In January 2010, Council requested PRPL staff to study a procedure to evaluate parkland for potential disposal. In January 2011, Council gave direction to staff to proceed with evaluation of parklands. In January 2012, the Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Board (PRC Board) formed a subcommittee to work with staff to evaluate and recommend properties to be sold. Of the more than 500 properties evaluated, 38 properties were identified as having the potential to be sold. Recently staff was made aware of interest in purchasing a parcel of parkland in the Heritage Walk Townhomes Subdivision which had been previously identified by the Sale of Parkland Committee and staff as being suitable for sale. The property is a .248 acre lot located in the southeast corner of the subdivision at the end of Heritage Walk Road. The tax Identification Number is A30777. This parcel was dedicated as parkland when the plat for Heritage Walk Townhomes Subdivision was originally filed. The Holling Drain runs under the parcel and is noted on the plat. Also there is a boulder pit on the parcel that is used to control stormwater runoff from the subdivision and is documented in the Declaration of Unit Ownership pertaining to Heritage Walk Townhomes on file at the Yellowstone County Courthouse. Both of these structures effectively preclude this parcel from being utilized as a building site.  Staff ordered a certified market analysis which valued the property at $5,000, and that is recommended as the minimum acceptable price. 

Notice of the public hearing  was published in the Yellowstone County News and mailed out to surrounding property owners within 300 feet of the subject tract at least 15 days before the hearing as required by city code section 22-902    

The proceeds from the sale of this parkland will be utilized in the same way as past sales in the following order:   

• Pay for costs incurred in the sale process.
• Proceeds to pay for park improvements in the area where the land was sold.
• Proceeds to pay for development of Community and Regional parks in Billings.

Staff recommends that Council conduct a public hearing and then consider the resolution (Attachment A) authorizing the property sale.






 

City Council may:

• Accept the recommendation to sell the parkland parcel in the Heritage Walk Townhomes Subdivision and approve the resolution authorizing the sale; or,
• Not approve the sale of this parkland and provide direction to staff.

The sale of this parkland parcel will generate revenue and reduce liability exposure to the City. 

Staff recommends that the City Council conduct a public hearing and approve the resolution to sell the parkland in the Heritage Walk Townhomes Subdivision to the highest bidder with the minimum bid being $5,000.