Belgrade interim planning commission adopts bylaws and elects leadership

The Belgrade Interim Planning Commission convened its first meeting just after 6 p.m. on Sept. 29, 2025, adopted interim bylaws that define the commission's advisory role to the city council, and elected leadership for the year.

Catherine King, the city's community and economic development director, opened the meeting and described the bylaws' purpose: to govern how the commission will review development proposals and make recommendations under the Montana Land Use Planning Act. "The bylaws govern the board and how it will operate and the format that it will follow," King said during the discussion.

After a motion to approve the bylaws, members voted by voice and King announced, "Looks like the bylaws are adopted as proposed." The bylaws, as adopted, make the commission an advisory body that will present recommendations to the city council rather than take final action.

The commission then held nominations for chair and vice chair. Following nominations and a voice vote, the commission elected Ally Varicella as chair for 2025 and Sandy Lee as vice chair. King turned the meeting over to the newly elected chair to conduct the remainder of the agenda.

The actions taken at the meeting establish the interim planning commission's procedural authority and leadership as the city moves forward with work under state land-use rules. The commission noted that staff will bring back additional items, including a fuller presentation on the state planning requirements at the next meeting.

The meeting was brief and procedural; there were no public comments recorded in person or online. The chair adjourned the meeting at 6:39 p.m.