Zoning board approves special-use permit for Skyway short-term rental over neighbors' objections

The Butte-Silver Bow Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a special-use permit for a short-term rental at a single-family residence on Skyway Avenue after public comment from nearby homeowners who urged denial.

Planning Director Julia Crane told the board that the application, filed by Ferrer Property Holdings LLC (Jeff and Maya Ferrer), requests to operate a four- to five-bedroom short-term rental under the special-use provisions of the Butte-Silver Bow Municipal Code. Crane said staff recommended conditions including a Butte-Silver Bow public accommodations license, compliance with building, health and fire codes, visible street address signage, occupancy limits set by the Building Code Department and Fire Marshal, and that any future expansion would require further review by the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Neighbors who live immediately adjacent and across the street told the board they opposed the application. Gary McWhorter, who lives next door, said the applicant had not introduced himself to him and expressed concern about “parking, the partying, all of disruptions that might happen,” and potential safety and drug-related issues. Linda Trevenna, representing several nearby addresses, said the neighborhood is increasingly home to young families and that short-term rentals “all sounds good, but it's not. And we don't need it in our neighborhood.” Chad Joanard, who lives across the street and said he has three young children, said he was “worried about the safety” and that short-term rentals can increase traffic and reduce long-term rental availability.

The applicant, who identified the property and said he and his wife plan to spend time there and live on-site part-time, told the board they will limit parking to three vehicles, use external cameras, include strict house rules in listings, work with a local property manager when they are away and enforce no-party restrictions. “We will do everything we can to not let it be a problem,” he said.

Board members discussed neighborhood concerns but noted that similar uses are already present in Butte and that staff can pursue enforcement if conditions are violated. Garrett Craig moved to approve the special-use application with conditions as outlined by staff; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. The board recorded six affirmative votes. The chair noted opponents wishing to challenge the approval may file a petition in district court within 30 days.

The permit allows the property owner to pursue required business and public-accommodation licenses and to obtain final zoning compliance only after meeting the conditions described by staff.