Belgrade City Council Meeting – October 6, 2026

The Belgrade City Council met on October 6, 2026, to consider a conditional use permit (CUP) for a commercial kennel at 1206 Rizzo Lane, along with routine consent items and departmental reports. After a public hearing with both opposition and support, the council approved the permit with a condition for an eight-foot fence.

Consent Calendar

• SCADA Upgrade Contract: Approved unanimously by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Forum (non‑agenda): Vivian Krause (904 Burton Court) thanked the city or residents for clearing weeds on 13th Street.
• CUP Public Comments:
  • Sadie Woller (1302 Grover Lane) spoke against the kennel, citing noise that can travel 400 feet to half a mile, proximity to a residential area (170 feet from her home), property value loss, and stress on neighborhood dogs.
  • Donna Hefner (1306 Rizzo Lane) expressed disappointment at not receiving notification, and argued the kennel would generate excessive noise, odor, and lower home values.
  • Carmel Michael (1306 Grover Lane) also cited lack of notification and added concerns about noise from aircraft (especially fighter jets) affecting kennel dogs.
  • Drew Fowler (1306 Fozzie Lane) outlined several zoning criteria (Section 10.6.12) that he argued were not satisfied; provided a rough estimate of $500,000 to $2 million in neighborhood devaluation; and noted that single‑dog barking is enforced by police but a kennel with up to 40 dogs may not be controllable.
  • Taylor Adams (1308 Rizzo Lane) works from home with a 10‑month‑old and said daytime barking would disrupt naps and outdoor activities.
  • Caitlin Fowler (1305 Fozzie Lane) raised concerns about children’s sleep and increased traffic on Rizzo Lane, noting two pedestrian fatalities in Belgrade this year.
  • Vivian Krause (904 Burton Court) spoke in support, noting existing noise from trains/aircraft and that a controlled facility could benefit dogs with separation anxiety.
  • Coco Duma (1206 Butler Creek) expressed general support for business but wanted more details on true capacity, overnight supervision, light pollution, and traffic impacts.
  • Mike Lafferty (1503 Gunslinger Lane) questioned the need for taller fencing (indicating noise is expected), asked about enforcement of noise ordinances, and worried about street parking and traffic.
  • Blue Chapman (1104 Butler Creek) supported the kennel, saying the location (edge of town, airport zone, near dog park) is ideal and that any business would bring traffic.

Discussion Items

• Conditional Use Permit – Commercial Kennel at 1206 Rizzo Lane:
  • Staff Report: Planner Emily Martinez presented the application. The property is in the Flex Employment District; 25 public comments were received. Staff noted the zoning ordinance lists commercial kennels as a conditional use and recommended approval subject to conditions. Planning Commission had voted 2‑1 to approve with a six‑foot fence. Differences among code sections for fence heights were discussed; staff suggested an eight‑foot fence and a five‑foot setback (instead of the required three feet) for landscaping.
  • Applicant Presentation: Nathan Harman (CNIC Design Studio) described the facility as a dog daycare/boarding facility, not a shelter. Dogs would be indoors most of the time; the building includes sound‑reduction measures; outdoor time is limited to three short supervised periods. Odor is managed by ventilation and waste removal. Sound meters and cameras will be installed; neighbors may request the owner’s cell phone number. The applicant offered to return after one year to demonstrate compliance.
  • Contractor Gary Jansen proposed a fence design: three feet of concrete, five feet of fence, plus a landscape buffer, to achieve an effective eight‑foot sound barrier and safety feature.
  • Council Questions: Clarified staff‑to‑dog ratio (up to 5 animals per staff), no overnight staff on site (alarm/camera monitoring), separate gym tenant, and services offered (daycare, grooming, medic bay).
  • City Manager Cardwell explained that state law governs notification and that no city staff opinion on approval/denial was offered. He also noted the upcoming Dry Creek/Cruiser/Jackrabbit intersection project (signalized intersection and roundabout within 18–24 months).
  • Council Deliberation: Motion by Councilmember Simon (seconded by Menicucci) to approve the CUP on condition of an eight‑foot fence per the submitted photo/plan. Councilmember Simon argued the zoning allows it and that poor performance by the operator would eventually close the business. Councilmember Menicucci thanked the public for attending. Mayor Meese acknowledged concerns about noise from fighter jets and the difficulty of addressing that. Councilmembers expressed appreciation for public input and noted they balance zoning code with community concerns.

Key Outcomes

• Conditional Use Permit Approved: The motion carried 4‑2 (Councilmembers McGee and Guffy dissenting). The condition of an eight‑foot fence (as shown in the photo) was included.
• Upcoming Events: Mayor Meese announced the Montana League of Cities and Towns annual conference in Helena (Oct. 7‑9).
• Parks & Recreation Report: Deputy Mayor Matimo reported the Mayfair Meadows bike park grand opening (Phase 1 completed; a jump track to follow), winterization of parks restrooms, new tree species at Lewis and Clark Park, and the last farmers market.
• Water Rights Litigation: City Manager Cardwell noted that Belgrade and Helena are witnesses in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of exempt wells; the city has spent nearly $500,000 to change its water right on the north side and now witnesses the impact of exempt wells on senior water rights.
• Meeting Adjourned: Motion to adjourn passed by voice vote.