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Residents press council on Springwater Apartments construction and say zoning survey was too brief
Summary
Multiple residents raised concerns about active construction at Springwater Apartments amid an injunction, limited public notice for a recent zoning survey and broader distrust about growth and neighborhood impacts; staff said the court did not stay construction and described the survey as a community "temperature check."
Members of the public at the July 20 Lewistown council meeting pressed the city for clarity about construction activity at the Springwater Apartments and complained that a zoning-survey window and outreach had been too brief.
Todd Stewart Chopp, who identified himself and gave his address, said the apartment owners had begun staging and fencing construction and that an injunction and temporary restraining order had been filed in Miles City. He asked the council to clarify whether the city issued building permits and what role the court order would play.
City staff said a temporary restraining order had been filed with Judge Hayward in Miles City and that a subsequent hearing would be scheduled; staff told the council the court did not stay the work and therefore the judge had not prohibited construction from beginning. The city clarified that some matters are now in the courts and not under the council's direct control.
Other residents said a zoning-survey instrument tied to the 2024 growth plan had been available online for what several speakers described as only two weeks and that many community members lacked access or notice; they urged printed summaries and library-based support for those without internet access. Staff answered that the survey was intended as a short "temperature" questionnaire prior to consideration of ordinance changes and invited additional public outreach as the planning commission and council review components.
Commissioners thanked residents for attending and said they would consider more education about TIP and TED programs, the growth plan and how the TIF/TED processes work.
Quote from resident: "The zoning survey...was only 2 weeks, and it is part of the Montana City Road plan; I think it's very important." Staff response: "It's really asking what your desire in new ordinances would be. Your general knowledge...to find out the temperature of the community."
