BOZEMAN, Mont. — Residents are opposing a proposed tennis facility north of Bozeman that could impact their rural community.

Developers submitted a conditional use permit to Gallatin County staff for a proposed tennis facility that would go in a largely rural and agricultural area.

The property is about 10 acres, and the tennis structure would be over 8,500 square feet.

We met up with Bozeman resident Steve Kelly, who believes the proposed project isn’t a good fit due to the area being classified as residential and agricultural.

“Building a huge new building in a nonconforming lot really got us thinking about the precedent that this might set for other types of uses that would be ending one after another,” said Kelly.

Kelly submitted public comment to the Gallatin County Commission to review.

He and his neighbors believe the project will impact the rural atmosphere in their community, affect the native wildlife in the area and shared concerns about increased pressure for commercial development within the zoning district.

Kelly said it’s important now to protect the quality of life that’s in their community.

“We’re trying not to have urbanization and fast-paced development here, so we’re faced with this challenge. Can we preserve using the language we created then, those values we’re trying to protect now?” said Kelly.

The proposed project will go before the Gallatin County Commission Tuesday morning.