The Butte-Silver Bow planning department is recommending new open space zoning.

According to planning department officials the efforts are to ensure the protection and preservation of parks, trails, and other public areas.

The nine member planning board voted unanimously on the new zoning plans at their Thursday night meeting.

Since 2008 there has been a push to rezone to protect open space areas.

According to Julia Crain with the planning department, the new zoning will benefit the community for years to come.

"It is important that these areas stay zoned as parks, as urban trails, and also to protect our cultural heritage sites like the mines and the viewpoints many people use to interpret the mining history in Butte," Crain said.

The recommendation will go before the council of commissioners for a vote at the end of April.

Council of commissioner meetings are open to the public.

Crain said public interest is welcome and encouraged. If anyone has any questions about the new open space zoning they are welcome to call the planning department at 497-6200.