On October 1, 2012, owner, Grand Peaks, LLC applied for preliminary major plat approval for Grand Peaks Subdivision, 3rd Filing. The proposed subdivision re-plats 4 lots originally platted in the Grand Peaks Subdivision into 30 lots. The subject property is located northeast of the intersection of Grand Avenue and 54th Street West and is zoned Residential Multi-family Restricted (RMF-R) and Residential-5000 (R-50). The proposal would create 28 lots for single-family homes, one storm water retention pond lot, and one large lot to be further subdivided in the future. The Yellowstone County Board of Planning reviewed the plat and held a public hearing at its November 27, 2012, meeting. Sanderson Stewart is the representing agent.

In accordance with state law, the City Council has 60 working days to act upon this major preliminary plat; the 60 working day review period for the proposed plat ends on January 2, 2013. State and City subdivision regulations also require that preliminary plats be reviewed using specific criteria, as stated within this report. The City may not unreasonably restrict an owner’s ability to develop land if the subdivider provides evidence that any identified adverse effects can be mitigated. Within the 60 day review period, the City Council is required to:

1. Approve;
2. Conditionally Approve; or
3. Deny the Preliminary Plat

Should the City Council approve the preliminary plat, the subject property may further develop under private ownership, resulting in additional tax revenues.

General location: Northeast of the intersection of Grand Avenue and 54th Street West

Legal Description: Lots 2 and 3, Block 2, Lot 1, Block 3, and Lot 1, Block 4 of Grand Peaks Subdivision, located in the SW ¼, Section 32, T1N, R25E

Owner: Grand Peaks, LLC

Subdivider: J&S Development Co.; Jeff Junkert, President

Engineer and Surveyor: Sanderson Stewart

Existing Zoning: RMF-R, R-50

Existing land use: Platted vacant lots

Proposed land use: Single-family residential

Gross and Net area: 15.14 acres; 12.69 acres

Proposed number of lots: 30

Lot size: Max: 4.0 acres
Min.: 10,850 square feet

Parkland requirements: Parkland dedication is proposed to be met by a cash payment in lieu of land dedication.

A public hearing was conducted by the Yellowstone County Board of Planning on November 27, 2012. Property owners adjacent to the subject property were notified by certified mail of the hearing and a legal notice was published in the Billings Times.  No public input was provided at the public hearing.

Consistency with the Growth Policy, the Transportation Plan 2009 Update, and Billings Area Bikeways and Trail Master Plan are discussed within the Findings of Fact.