Belgrade City Council Workshop on MLUPA and Land Use Plan - April 13, 2026

The Belgrade City Council held a workshop on April 13, 2026, to discuss the Montana Land Use Planning Act (MLUPA) process, the City of Belgrade Land Use Plan, the future land use map, and proposed subdivision regulations. The meeting was informational, with no formal votes taken. Presenters and staff detailed the multi-year planning effort and next steps toward compliance.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Riley McDonald (Firm 5, 11 East Main) commented that the new subdivision regulations focus on subdivisions rather than individual home builds, and suggested making that distinction clear to the public to avoid concern about loss of input on neighboring lot development.
• Caitlin Coontz (partner, Firm Five) expressed dissatisfaction with public notification regarding the MDT roundabout project on Main Street, stating that downtown businesses were unaware of the plans until recently. She noted contradictions between the roundabout design (increasing traffic speed) and the land use goals of a safe, walkable downtown, and urged better community outreach.

Discussion Items

• MLUPA Overview and Belgrade’s Planning History: Charles Trawell (consultant) and Brad Stein (senior planner) presented the background. A SWOT analysis in 2022 spurred the "Clearly Belgrade Master Planning" effort, which has since been aligned with MLUPA requirements. Belgrade’s population grew three times faster from 2015–2020 than from 2005–2015, reaching approximately 11,800 earlier than projected. The state’s population has grown 71% since 2000.
• Land Use Plan and Future Land Use Map: The plan includes population projections (medium projection of ~23,000 by 2045, requiring about 4,300 housing units), goals for housing, economy, mobility, recreation, and infrastructure. A future land use map was updated with new “community” and “downtown” classifications. The map shows a transect from urban to rural uses across the planning jurisdiction.
• Housing Strategies and Zoning Compliance: Belgrade already meets 6 of 14 required housing strategies (e.g., permitting duplexes, accessory dwelling units, reduced parking minimums, increased height limits). Approximately 37% of the city’s zoned area currently complies with these strategies. The zoning ordinance was found to be well-prepared for MLUPA.
• Subdivision Regulations: The new regulations streamline the process: an administrative planning administrator can approve subdivisions that align with the land use plan and zoning, bypassing planning commission unless an appeal is filed. The major/minor subdivision distinction is replaced with a single process and eight exemptions. Appeal steps: planning administrator → planning commission → city council → district court (30 days per step).
• Upcoming Projects: The MDT roundabout project on Main Street was discussed. City Manager Cardwell noted the project is state-led, with public workshops on April 15 (11:30 a.m. lunch) and April 22 (4–7 p.m. open house). The roundabout is necessary to improve pedestrian safety and is a prerequisite for the larger Belgrade Urban Project (Jackrabbit underpass).

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken; the workshop was for information and discussion.
• Next Steps: The planning commission will review and recommend the land use plan and subdivision regulations on April 27. City council adoption is scheduled for May 4.
• Council members were encouraged to ask questions and provide feedback before adoption.
• Public events: April 15 – inside Belgrade Economic Development Series lunch (roundabout discussion); April 22 – MDT open house on roundabout (4–7 p.m.); also Arbor Day celebration on April 22 (10 a.m.–noon).
• The city-county planning board will be dissolved by July 1, 2026, coinciding with MLUPA adoption.