Planning Board Minutes – August 4, 2026
FALLON COUNTY, CITY OF BAKER AND TOWN OF PLEVNA
Planning Board Meeting
August 4, 2026
Regular Meeting
6:30 P.M. Call to Order
Public Comment:
Roll Call – Establish Quorum:
Members present: Vaughn Zenko, President; Michele Gray, Vice President; Cindy Irgens; Alissa Miller; Lisa Espeland; Jon Slagter; Shelley MacKay Dean – called in
Members absent: No members absent.
Staff present: Brenda Wood, Fallon County Clerk & Recorder; Megan Slagter, Executive Secretary; Desiree Thielen, Planner & DES Coordinator; Forrest Sanderson, Contract Planner
Members of the Public: Shawn Wiseman and Dean Wang
*First portion of audio missing due to technical difficulties.*
Public Comment:
No one appeared for public comment.
Approval of Minutes:
Michele Gray motioned to approve July 7th, 2026 meeting minutes. Lisa Espeland seconded the motion. Vaughn Zenko asked for any further discussion; being none. 6 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
New/Old Business:
- Discussion/Decision to update the Subdivision Regulations for all jurisdictions on the following items:
Forrest presented 2025 changes to the Building for Lease or Rent regulation changes. Road standards will have to be adopted for the BLR and a public hearing will have to be held.
- Buildings for Lease or Rent (BLR)
- 2025 updates for RV Parks and Mobile Home Parks
- New Road Standard
Fallon County Road Superintendent submitted county road standards along with requesting chip and seal road standards to be drafted. Discussed public and private road signs within the county. Roads were renamed during the Keystone Pipeline; Shawn stated he is still having issues with emergency services finding his address.
Dean Wang asked if the man camp would have to be permitted again; discussed subject of review that man-camp would go through on the local and state level. Discussed sewer line easement to the man-camp that runs through Dean Wang’s property.
- Discussion on Interim Zoning
Forrest reported on meeting held with County Commissioner earlier today to discuss interim zoning and development regulations. (August 4th @ 1:30 PM) The Growth Policy would have to be updated in order to allow the County to have the option of establishing zoning. The Commission has committed to budgeting for the Growth Policy to be updated if the Planning Board decides to move forward. Discussed manufacturing facility possibly moving into the community, specifically on 6th Street SW. The Commission will be asking the County Attorney to draft an interim ordinance if an eminent emergency were to present itself while the Planning Board revises the Growth Policy. Discussed procurement process of updating the Growth Policy; Great West Engineering and Interstate Engineering would both be Montana Firms that would be able to assist with updating the Growth Policy.
Shawn Wiseman encouraged the Board to continue to move forward with the recommendation to the Commission as was discussed during prior meetings.
Dean Wang encourages to move forward as this was already addressed with RV Parks in the past.
Discussed the Planning Board taking on the role of the zoning commission if zoning is implemented. Discussed types of zoning that could be implemented within the county; the Growth Policy would bring in public input for different types of zoning the public is interested in. Discussed industries that have ordinances and contractual zoning on landowners that have allowed the project on their property.
Alissa Miller motioned to recommend amending the 2023 Fallon County Growth Policy to the Commission. Cindy Irgens seconded the motion. Vaughn Zenko asked for any further discussion; being none. 5 Ayes. 1 Nays. Motion carried.
Discussed the Planning Board’s involvement in the hiring of a consultant who would revise the growth policy; Forrest recommended having the Commission appoint board members to be part of the procurement process. Discussed procurement process.
Upcoming Meeting-
Mandatory Meeting
Tuesday, October 6th at 6:30 PM
Regular Meeting
Monday, September 1st at 6:30 PM
7:35 PM Vaughn Zenko asked for any further discussion; being none. Meeting adjourned.
s/ Vaughn Zenko, President
ATTEST:
s/ Megan Slagter, Executive Secretary
