Staff recommends the City Council approve the final plat of L.J. Wells Subdivision.

On July 18, 2025, Insite Engineering with Sanbell engineering, applied for final plat approval for L.J. Wells Subdivision. The proposed subdivision creates two (2) lots with commercial development already in place. The subject property is generally located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Central Avenue and Shiloh Road. The property is zoned Corridor Mixed Use 1 (CMU 1). Proposed Lot 1 has a Cenex Zip Trip service station on it. Proposed Lot 2 currently has a Soda Station on it.

Staff has reviewed the application using the Abbreviated Review process outlined in City of Billings Subdivision Regulations Section 23-305. It has been determined that the proposed plat meets all the requirements of subdivision. Staff is forwarding a recommendation of final plat approval to the City Council. Upon City Council approval, these documents are appropriate as to form for filing with the Clerk and Recorder.

The abbreviated review process qualifications are listed below.

Section 23-305. Subdivisions Qualifying for Abbreviated Review.
A. Eligibility. Subdivisions, hereafter referred to as abbreviated review plats containing one (1) or two (2) parcels are eligible for abbreviated review when:
1. They meet the definition of a first minor subdivision from a tract of record; and
This plat only creates two lots. The current legal description is: Lot 1-A, Block 2 of COS2727-M, AMD S03, T01 S, R25 E. The parcel has not been subdivided prior to this.
2. Legal and physical access to all lots is provided; and
Access is provided from Central Avenue and Shiloh Road.
3. No land in the subdivision will be dedicated to public use for parks or playgrounds; and
A two-lot minor is not required to provide parkland.
4. The plat has been approved by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality or County Environmental Health whenever approval is required or the plat has been approved by the City of Billings Public Works Department for sanitary water, sewer and storm water facilities; and
The City of Billings Public Works infrastructure for the two existing businesses is installed.
5. No public improvements are required.
No public improvements are required with this subdivision. Shiloh Road is built and there is an existing multi-use trail along the west side of Shiloh. Central Avenue has been built out to accommodate the roundabout at the Central Avenue and Shiloh Road intersection. There are no public improvements required at this time.
 

A public hearing is not scheduled for the City Council meeting; however, property owners may attend the City Council meeting and speak during the Public Comment Period. At this time, the Planning Division has received no public comments or questions regarding the proposed subdivision.

The City Council may approve or deny the final plat of L.J. Wells Subdivision. If the City Council chooses to deny the final plat, the denial must be because the criteria in Section 76-3-611, MCA are not met.

The criteria are as follows:76-3-611. Review of final plat.
(1) The governing body or the agent or agency designated by the governing body shall examine each final plat, and the governing body shall approve the plat only if:
     (a) it conforms to the conditions of approval set forth on the preliminary plat and to the terms of this chapter and (local) regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter; and
     (b) the county treasurer has certified that all real property taxes and special assessments assessed and levied on the land to be subdivided have been paid.

Staff finds the final plat is in compliance with the requirements of state statutes. City Council should approve the final plat.

The final plat of this subdivision will have no financial impact on the Planning Division.