City Zone Change 958 – Skyline Court –  7th Ave and N 25th Street - A zone change from Planned Development (PD) and Residential Multi-family (RMF) to Residential Professional (RP) on Lot 4-12 and 17-21 of Block 59, Foster’s Addition and Billings Original Town Block 269 Lots 4-11, a 1.12 acre parcel of land. A pre-application neighborhood meeting was held at the Billings Public Library on May 30, 2017.  Presented by Dave Green, Planner II

The Planning staff recommends approval and adoption of the proposed findings of the 10 criteria for Zone Change 958.

OWNER: Campos/Dorn LLC
AGENT: Sanderson Stewart
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lot 4-12 and 17-21 of Block 59, Foster’s Addition and Billings Original Town Block 269 Lots 4-11
ADDRESS: SW corner of 7th Avenue West and North 25th Street
CURRENT ZONING: Planned Development (PD) and Residential Multi-family (RMF)
EXISTING LAND USE: Vacant with Some Multi Family
PROPOSED USE: Medical building
SIZE OF PARCEL: 1.12 acres

None.

Subject Property - The PD currently on the property was approved on July 9, 2007.

Surrounding Property - The City has reviewed many zone changes in this subdivision since the adoption of zoning in 1972. There have been multiple zoned changes, variances and special reviews for both Foster Addition and Billings First Addition.  They have ranged the entire spectrum of possible requests since both subdivisions are among the older subdivisions in Billings and have a great mix of uses in them. 

NORTH:	Zoning: Residential Multi-Family (RMF) Land Use: Residential House
SOUTH:	Zoning: Neighborhood Commercial (NC) Land Use: Speedy Wash Laundromat
EAST:	Zoning: RMF Land Use: Single Family and Multi-Family housing
WEST:	Zoning: Public: PD and Community Commercial Land Use: Condominiums and Albertsons

↵This is a zone change request to allow a use on land that has stood mostly vacant for quite a few years.  The lots were originally zoned residential. In 2007, a PD was created that is currently in place.  Although there has been some construction of multi family within the PD, the entire property has not developed as originally planned. Recently, the land has been vacant land with no new development that has on occasion attracted unwanted activity to the area.  The current zoning of the PD would allow Residential Multi Family only. The proposed zoning, Residential Professional, would allow the construction of professional offices and medical clinics that would be along a major corridor in Billings and similar to what is along the corridor now. The proposed zone change is only on a portion of the area that was originally zoned PD so that the existing multi-family development will remain in compliance with the zoning regulations.  

The Planning staff has reviewed the request and is recommending approval based on the proposed findings of the 10 criteria for zone changes. The zoning would make the proposed land more developable as a professional office or clinic development along a main corridor through Billings.  The proposed zoning will stabilize the property value, allow for future investment in maintenance without risk to the property owners, and provides a needed choices in Billings. The proposal also is supported by the City's Infill Policy and 2016 Growth Policy. The guidelines for Essential Investments, Prosperity and Strong Neighborhoods in the 2016 Growth Policy include: Public right of way will be landscaped to be more visually appealing, infrastructure already in place, professional areas that encourage more pedestrian activity, provide local jobs, safe and attractive neighborhoods that also provide essential services.  The proposed zone change is supported by these guidelines. The proposed zoning would allow the property to be re-developed into Residential Professional and redevelop an underutilized area in Billings. 

Staff recommends approval and adoption of the findings of the 10 criteria for Zone Change 958.