There is a Public Hearing event scheduled for November 12, 2020 via Zoom. 

This hearing will review revisions to the Cascade County Zoning Regulations, revisions that could very well effect the Madison Food Park Slaughterhouse and the future of our region. We suggest citizens of Cascade County consider attending the hearing or submit a public comment voicing your concerns.

The following is a statement from our partners Montanans For Responsible Land Use:

Hello Friends and Neighbors,
​
There is a public hearing for the Revised Zoning Regulations on Thursday, November 12 at
5:30 pm via zoom. As you recall we began writing comments about the Revised Zoning
Regulations in February 2019. On a vote of 4-3, the Planning Board recommended the
following in September 2019.
​

1. Denial of proposed Sub-Section 7.7 “Mixed Use 40 (MU-40) District”
2. Retention of the current Agricultural District
3. Adoption of the remaining revisions in sections 1 through 18 of the CCZR and
4. Adoption of the text revisions and zoning map boundaries for the MU-20 District

We agree with the Planning Board recommendation.

The current Planning Staff are recommending retention of the MU-40 District.
We disagree with the land use changes made in this MU-40 District.

1) MU-40

• We object to the zoning changes reflected in MU-40, not the “MU-40” name.
• The area encompassed by the proposed MU-40 zoning is extensive and would be available for large-scale intensive industrial uses, including in areas that contain prime soils and prime farmland and areas that would not be appropriate for large-scale intensive uses for various reasons.

2) Retain our current Agricultural zoning

• We object to eliminating the Agricultural zoning because it would mean a loss of much of our prime farmland for crop production and grazing and would allow large-scale intensive industrial uses to be developed.
• Most of the land in the Agricultural District is used for crops and pasture.

3) We object to removing any Special Use Permits for large-scale intensive uses because
there are areas in the county that are not appropriate for large-scale uses and that may
not be in alignment with our growth policy.

​Below are a few useful links to help you stay informed and get involved:

The public hearing on the Revised Zoning Regulations is on November 12 at 5:30 pm via Zoom
Register to attend the hearing via Zoom

Public comments may be sent through November 11. However, to have them placed in the Commissioners’ packets for early review they should be submitted by this Friday, November 6th

If you would like to submit a Public Comment in anticipation of the hearing, please use the provided form. All  public comments, including to the Commissioners, use and submit this form to the Planning Department.  The Planning Department then forwards public comments to the Commissioners.  You may complete this form online and then email it to  planningcomments@cascadecountymt.gov.

View November 12th Meeting Agenda

View the list of materials provided by Planning Department staff as well as a collection of public comments received regarding the revisions and the revision process of 2019-2020 zoning regulations.

Check out this helpful table. This table shows use cases where Special Use Permits (SUPs) are required, providing an opportunity for public comment!

Read the recent article in The Electric for a brief rundown of what to expect in the meeting.

The Cascade County Zoning Board of Adjustment voted unanimously to approve the special use permit for the Silver Falls Distillery component of the larger Madison Food Park. The board met May 28 and approved the permit with 14 conditions.
​
Those conditions are:

• obtaining a driveway approach permit from the Montana Department of Transportation and complete a traffic study if required by MDT and allow MDT to relocate the intersection if needed;
• comply with and obtain all necessary approvals from the Montana Department of Natural Resources related to water usage;
• obtain approval from the Cascade County City-County Health Department and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality for a new public water supply/wastewater system. “The board requests the MDEQ consider requirements for the wastewater ponds to be lined. In the event MDEQ requires periodic monitoring reports of either the public water supply or wastewater system, the applicant is required to provide a copy of any such report(s) to the CCHD Environmental Health Division within 10 days of submitting to MDEQ.”
• obtain MDEQ general permit for stormwater;
• obtain any other county, state or federal permits required;
• adhere to all relevant building codes;
• outside storage must be screened to conceal work equipment or materials not stored inside;
• no structure extends into the Height Military Overlay District;
• outside lighting be designed to avoid light pollution;
• install onsite fire suppression system meeting state building code requirements and obtain a letter from the Sand Coulee Volunteer Fire Department regarding the fire suppression system to ensure adequate protection;
• comply with state licensing requirements;
• landscaping and fencing comply with guidance from Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks;
• obtain nutrient management plan through MDEQ, if applicable; and
• ​“the applicant shall be required to place meters on wells and submit quarterly reports to CCHD and obtain water rights if usage exceed the exempt well levels provided by DNRC.”

Read the full article at The Electric