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Benefis, city present Conditional Use Permit for 48‑bed dementia care village; neighbors raise lights, dust and traffic concerns
Summary
Representatives of Benefis and the city described a Conditional Use Permit to redevelop the former Poor Clares monastery into Benefis Village for about 48 residents with dementia; the proposal goes to the Zoning Commission June 23 and neighbors voiced concerns about lights, dust and traffic.
Representatives of Benefis and the City of Great Falls presented a Conditional Use Permit application at the Neighborhood Council No. 5 meeting on May 18 proposing conversion of the former Poor Clares monastery site into a Benefis Village to serve about 48 residents with dementia.
The presenters described a plan that would remove the existing institutional use and add buildings to accommodate a smaller, residential care model intended as an alternative to larger institutional settings. The application is scheduled to be considered by the city’s Zoning Commission on June 23.
Neighbors in attendance raised concerns about the project’s potential impacts on nearby residences, specifically noting possible light pollution, dust during construction and increased traffic from the development. Meeting minutes record those concerns but do not show formal mitigation commitments or resolved conditions; city staff and Benefis representatives said the CUP would be reviewed through the normal Zoning Commission process.
Why it matters: A CUP decision will determine whether this land use change can proceed and under what conditions; the proposed project also affects nearby residents and long‑term local capacity for dementia care. The June 23 Zoning Commission hearing is the next formal step where neighbors and officials can present testimony and conditions may be set.
No formal vote by the Neighborhood Council occurred on the CUP at the May 18 meeting. The city and Benefis indicated the matter will move to the Zoning Commission for formal review; neighbors were encouraged to follow that public process. The meeting minutes do not name the Benefis or city representatives who spoke nor record specific mitigation measures or a formal timeline beyond the June 23 hearing date.
