Board backs rezoning of airport-owned parcels to Airport District; privately owned lots left unchanged

The Belgrade Planning Board voted to recommend that airport-owned parcels on Tub Road, Airport Road and Timothy Lane be rezoned into the ADB Airport District and removed from the East Gallatin Zoning District — a change staff says should apply only to parcels owned by the airport and not to privately held properties.

Staff explained the proposal is intended to make airport-owned parcels easier to use for airport-related purposes without requiring a conditional-use permit each time. "The RA zoning requires that any airport use is a conditional use, so if the airport wants to use any of these properties for airport uses they have to get a conditional use permit," staff said, arguing that bringing airport-owned land under ADB would simplify processes for airport operations while protecting private owners from immediate rezoning.

Board members discussed that three privately owned lots remain in the area and emphasized fairness and appraisal impacts if private property were rezoned without owner's consent. Staff said the airport is acquiring lots as owners decide to sell and that some operations planned by the airport (new hangars, possible runway work) do not affect the specific parcels under discussion.

A member moved to recommend rezoning the airport-owned parcels; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff and board members stressed the county commission and city council retain final authority, and noted some statutory and interlocal agreement details remain under review before further action.