Staff recommends conditional approval of the preliminary plat of Lake Hills Subdivision, 21st Filing Amended Lots 8-9, Block 51 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 minimize the effects on local service, prior to final plat approval, the applicant will coordinate with the USPS for locating and providing the correct amount of space for safely delivering the mail to the residents. 
 
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.

On September 1, 2020, WWC Engineering, agent for Ron Hill and Schneiter Enterprises, applied for preliminary minor plat approval for Lake Hills Subdivision, 21st Filing Amended Lots 8-9, Block 51. The proposed subdivision creates 3 lots from the existing 2 lots for residential development. The subject property is generally located on the west end of Winged Foot Drive where it intersects with Greenbriar Road.  The property is zoned Residential 9600 (R96). The proposed lots will be developed in compliance with the zoning as the property is developed.

Consistency with the 2016 Growth Policy, the 2018 Transportation Plan and Billings Area Bikeways and Trail Master Plan are discussed within the Findings of Fact which is attached to this report.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY 

• Pre-application meeting June 25, 2020
• Preliminary plat application submitted to Planning Division on September 1, 2020
• Preliminary plat to City Council October 12, 2020
• 35 working-day preliminary plat review period ends October 22, 2020

PLAT INFORMATION
General location:                                West end of Winged Foot Drive where it intersects with Greenbriar Road
Legal Description:                              Lake Hills Subdivision, 21st Filing, Amended Lots 8-9, Block 51
Owner/Subdivider:                              Ron Hill / Schneiter Enterprises
Engineer and Surveyor:                      WWC Engineering
Existing Zoning:                                 R96
Existing land use:                                Vacant Land
Proposed land use:                              Residential development
Gross and Net area:                             5.91 acres / 5.91 acres
Proposed number of lots:                      3
Lot size:                                               Max:   16,994 square feet
                                                            Min:    10,517 square feet
Parkland requirements:                       Parkland dedication is not required with minor subdivisions.

A public hearing is not scheduled for the City Council meeting; however nearby property owners may attend the City Council meeting.  The Planning Division has received no public comments or questions regarding the proposed subdivision.

One of the purposes of the City’s subdivision review process is to identify potential negative effects of property being subdivided. When negative effects are identified it is the subdivider’s responsibility to mitigate those effects.

Various City departments, private service/utility providers and the affected school district has reviewed this application and provided input on effects and mitigation.  The Findings of Fact, which are presented as an attachment, discuss potential negative impacts of the subdivision and conditions of approval are recommended as measures to further mitigate any impacts. In this case, there were found to be minimal impacts from this proposed subdivision.

In accordance with state law, the City Council has 35 working days to act upon this minor preliminary plat. The 35 working day review period for the proposed plat ends on October 22, 2020. 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 35 working day review period, the City Council is required to:
1. Approve;
2. Conditionally Approve; or
3. Deny the Preliminary Plat

Approval of this subdivision does not impact the Planning Division budget.