Amazon’s potential new Montana warehouse near Helena remains in the early planning stages, according to local city officials. The project, which has sparked public interest, was discussed during a recent city commission meeting where City Commissioner Julia Gustafson sought clarification from city staff. The development involves applications for pre-zoning and annexation of a parcel near Mountain View Meadows, yet Amazon’s name isn’t explicitly mentioned in the files.
City planner Michael Alvarez noted a proposal describes the venture as a “distribution center,” submitted by Kimley-Horn and Associates, a company linked to other Amazon facilities. However, the area, zoned as B-2 mixed-use, currently restricts distribution centers. “[The applicants] would need to be pre-zoned, annexed, and after annexation, apply for a conditional use permit to operate a warehouse or distribution center in that location,” Alvarez stated.
The annexation and zoning are vital steps before any warehouse construction could begin. The project’s pre-zoning application, initially planned for an April 12 zoning commission review, has been delayed due to an incomplete transportation impact study. Helena Public Information Officer Amanda Opitz highlighted the importance of this study in meeting zoning and transportation standards.
Opitz stated that the zoning commission would delay considerations until a revised transport impact study is submitted. The commission’s decisions will eventually lead to a city commission meeting, addressing both pre-zoning and annexation, approximately 30 to 45 days after the zoning commission’s actions.
If Amazon’s warehouse project meets city standards and gains approval, it would join Montana’s existing Amazon facilities in Missoula, Belgrade, Butte, Kalispell, Great Falls, and Billings. Recent openings in Kalispell and Great Falls have expanded Amazon’s presence in the state. City documents list the proposed site at 3645 Alice St., intended as a warehouse distribution center in an industrial zone.
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