Montana statutes require zoning to be "in accordance" with an adopted master (comprehensive) plan. The following italicized paragraphs are extracted from the 1996 Ennis comprehensive plan. They present land use related goals and objectives, several of which are interchangeable irrespective of type of land use. These goals and objectives, together with statements discussing the several land use map classifications, are especially pertinent to the zoning districts and zoning district overlays. They shall serve as the basis of every land use and construction project design, review and execution.
II: GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The "Goals and Objectives", together with stated policies, form the backbone of a community comprehensive plan. They outline what Ennis citizens want for the future of their community - how they want it to look, feel and function - irrespective of growth rates, economic conditions or other circumstances largely beyond local government's control...
The Goals and Objectives were drawn from the 'Likes' and 'Dislikes' expressed by the citizens at two planning workshops and from planning board and consultant observations....
Primary Goals
Preserve and enhance community attractiveness.
Conserve the area's natural environmental quality.
Ensure that future development does not burden current taxpayers.
Residential
Goal:
Improve the community's total living environment by employing active, neighborhood based planning and implementation.
Objectives:
Halt "suburban sprawl" and facilitate neighborhood reinvestment.
Determine development suitability and site design acceptability with full regard for topographic, soil, food and other natural conditions.
Implement flexible regulatory codes to achieve well planned neighborhoods with varied lot sizes, mixed land uses and safe, efficient site design.
Protect neighborhoods from poorly designed incompatible uses....
Facilitate new and rehabilitated housing that will serve all citizens needs.
Implement incentive based minimum construction standards.
Commercial
Goal:
Optimize business opportunities consistent with the Primary Goals.
Facilitate small businesses consistent with Ennis' "small town" character.
Preserve downtown as the focal point of business and shopping activity.
Provide incentives to attract and keep business within the core area.
Encourage development of vacant and underutilized spaces in the core area.
Continue to enhance all elements of downtown's appearance, particularly signs and lights.
Continue downtown's contemporary western theme.
Link commercial, residential and recreational spaces with pedestrian walkways.
Require adequate, properly located well-designed parking.
Industrial
Goal:
Build a more diversified, year-round economy.
Objectives:
Facilitate the expansion of existing and development of new light industries.
Protect lands suitable for light industry from residential or other low value uses.
Require proper site design construction and maintenance.
Community Facilities and Utilities
Goal:
Provide effective, efficient public services.
Objectives:
Require basic utility systems be installed prior to development and construction.
Install power and communication systems underground.
Require adequate storm water facilities be designed, installed and maintained.
Parks and Recreation
Goal:
Develop park and recreation facilities that meet the needs of all citizens.
Objectives:
Provide land and recreational facilities commensurate with current and future needs that do not exceed the community's maintenance capabilities.
Develop year-round facilities that will strengthen the Madison Valley recreational economy but do not degrade the natural environment.
Develop a park and recreation system along the Madison River linked with other community recreation spaces.
Preserve and improve parks and open spaces within the core area.
Improve parks acquired in collection with subdivision approvals.
Transportation
Goal:
Increase the quality, availability and efficiency of transportation facilities.
Objectives:
Restrict access to arterial streets.
Agriculture
Goal:
Promote the agricultural economy's continued growth and prosperity.
Objectives:
Recognize agriculture's contribution to the community's economic base, the protection of wildlife resources and maintenance of open space.
Protect agriculture from the adverse effect of subdivision development.
Fully implement land protection measures including floodplain management, weed infestation controls and soil and water conservation.
Natural Resources
Goal:
Make effective use of natural resources while protecting environmental quality.
Objectives:
Protect and appropriately manage natural resources.
Implement measures that will minimize air and water pollution.
Protect and preserve Madison Valley's natural character.
Aesthetic and Environment
Goal:
Protect and enhance the area's built and natural environment.
Objectives:
Protect the area's natural environment.
Design and implement a flexible, design based regulatory system.
Improve community entryway signage and landscaping.
Prevent new incompatible land uses, and mitigate the effect of those that currently exist, with landscaping or other means of buffering.
Reduce the consumption of water for landscape irrigation.
Land Use Map: The Land Use Map... is intended to be interpreted and applied in context with but subservient to the document text. Although the number of dwelling units per acre stipulated for each of the land use classification areas are intended to be maximum densities, they shall be flexibly interpreted to accommodate density "bonuses" that may be permitted by zoning provisions adopted to implement the spirit and intent of the comprehensive plan.
The land uses and development requirements to be implemented by zoning and other regulatory codes and policies are:
Agricultural Areas: Three (3) classifications of land primarily suited for grazing or raising crops are designated. Low intensity residential uses may be permitted depending upon natural development constraints and distance from town.
a. Agriculture - 1 DU Per 640 Acres: Areas subject to flooding or topographic constraints that make them unsuitable or virtually unsuitable for any urban type use but which are suitable for agricultural crops or grazing.
b. Agriculture - I DU Per 160 Acres: Areas subject to severe water table and other developmental problems causing them to be difficult to develop for urban purposes but which are suitable for agricultural crops or grazing.
c. Agriculture - I DU Per 80 Acres: Lands with moderate developmental constraints that lie between the very low developmental density agricultural lands and the low density residential use areas. These areas are suitable for grazing and certain other agricultural purposes.
Residential Neighborhoods: Residential neighborhoods will be systematically improved by paving streets where appropriate, installing sidewalks, providing adequate storm drainage facilities and planting street trees. Specific areas adjacent to the downtown area will be enhanced by gradually introducing limited mixed use development. This gradual "infilling" and reinvestment process will be undertaken under guidelines and controls designed to protect the livability and economic viability of the existing residential properties. All new residential subdivisions will be designed and developed to be efficiently served by public infrastructure and services.
Residential areas are classified for differing development densities (dwelling units per acre) based upon their relative suitability for development as delineated by the soil conservation service (now NRCS) "Soils Survey" and by their relative distance from the center of town.
a. Residential - 1 DU Per 10 Acres: Tracts suitable for low density, suburban type development.
b. Residential - 2 DU's Per Acre: Lands within 1 and close to town suitable for single-family home sites served by "on-lot" water and sewage disposal systems.
c. Residential - 4 DU's Per Acre: The area currently developed with a mix of mobile homes, apartments and single-family houses. Four (4) DU's per gross acre will permit development at an intensity that should not adversely affect individual home development if proper regulatory requirements are applied.
d. Residential - 8 DU's Per Acre: This development density approximates that which currently exists throughout the town's older areas. Specific development regulations must be enacted (and possibly differing zoning classifications) to assure high quality site design, building rehabilitation and new home construction.
Local Commercial and Residential: Mixed commercial/residential areas that will be subject to maximum building and parking limits to ensure services will be restricted primarily to immediate surrounding neighborhoods.
Core Commercial/Residential Neighborhoods: The downtown "core" area will retain its position as the primary business and shopping center of the Ennis vicinity. Expansion into the blocks immediately to the north and south of Main Street will be facilitated through a carefully controlled mixed-use regulatory procedure. Downtown's western small town character will be protected by managing the size, nature and arrangement of buildings, streets, walkways, parking, open spaces and other development features, both public and private.
Highway Commercial: Concentrated areas of highway oriented business developments are indicated for three (3) specific areas abutting arterial routes. Existing commercial enterprise owners will systematically improve the safety and appearance of their properties as buildings are expanded or uses are changed. New commercial operations will be required to design, improve and maintain properties in the manner proscribed for the areas designated "Highway Commercial".
Commercial/Industrial: This classification will allow a somewhat broader range of uses and afford greater opportunity for basic sector job opportunities close to the heart of the community. Existing and new development will be improved in the manner proscribed for the areas designated "Commercial/Industrial".
Planned Industrial: The area to be reserved for basic sector employment type uses that will be attracted to Ennis if a suitable environment is assured.
(Ord. 131, 3-14-2002)
Notes
| 1 | 1. All properties within the town limits must connect with the town's central sewer system. |
The Ennis planning and zoning jurisdictional area is divided into the following zoning districts:
Agricultural Districts
AG-640 Agricultural - 640
AG-160 Agricultural - 160
AG-80 Agricultural - 80
Residential Districts
R-RD Residential - rural density
R-LD Residential - low density
R-MD Residential - medium density
R-TD Residential - town density
Mixed Commercial/Residential Districts
L-CR Local commercial - residential
C-CR Core commercial - residential
Nonresidential Districts
HC Highway commercial
C-I Commercial/industrial
P-I Planned industrial
Zoning Overlay Districts
TND Traditional neighborhood development
FPM Floodplain management
CS Community signage
(Ord. 131, 3-14-2002)
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