On August 1, 20108, Sanderson Stewart, agent for High Sierra II, Inc., applied for preliminary major plat approval for High Sierra Subdivision, 12th Filing.  The proposed subdivision creates 66 lots for residential development on a 12.74-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 Topanga Avenue in the 11th Filing and east of High Sierra Boulevard in the northwest Billings Heights. The property is zoned Residential-7,000-Restricted (R-70-R).
 

Staff recommends that the Planning Board recommend conditional approval of the preliminary plat of High Sierra Subdivision, 12th Filing to the City Council, and adopt the Findings of Fact as presented in the staff report. 

PROPOSED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
Planning staff recommends the following conditions of approval:
 
1. To protect the public health and safety, prior to final plat approval the applicant will provide drawings to be reviewed and approved by engineering for the water, sewer and stormwater systems associated with the subdivision.
2. To provide for the installation of utilities, utility easements shall be shown on the final plat as requested by the affected public and private utility companies.
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.

PLAT REVIEW DISCUSSION / STAKE HOLDERS
Planning staff gave a brief presentation about the proposed subdivision and stood for questions. There were none from the Board. Board President Darell Tunnicliff asked if the applicant or agent would like to address the board.  Mr. Gary Oakland stood offering to answer any questions that the board had about the proposed subdivision.  There were no questions for Mr. Oakland.

No variances from the City Subdivision Regulations have been requested.

• A pre-application meeting was held on July 16, 2018 to discuss the proposal.
• The preliminary plat application was submitted to the Planning Division on August 1, 2018.
• A departmental review meeting was conducted on August 16, 2018.
• The preliminary plat was resubmitted with revisions based on department reviews on August 23, 2018.
• The Planning Board reviewed the plat on September 11, 2018.
• The Planning Board will conduct a public hearing on September 25, 2018, and forward a recommendation to the City Council.
• The City Council will consider the preliminary plat on October 22, 2018.
• The 60 working-day preliminary plat review period ends October 26, 2018.

General location:              North of Topanga Avenue in the 11th Filing and East of High Sierra Boulevard 
 
Legal Description:            Lot 17, Block 6 of High Sierra Subdivision, 11th Filing
 
Owner/Subdivider:           High Sierra II, Inc., Gary Oakland
 
Engineer and Surveyor:    Sanderson Stewart, Gary Owen
 
Existing Zoning:               R-70-R
 
Existing land use:              Vacant
 
Proposed land use:            Residential
 
Gross and Net area:           16.82 acres; 12.74 acres
 
Proposed number of lots:  66
 
Lot size:                             Max:    13,300 square feet
                                          Min:     7,005 square feet
 
Parkland requirements:     Parkland dedication requirements for this proposed plat is 1.401
acres.  The applicants are proposing to do a cash-in-lieu contribution for parkland.