Residents vow appeals after Board of Adjustment grants variances for proposed 40‑unit apartment, citing parking, safety and historic‑district concerns

Dozens of Lewistown residents urged the City Commission to support appeals after the Board of Adjustment granted variances tied to a proposed 40‑unit apartment building in a historic neighborhood.

At the commission meeting, multiple speakers described parking shortages, safety hazards for pedestrians and children, and the building’s incompatibility with the courthouse historic district. “I do believe that’s the wrong location for an apartment building of that size in that neighborhood,” said Michelle, a resident who identified her address and said she works for the Council on Aging. She added that limited parking could block access to counseling and services for seniors.

The meeting included several specific claims about the variance process. Colton Dean said the board’s action “essentially illegally” violated the local code’s four variance criteria; the city manager responded that appeals must be filed within 30 days and described the process (rehearing by the Board of Adjustment, then district court if necessary). The city manager gave residents a target appeals deadline of March 27, noting the 30‑day window from the board hearing.

Other residents raised technical and quality‑of‑life objections. Mike F., who said he operates a local sign shop, criticized the city’s outreach and pointed to inconsistent application of setback rules. Deanna Stevenson, who operates a counseling business from her home, said a 40‑unit complex with 24 parking spaces would force clients to park multiple blocks away, posing a barrier to care. A homeowners‑association representative flagged trash and service‑vehicle access concerns.

Commissioners repeatedly told residents the City Commission lacks authority to overturn a Board of Adjustment decision but urged the public to use the appeals process and participate in future zoning and land‑use planning. “There is a process to go forward,” Commissioner Robertson said, encouraging residents to file appeals, attend hearings and engage with future zoning changes.

City staff clarified planning and permitting stages: the manager said the site’s current zoning could allow up to 54 units, that developers routinely meet with planning, fire and building staff during design reviews, and that the building permit and review process remained ongoing. Several speakers asked why design details and a 40‑unit concept appeared before broader public engagement; staff said informal department meetings do not substitute for formal public hearings.

Next steps: residents planning appeals were told to submit petitions that state a legal basis tied to the variance criteria within the 30‑day window; the Board of Adjustment may rehear with additional evidence, and the district court is a later option. The commission did not take formal action reversing the variance.