On December 1, 2018, Sanderson Stewart, agent for Habitat for Humanity, applied for preliminary major plat approval for Founders Park Subdivision. The proposed subdivision creates 22 lots for residential development on a 5-acre parcel of land. The subject property is generally located approximately 340 feet south of Wicks Lane and on the east side of Hawthorne Lane in the Billings Heights. The property is zoned Residential-7,000 (R-70).

In accordance with state law, the City Council has 60 working days to act upon this major preliminary plat. The 60 working day review period for the proposed plat ends on March 1, 2019. State and City subdivision regulations also require 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 60 working day review period, the City Council is required to:
1. Approve;
2. Conditionally Approve; or
3. Deny the Preliminary Plat

VARIANCE REQUESTED
No variance has been requested.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

• A pre-application meeting was held on October 4, 2018 to discuss the proposal.
• The preliminary plat application was submitted to the Planning Division on December 1, 2018.
• A departmental review meeting was conducted on December 20, 2018.
• The preliminary plat was resubmitted with revisions based on department reviews on December 27, 2018.
• The Planning Board reviewed the plat on January 8, 2019.
• The Planning Board conducted a public hearing on January 22, 2019, and forwarded a recommendation to the City Council.
• The City Council will consider the preliminary plat on February 25, 2019.
• The 60 working-day preliminary plat review period ends March 1, 2019.

PLAT INFORMATION
General location:            South of Wicks Lane, approximately 340 feet, and on the east side of Hawthorne Lane
Legal Description:          COS 1335, Amended Tract 1
Owner/Subdivider:         Habitat for Humanity
Engineer and Surveyor: Sanderson Stewart, Bill Morgan
Existing Zoning:             R-70
Existing land use:          Vacant
Proposed land use:       Residential
Gross and Net area:     5 acres; 3.8 acres
Proposed number of lots: 22
Lot size: Max:              9,363 square feet Min: 7,001 square feet
Parkland requirements: Parkland dedication requirements for this proposed plat is 0.395 acres. The applicants are proposing to do a cash-in-lieu contribution for parkland.

STAKEHOLDERS
Staff gave a brief presentation about the proposed subdivision.  Board President Darell Tunnicliff asked if there were any questions for staff about the proposed subdivision. There was one question regarding whether this subdivision would be contributing to the improvements at the intersection of Wick Lane and Hawthorne Lane to help with intersection alignment.  Staff responded that this subdivision did not meet the threshold that would require a traffic study and so it would not be contributing any money to help reconfigure the intersection.

Board President Darell Tunnicliff asked if the applicant or the agent would like to stand and speak to the Board.  Mr. Woolyhand from Habitat for Humanity stood to speak about the mission of the organization and that this new subdivision would allow approximately 7 years worth of homes to be built for families.  He stated they build on average 3 homes per year.  There was a question for clarification on what sidewalks would be built by the developer.  Mr. Bill Morgan, agent, stood to respond that they will be building the curb gutter and sidewalk along Hawthorne Lane and into the subdivision past the detention pond on the front lot.  There were no other questions from the board.  The public hearing was open and one member from the public stood to ask if this subdivision would be putting in sidewalk on both sides of Hawthorne Lane.  Mr. Morgan stated that they will only be putting in sidewalk on the new subdivision side of the street. The public hearing was closed and a motion was made to forward a recommendation of conditional approval, including the Findings of Fact, to the City Council. The motion was seconded and received a unanimous vote.

If the City Council approves the preliminary plat, the subject property may further develop under private ownership, resulting in additional tax revenues.

The Planning Board is forwarding a recommendation of conditional approval of the preliminary plat of Founders Park Subdivision, to the City Council, and adoption of the Findings of Fact as presented in the staff report.

PROPOSED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
The Planning Board recommends the following conditions of approval:
1. To provide for the safe delivery of mail to the subdivision, prior to final plat approval the applicant will provide a letter from the USPS to show they have coordinated with the USPS and provided the correct and safe mail delivery system.
2. 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.
3. 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.