Only two businesses have signed on with voluntary city registry

A city committee will revisit how to have businesses register with the city for zoning purposes after a voluntary business registry proposal has garnered only two registrations.

"That's not going to do it for us," said Janet Trethewey, chairperson of the Planning and Development Committee. She spoke during Monday's Havre City Council meeting.

"We need to rethink that," she added.

The committee decided to ask business owners to voluntarily register with the city so that the committee could use the information when revamping zoning codes. Businesses have been asked to do that by the end of the month, but so far, only two have.

Set to meet again Tuesday, Aug. 24, at 5:15 p.m., the committee members will discuss what to do to have businesses register, Trethewey said.

Revisiting the idea of having a mandatory registration through a business license ordinance is an option, she said.

They also will look more at zoning, including how and where to zone medical marijuana businesses and how to incorporate properties annexed at the end of last year, in the city, she said.

Revising zoning on the eastern end of town also will be discussed during the meeting. She said much of the area is zoned for businesses, but is actually mainly residential. Without business registrations, though, it's difficult to tell, she added.

"We've got to keep moving forward," she said, adding that it's difficult to do that if the city doesn't know what is where.

Registration forms are available at City Hall at the City Hall office window, or online at http://www.ci.havre.mt.us.