Growing Pains

Ravalli County to Stop Big Box Stores Before They Start

By Tad Sooter, 3-02-06

While other Montana communities are fighting to keep big-box stores from expanding, Ravalli County is developing a proactive plan that could keep them from setting up shop in the first place.

On Feb. 28, Ravalli County Commissioners voted unanimously to draft a temporary ordinance that would limit retail building size to under 60,000 square feet. County Commission Chairman Greg Chilcott said the intent of the resolution, which could be voted on within two months, is to maintain the character and culture of the Bitterroot Valley. He said the proposal has had enthusiastic and almost unanimous public support.

The commissioners cautioned the public the regulations will only affect areas under county jurisdiction and would not stop large retailers from moving into cities or towns within county lines. To Chilcott’s knowledge, a KMart store in Hamilton is the largest retail building in Ravalli County – at just under 60,000 square feet.

“There have been a lot of rumors that this corporation or that corporation is trying to buy land, but nothing has ever come from it," Chilcott said. “We’re certainly not targeting any one corporate entity."

Ravalli County planners will look at retail size regulations used in other regions in the country to avoid pitfalls as they draft their own plan. One example is Clark County, Nev., home of Las Vegas, where commissioners lost a drawn-out legal battle to keep Wal-Mart from building, Chilcott said.

Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce director Diane Wolfe said that the Chamber is in the process of polling its members about the issue and is not ready to take a stance on the ordinance. She said the size restrictions were carefully considered and will allow ample space for local businesses.

The temporary ordinance could be implemented for up to two years before more permanent regulations would have to be created. A public meeting is scheduled for March 21 to review the draft.

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