On March 1, 2016, Sanderson Stewart, agent for High Sierra II, Inc., applicant,  applied for preliminary major plat approval for High Sierra Subdivision, 11^th Filing.  The proposed subdivision creates 70 lots for single-family residences and one large lot for future development on a 16.8-acre parcel of land. This proposal is part of a larger approved master plan of High Sierra Subdivision which includes a total of approximately 1,375 lots platted from 400 acres in multiple filings. The subject property is generally located north of Benjamin Boulevard, west of High Sierra Boulevard in the northwest Billings Heights. The property is zoned Residential-7,000-Restricted (R-70-R). The Yellowstone County Board of Planning will hold a public hearing on this proposal on April 26, 2016.
 

Staff recommends the Planning Board recommend that the City Council conditionally approve the preliminary plat of High Sierra Subdivision, 11^th  Filing, and adopt the Findings of Fact as presented in the staff report.  Pursuant to Section 76-3-608(4), MCA, the following conditions are recommended to reasonably minimize potential adverse impacts identified within the Findings of Fact:

1. To minimize effects on local services, prior to final plat approval utility easements shall be shown on the final plat as requested by the affected public and private utility companies.
2. To provide for the installation of utilities and mitigate impacts on local services, prior to final plat approval recordable easement documents shall be provided for the temporary storm water detention basins and swales.
3. Minor changes may be made in the SIA and final documents, as requested by the Planning, Legal or Public Works Departments to clarify the documents and bring them into the standard acceptable format.
4. The final plat shall comply with all requirements of the City of Billings Subdivision Regulations, rules, regulations, policies, and resolutions of the City of Billings, and the laws and Administrative Rules of the State of Montana.

No variances from the City Subdivision Regulations have been requested.

• A pre-application meeting was held on January 28, 2016 to discuss the proposal.
• The preliminary plat application was submitted to the Planning Division on March 1, 2016.
• A departmental review meeting was conducted on March 17, 2016.
• The preliminary plat was resubmitted with revisions based on department reviews on March 24, 2016.
• The Planning Board will review the plat on April 12, 2016.
• The Planning Board will conduct a public hearing on April 26, 2016, and forward a recommendation to the City Council.
• The City Council will consider the preliminary plat on May 23, 2016.
• The 60 working-day preliminary plat review period ends May 24, 2016.

General location:                                             North of Benjamin Boulevard, west of High Sierra Boulevard in the Billings Heights
Legal Description:                                           Tract B of Certificate of Survey 3573
Subdivider/Owner:                                          High Sierra II, Inc.
Engineer and Surveyor:                                  Sanderson Stewart
Existing Zoning:                                              R-70-R
Existing land use:                                            Dry-land agricultural
Proposed land use:                                         Single-Family Residential
Gross/Net area:                                               34.59 acres / 30.86 acres
Proposed number of lots:                                70 residential lots 1 large parcel for future filings
Lot size: Max:                                                  16.8 acres
Min.:                                                                 7,002 square feet
Parkland requirements:                                    3.429 acres of parkland required; cash in lieu of land dedication is proposed.