On December 1, 2016, the Planning Division received an application for preliminary plat approval for Tule Ridge Subdivision. The proposed minor subdivision re-plats Lot 8 of Sunny Cove Fruit Farms into 5 lots. The subject property is located at the southeast corner of the intersection of Rimrock Road and 62nd Street West and is zoned Community Commercial.

In accordance with state law, the City Council has 35 working days to act upon this preliminary minor plat; the 35 working day review period for the proposed plat ends on January 24, 2017. 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 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:                   Southeast corner of the intersection of Rimrock Road and Molt Road
Legal Description:                  Tule Ridge Sub., Being Lot 8 of Sunny Cove Fruit Farms
Owner/Subdivider:                  Tule Ridge Development
Engineer and Surveyor:          Performance Engineering & Consulting      
Existing Zoning:                     Community Commercial (CC)
Existing land use:                  Agricultural    
Proposed land use:                Commercial    
Gross/net area:                      8.43 Acres                  
Proposed number of lots:        5         
Lot size:                                185,009 sf/26,628 sf                                      
Parkland requirements:           None

A public hearing is not scheduled for the City Council meeting; however nearby property owners may attend the City Council meeting. The Planning Division has received no public comments or questions regarding the proposed subdivision. 

Consistency with the 2016 City of Billings Growth Policy, the 2014 Transportation Plan Update, the Billings Area Bikeway and Trail Master Plan, and the West Billings Plan are discussed within the Findings of Fact.

One of the purposes of the City’s subdivision review process is to identify potential negative effects of property being subdivided. When negative effects are identified it is the subdivider’s responsibility to mitigate those effects.  Various City departments have reviewed this application and provided input on effects and mitigation.  The Findings of Fact, which are presented as an attachment, discuss the potential negative impacts of the subdivision and the following conditions of approval are recommended as measures to further mitigate any impacts.