Belgrade City Council Meeting – February 2, 2026: Rezonings & Appointments
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Belgrade City Council Meeting – February 2, 2026
The Belgrade City Council held its regular meeting on February 2, 2026. The council approved two zoning map amendments on second reading: the Foundry property (104 acres) to Master Plan Community District, and the Copper Ranch portion to Community Living District for affordable housing. The council also made appointments to the City-County Planning Board, Police Commission, and TIF Advisory Board. City Manager reports covered budget preparation, progress on the grain elevator project, TIF and parks debt capacity, and wastewater treatment repairs.
Consent Calendar
- The council unanimously approved the consent agenda as submitted.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Public Forum: Russ (former city employee) thanked staff and council for a party celebrating his years of service.
- Written Comment on Foundry Rezoning: The council received a letter from resident Kathy Bulk expressing concerns about the development’s impact. The city manager noted the letter contained some profanity, explained that the rezoning actually reduces density compared to existing zoning, and emphasized that developers have property rights that limit the city’s ability to simply deny projects.
- No oral public testimony was offered on either zoning item or on the appointments.
Discussion Items
Zone Map Amendment – The Foundry (Second Reading)
- Senior Planner Brad Stein presented the request to rezone approximately 104 acres at the northwest corner of Jackrabbit Lane and Cameron Bridge Road from Flex Employment, Community Living, Mixed Residential, and Open Space to Master Plan Community District. The applicant is Jack Rabbit Crossing LP, LLC. Staff recommended approval. The council had previously approved the first reading on January 20, 2026. The city manager added that the developer has proposed a significant parks investment. The council voted unanimously to approve the second reading.
Zone Map Amendment – Copper Ranch (Second Reading)
- Senior Planner Brad Stein presented the request to rezone a portion of the property owned by Yellowstone Crossing HC LLC (east of Depot Drive and South Frontage Road) from Commercial Corridor to Community Living District, intended for an affordable apartment complex with income and deed restrictions. Staff recommended approval. The first reading was approved January 26, 2026. The council voted unanimously to approve the second reading. Stein also noted that Depot Drive will need a name change due to duplication with a county road.
Appointments to Advisory Boards
- City-County Planning Board: Reappointed Ali Vasarilla, Sandy Lee, and Matt Anderson as city representatives, and Nolan Morgan as county representative. Terms expire June 30, 2026 (when the board transitions to a city-only planning board).
- Belgrade Police Commission: Reappointed Vivian Krauss and Steve Delaney to terms expiring February 2, 2029.
- TIF Advisory Board (TIFAC): The council appointed Dave Semerad (school district superintendent) and Scott McFarland (county commissioner) as ex-officio members. Councilmember Goffey volunteered and was nominated to serve as the council representative and chair of the board. The council unanimously approved all appointments.
City Manager & Mayor Reports
- Mayor’s Report: Attended the Montana League of Cities and Towns quarterly board meeting in Helena; discussed protecting local decision-making from state preemption.
- City Manager Cardwell:
- Employee evaluations completed on time; budget season underway with personnel requests.
- America 250 projects advancing; positive media coverage increasing.
- Grain elevator: liquid storage tanks removed, allowing lease closure with BNSF and eventual redevelopment.
- TIF and Parks districts: financial advisor Stefan Associates provided positive debt capacity estimates; debt issuance likely by June for projects including Hoffman corridor improvements.
- Oxidation ditch repair: city will need to fund a liner repair; Camry will provide further update at a future meeting.
Councilmember Updates
- Councilmember McGee: attended Urban Transportation District annual planning meeting; discussed future bus routes for Belgrade.
- Councilmember Simon: attended first Planning Commission meeting; 343 survey responses highlighted transportation/congestion, parks/trails, and a swimming pool as top priorities.
- Councilmember Menicucci: noted Water Quality Board meeting upcoming.
- Councilmember Bell: questioned whether the Senior Center Board meets in February; it was confirmed meetings resume that month.
Key Outcomes
- Foundry Rezoning (Second Reading): Approved unanimously.
- Copper Ranch Rezoning (Second Reading): Approved unanimously.
- Advisory Board Appointments: Approved unanimously, including Councilmember Goffey to TIFAC.
- Upcoming Dates: City Council Workshop on February 9, 2026; next regular meeting moved to Tuesday, February 17, 2026 (due to President’s Day).
Meeting Transcript
I'd like to thank everybody for coming here for our February 2nd Belgrade City Council meeting and would like please rise and follow me in the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God with liberty and justice for all. Roll call, please. Here. Here. Here. Here. All right, moving on to our public forum. So before starting your comments, please state your name and address and audible tone of voice for the record. This is the time for individuals to comment on matters falling within the purview of the Belgrade City Council that are not already on the agenda. There will be an opportunity in conjunction with each agenda item for comments pertaining to that item. Please note the council may not engage in discussion or respond to questions during this time. However, at the mayor's discretion, the city manager may be asked to provide clarification on existing policy. Please limit your comments to three minutes. First call for public comment. I see no public comment. I would wait for that. I'm just here to thank uh the city staff and the city administration for the wonderful party they had for me and the ladies that put things together and all the staff that did things uh in celebrating my years of service with the city. I'm in if you don't know me to know where I live back and talk. That's what I got to say. No, but in all seriousness, it was a fabulous thing, and I've enjoyed it. Uh and people were very generous. Uh I'm enjoying all of it that I have uh been given, so I want to thank you for that. I do want to state clearly that the gift from uh council member Menicucci is on a side wall uh next to the uh heads of animals, so that's where it belongs. Thank you all. Thank you, Russ. Second call for public comment, third and final call for public comment. Seeing no additional public comment, we'll close the public forum and move on to the consent agenda. Look for a motion. I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda as submitted. Second. Move by council member Simon, second by council member Minacucci. Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? All those in favor say aye. Aye aye. All those opposed, same sign. Passes unanimously. All right, moving on to public hearings. So first up is discuss and consider a zone map amendment of a property at the northwest corner of Jack Rabbit Lane and Cameron Bridge Road, commonly known as the Foundry, to be changed to Master Plan Community District. Good evening, Brastein Senior Planner here with the city. Yes, this is the second reading. You've heard this before. This um y'all voted on it on January 20th, being astronomy approved. Staff recommends approval again. This would be a change of the zoning from flex employment community living, uh mixed residential and a little piece of open space to master plan community. It's approximately 104 acres. It is on the northwest corner of Cameron Bridge Road and Jackrabbit Lane.
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