Helena Forward Land Use Plan Amendments

At a glance

What: City-initiated amendments to the Helena Forward Land Use Plan and Future Land Use Map: a map correction changing an unintended Suburban Residential designation to Urban Residential in one area, plus technical Land Use Element updates using data analyses by Houseal Lavigne funded through a pro-housing grant.
Where it stands: On September 28, 2026 the Commission voted 5-0 to begin the amendments (Rigby moved, Logan seconded).
Next: Staff analysis and public outreach, then review by the Planning Commission and City Commission before anything is adopted. Planning Director Brink estimated up to six months. Work is done by City staff with no added funding.

September 23: Existing Mixed-Use, Public/Semi-Public and Parks/Open Space designations in the area stay unchanged. Senior Planner Ray said the data (neighborhood access to amenities, land value patterns) will guide zoning and investment and that the changes create no new policy. Reed asked why six months are needed if zoning is already right; Gustafson asked that the map correction and data updates be shown as separate amendments in the packet. Logan asked about public awareness; Brink said outreach has begun.
September 28: Ray presented the request; Gustafson asked questions; Mayor Dean praised implementation of the Montana Land Use Planning Act.

Authorization to commence the amendments approved 5-0.

Staff briefing on the map correction and data-driven updates; no action.