 and 27-306 will change where public and private correctional facilities may be located. Council Member Ulledalen initiated this amendment on April 9, 2007, and the Council approved the initiative. The Zoning Commission conducted a public hearing on March 6, 2012, and is forwarding a recommendation of approval on 4-0 to vote. The City Council conducted a public hearing on March 26, 2012, and approved the text amendment on 1st reading.

The City Council may:
1. Approve the zone change
2. Deny the zone change
3. Allow withdrawal of the zone change
4. Delay action for up to thirty (30) days

There should not be any financial impact to the City from this zone change to the text of the regulations.

The Zoning Commission recommends approval of Zone Change #884 on a 4-0 vote.