On August 1, 2013, subdivider, Ron Hill, applied for preliminary major plat approval for Lake Hills Subdivision, 34th Filing. The proposed subdivision re-plats 14 lots originally platted in the Lake Hills Subdivision, 14^th and 15^th Filings, into 21 lots. The subject property is located on both sides of Boca Raton Road, between Clubhouse Way and Annandale Road, north of the Lake Hills Golf Course.  The property is zoned Residential-9600 (R-96) and single family residences are proposed.  The Yellowstone County Board of Planning reviewed the plat and conducted a public hearing at its September 24, 2013, meeting. Blueline Engineering is the representing agent.

In accordance with state law, the City Council has 60 working days to act upon this preliminary major plat; the 60 working day review period for the proposed plat ends on October 28, 2013. State and City subdivision regulations also require that preliminary plats be reviewed using specific criteria, as stated within the Findings of Fact attached to 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:                               On both sides of Boca Raton Road (unconstructed at this time) north of Lake Hill Golf Course.
 
Legal Description:                              Amended Lots 19 & 20, and Lots 22-25, Block 46, and Lots 3 & 4, and Lots 6-9, Block 47, of Lake Hills Subdivision, 14^th Filing; and Lots 16 & 17, Block 46, and Lots 8 & 9, Block 47, Lake Hills Subdivision, 15^th Filing located in the Section 16, T1N, R26E.
 
Subdivider/Owner:                             Ron S. Hill Living Trust
 
Engineer and Surveyor:                     Blueline Engineering; North Star Land Services
 
Existing Zoning:                                  R-96
 
Existing land use:                               Platted vacant lots
 
Proposed land use:                            Single-Family Residential
 
Gross and Net area:                           4.33 acres
 
Proposed number of lots:                   21
 
Lot size:                                              Max:   14,137 square feet
                                                           Min.:   9,600 square feet
 
Parkland requirements:                      Parkland dedication was previously met.

A public hearing was conducted by the Yellowstone County Board of Planning on September 24, 2013.  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 comments were submitted.  Planning Board members expressed concern that there would be no public parkland in the immediate vicinity for children in the new residences to access. The closest City park, Sally Ann Park, was pointed out by the developer, though it is approximately one-half mile from the site and is undeveloped at this time.

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.