by Evelyn Pyburn
In a 3-0 vote, Yellowstone County Commissioners denied a zone change application for property on Old Hardin Road, last Tuesday. The rejection was in keeping with a recommendation for denial from the County Zoning Commission.
The request was to change the zoning of 9.5 acres at 3404 Old Hardin Road from Residential 9600 to Residential Manufactured Homes. Owner of the property was listed as Lockwood Group, LLC.
Several area residents spoke, during the public hearing, to oppose the change citing issues of traffic congestion, the potential for increased crime and the lack of a sewer system as reasons.
Both sides of the debate pointed out that the zone change would be in keeping with the current use of the area for other mobile home parks. Josh Bauer of Houser Engineering, speaking on behalf of the owners, said that since it was in keeping with similar uses in the area, there isn’t much else the property could be used for.
Jack Sprague, also speaking on behalf of the owners, pointed out that a likely reason for the zone change request, is that under current zoning each unit built requires a foundation adding $10,000 to the cost of a home, but a foundation is not required under the requested zoning.
He also noted that most of the issues that neighbors had regarding development were not issues addressed in a zone change but would be addressed by the Department of Environmental Quality and transportation studies and other permitting processes during the development phase of the property.
Neighbors said that police and fire vehicles were constantly being called out to the trailer parks and they wanted no more of that. They also worried that the development would decrease their property values.
Under current zoning of R-96, 43 single-family homes would be allowed, and under the proposed zoning of RMH, 68 single-family homes would be allowed. The number of dwellings would be limited by the availability of water and waste water disposal. Bauer said that he was certain that DEQ would not allow more than 40 homes on the property, and would likely be much less. CLICK here to read more
