On August 1, 2018, Sanderson Stewart, agent for Gary Oakland, applied for preliminary major plat approval for Copper Ridge Subdivision, 8th Filing. The proposed subdivision creates 76 new lots for residential development. The subject property is generally located on the north side of Rimrock Road, east of 70th Street West, and west of the existing Copper Ridge Subdivision. The property is zoned Residential-5000 (R-50).

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 October 26, 2018. 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

VARIANCE REQUEST
No Variance has been requested.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

• A pre-application meeting was held on July 12, 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 conducted a public hearing on September 25, 2018, and forwarded 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 Rimrock Road and East of 70th Street West
Legal Description:             Lot 10, Block 3 & Lot 10, Block 5, Copper Ridge Subdivision, 7th Filing
Owner/Subdivider:            Gary Oakland
Engineer and Surveyor:    Sanderson Stewart
Existing Zoning:                R-50
Existing land use:             Vacant / Farmland
Proposed land use:          Residential
Gross and Net area:         35.99 acres; 31.50 acres
Proposed number of lots: 76
Lot size:                           Max: 17.66 acres Min: 6,648 square feet
Parkland requirements:   Parkland dedication requirements for this proposed plat is 1.52 acres. The applicant is proposing to do a cash-in-lieu contribution for parkland.

STAKEHOLDERS
Staff gave a brief presentation about the proposed subdivision.  Board President Darrel Tunnicliff asked if there were any questions for staff about the proposed subdivision. There were none.  Board President Darrel Tunnicliff asked if the applicant or the agent would like to stand and speak to the board.  Mr. Gary Oakland stood and made himself available for any questions the board members might have and there were none.  The public hearing was opened and no testimony was received.  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 passed unanimously.

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

The Planning Board is forwarding a recommendation of conditional approval of the preliminary plat of Copper Ridge Subdivision, 8th Filing 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 minimize the effects on local services and protect the health and safety of future residents, prior to final plat approval the applicant will submit to City Engineering for review and approval of the proposed water, sewer and storm water infrastructure to be used in Copper Ridge, 8th Filing.
2. To minimize effects on local services and to provide for sidewalks throughout the proposed subdivision, prior to final plat approval the applicant will include language in the SIA that states the developer will be responsible for installing sidewalk along the road frontage of Lot 9, Block 3 in the subdivision.
3. To ensure correct procedure for providing a cash in lieu contribution, prior to final plat approval the applicant will follow the Billings Subdivision Regulations Section 23-1006 to determine the correct procedure and amount of the contribution to the City for park land cash contribution.
4. To minimize the effects on local service, prior to final plat approval the applicant will coordinate with the USPS to determine what type of deliver system is preferred and to locate and provide the correct amount of space for safely delivering the mail to the residents.
5. 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.
6. 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.