Item 1:  County Zone Change 678 – 743 Calhoun Lane – A zone change request from Residential 9,600 (R-96) to Entryway General Commercial (EGC) on Tracts A1 and A2 of C/S 775, Amended, a 1.353 acre parcel of land. A pre-application meeting was held at the Hampton Inn, 5110 Southgate Drive, on October 30, 2016. Tax IDs: D01588 & D01588A. Presented by Nicole Cromwell, Zoning Coordinator.
 

Planning staff recommends approval and adoption of the findings of the 11 criteria for Zone Change 678.

OWNER: Charlie Siddle
AGENT: Michael Burke, HGFA Architects
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Parcel 1A & 2A, C/S 775 Amended
ADDRESS: 743 Calhoun Lane
CURRENT ZONING: R-96
EXISTING LAND USE: Single family residence and vacant land
PROPOSED USE: Future development
SIZE OF PARCEL: 45,302 square feet

None.

Subject property: None. This is the original zoning applied to this parcel in November 1973.

Surrounding property: Property to the south and west was changed from residential zoning to Entryway General Commercial (EGC) zoning during the past 20 years. In 1997, for property now occupied by Cabela's and Sam's Club, the zoning was changed from Residential 15,000 (R-150) to EGC, In 2008, the property directly adjacent to the south at 4513 King Avenue East was changed from R-96 to EGC. West across the street at 766 Calhoun Lane, the zoning was changed in 2011. The South Billings Boulevard Interchange Master Plan adopted by the City and County in 2012 applies to the current and future land uses of property in the area. This land was not included in that master plan.

NORTH:	Zoning: R-70 Land Use: Single family homes
SOUTH:	Zoning: EGC Land Use: Single family home
EAST:	Zoning: R-70 Land Use: Single family homes
WEST:	Zoning: EGC & R-70 Land Use: Single family homes

This is a zone change request to allow the current owner of the property to prepare an overall site development plan for this property and the adjoining 4.25 acre parcel to the south. Both properties are owned by the same owner. The parcel to the south was annexed and a zone change to EGC approved in 2008. Subsequently, a zone change from R-96 to EGC was approved for property at 766 Calhoun Lane. No parcels currently zoned for commercial or mixed uses north of King Ave East have developed since the new zoning was adopted in the past decade. The entryway/interchange zoning districts were first adopted into the County and City zoning codes in 1993 to encourage better site design, higher quality building materials, and enhanced landscaping requirements for property surrounding the interstate interchanges. Every interchange was not necessarily included in a re-zoning to the new entryway standards. In addition, adherence to development standards outside the City limits for entryway zoned areas is not uniform.

In 2012, the City and County completed a South Billings Boulevard Urban Renewal Master Plan for a large tax increment finance district (1,400 +acres). This property is within the "Optimist Park" study area. Potential uses for property at or near this location include a major neighborhood service center including retail or mixed uses. These more intense commercial uses are allowed within the proposed zoning district of EGC. In addition, the enhanced landscaping requirements and improved site development standards in comparison to "standard" commercial zones should benefit the neighborhood by screening and buffering new uses where necessary or desired. 

King Avenue East and Calhoun Lane have both been completely re-constructed. Calhoun Lane was completed in 2015 and its intersection with King Avenue East is fully signalized. The volume of traffic on King Avenue East has experienced dramatic increases since the completion of its re-construction. In 2014, average daily traffic increased to 14,200 vehicle trips per day and this increased the 3-year average daily traffic 41%. As street improvements are completed and businesses develop in the corridor, traffic will increase as well. 

The Planning staff is recommending approval of the proposed zoning based on the proposed findings of the 11 criteria. The adjacent zoning to the south and west is compatible with the proposed zoning. The property is owned in common with the 4.25 acre parcel to the south also zoned EGC. The development potential of the property has recently increased due to the completion of infrastructure improvements in the area and the resultant increases in traffic volume. The SBBURA Master Plan adopted in 2012 supports the proposed zoning by indicating this area should develop with a neighborhood service center or a mix of uses that serve the area residents. The adjacent zoning and development to the north and east is R-70 and is fully developed into City neighborhoods. Careful site design will be necessary to protect these adjacent neighbors while still providing multiple options for those residents to access the new businesses. The property is an under-utilized property surrounded by property already annexed to the City. It is likely this property will be annexed when a development plan for the owner's holdings is finalized. The proposed zoning will ensure predictable and compatible development of the property.
 

Planning staff recommends approval and adoption of the proposed findings of the 11 criteria for Zone Change 678.