County board approves permits for multi-sports facility, veterinarian clinic
The Cascade County Zoning Board of Adjustment approved special use permits for a multi-sports facility and a new veterinary clinic during their July 17 meeting.
TNT Sports is planning a multi-sports training facility and batting cage business on 49th Street Southwest.
They’re planning an 8,000 square foot, year-round, indoor turf athletic training, plus 3,000 square foot outdoor space, facility.
The project, proposed bu Jen and Dale Gunter, is proposed to be membership based.
The proposed project includes two training facility buildings to be constructed, one 80 by 100 feet, the second 100 by 200 feet.
According to the applicant, traffic conditions on 49th Street Southwest are light to moderate with about 224 houses on the hill
Traffic will increase moderately with an extra 25-100 cars per day, according to the applicant, using three primary intersections to access the facilities at 49th Street Southwest and 53rd Avenue; 49th Street Southwest and Tri Hill Frontage; and Tri Hill Frontage and 31st Southwest.
According to the staff analysis, “a substantial increase in traffic is anticipated. The main road that will be used for access is 49th Street Southwest,” and the county road and bridge division determined an approach permit would be needed.
The applicants said in their application materials that a commercial septic will be installed for each training facility building.
At this time, no other buildings/residents are being allowed on the Gore Hill community water, so the applicant stated they’re planning to install two 1,500-gallon cisterns, one for each building.
“There are currently no business that exist in Cascade County that specializes in training for multiple sports. We believe the addition of these training facilities will not only strengthen our community by increasing training in multiple competitive sports, but also add value to our community by bringing families outside Great Falls to stay and play in our local area,” according to the TNT Sports application.
During the July 17 ZBOA meeting, county planning staff said one neighboring property owner had submitted written comment in opposition with concerns about traffic.
Dave Bertelsen, owner of K&K Trucking, a neighboring property owner, spoke in support of the project.
Michele Levine, a county attorney, suggested during the meeting that the board include as a condition that the facility will be membership based as represented in their application, a condition the board included in their approval.
TNT is proposing the facility to include batting cages, weight training area, specialized equipment such as pitching machines and HitTRax, video analysis of pitching and hitting, specialized camps and a pro shop.
Their application states they’ll operating 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday and will offer baseball/softball hitting and pitching, but also space for football, soccer, lacrosse, weight training and allow for full team practices.
The property is 10.49 acres allowing for future expansion.
During the July 17 ZBOA meeting, the board also approved a special use permit to Jessica Johnson for a veterinary clinic at 217 U.S. Highway 89 in Vaughn.
She’ll be leasing the former Country Haven Veterinary Clinic facility to open a new vet clinic.
According to her application, the clinic will be located in the existing commercial building and operate during normal business hours, with no after-hours emergency services.
