On April 3, 2017, Blueline Engineering, the agent for the owners, Richard and Mae Sartorie, applied for preliminary major plat approval for Sartorie Subdivision, 2nd Filing. The proposed subdivision creates 9 new lots for residential development. The subject property is generally located at 1880 Hawthorne Lane on the northwest corner of Hawthorne Lane and Kyhl Lane in the Billings Heights area. The property is zoned Residential-7000 (R-70). This property is in the County and is going through the annexation process. The City Council will consider the annexation before it acts on this preliminary plat. On May 3, 2017, the agent on behalf of the property owner, requested a 30-day delay of the application, which placed it on the June schedule for Planning Board review and public hearing and to the City Council in July.  The Yellowstone County Board of Planning conducted a public hearing on June 27th, 2017.

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 July 26, 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 60 working day review period, the City Council is required to:
1. Approve;
2. Conditionally Approve; or
3. Deny the Preliminary Plat.

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

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

• A pre-application meeting was held on November 10, 2016 to discuss the proposal.
• The preliminary plat application was submitted to the Planning Division on April 3, 2017.
• A departmental review meeting was conducted on April 20, 2017.
• On May 3, 2017 the agent for the property owner requested a 30-day delay.
• The preliminary plat was resubmitted with revisions, based on department reviews, on May 25, 2017.
• The Planning Board reviewed the plat on June 13, 2017.
• The Planning Board conducted a public hearing on June 27, 2017, and forward a recommendation to the City Council.
• The City Council will consider the preliminary plat on July 24, 2017.
• The 60 working-day preliminary plat review period ends July 26, 2017.

 
PLAT INFORMATION
 
General location:                              1880 Hawthorne Lane on the northwest corner of Hawthorne Lane and Kyhl Lane
 
Legal Description:                             Certificate of Survey 840, Parcel 2B-2, Amended; Section 14, Township 1N, and Range 24E
 
Owner/Subdivider:                             Richard Jr. & Mae Sartorie
 
Engineer and Surveyor:                     Blueline Engineering
 
Existing Zoning:                                R-70
 
Existing land use:                             Vacant/Farm
 
Proposed land use:                            Single-family residential
 
Gross area:                                        2.33 acres
 
Proposed number of lots:                    9
 
Lot size:                                            Max:    10,040 square feet
                                                         Min.:    7,296 square feet
 
Parkland requirements:                       Parkland requirements for the 2^nd Filing:  0.19 acres
                                                         The applicant is proposing to make a cash contribution for parkland dedication.
 
Variance requested:                            No variances have been requested.
 

A brief presentation was given to the Planning Board by Planning Staff.  There were no question from Planning Board members. 

Planning Board President Tunnicliff opened the public hearing, there was no one to speak in favor or opposition of the application.  The public hearing was closed.  A motion to forward a recommendation of conditional approval was made and seconded.  The Planning Board voted unanimously to approve the motion.