The Planning Board is forwarding a recommendation of conditional approval of the preliminary plan of Western Sky Subdivision, Second Amended, Lot 5, Subdivision for Rent or Lease, and adoption of the Findings of Fact as presented in the staff report.

PROPOSED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
Pursuant to Section 76-3-608(4), MCA, the following conditions are recommended to reasonably minimize potential adverse impacts identified within the Findings of Fact.
 
1. To ensure the ability to place private utilities within the development, prior to final plan approval, the applicant will coordinate with private utility companies for placement of easements and provide those easement locations on the final plan.
2. To minimize the effects on local service, prior to final plan 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.  3. 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. 4. The final plan 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 August 3, 2020, Sanderson Stewart, agent for Western Sky Billings, LLC, applied for preliminary major plan approval for Western Sky Subdivision, Second Amended, Lot 5A, Subdivision for Rent or Lease. The proposed subdivision does not create any additional lots but does require review for creating 155 spaces for mobile homes to be placed on the existing lot. The subject property is generally located south of King Avenue West and east of South 48th Street West. The property is zoned Residential Manufactured Home (RMH). The proposed lot will be developed in compliance with the zoning. The Yellowstone County Board of Planning held a public hearing on September 22 and forwarded a recommendation to the City Council.

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

VARIANCES REQUESTED
No variance is being requested for this subdivision.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

• Pre-application meeting April 30, 2020
• Preliminary plan application submitted to Planning Division on August 3, 2020
• Departmental review meeting August 20, 2020
• Preliminary plan re-submittal August 27, 2020
• Planning Board plan review September 9, 2020
• Planning Board public hearing September 22, 2020
• Preliminary plan to City Council October 26, 2020
• 60 working-day preliminary plan review period ends October 28, 2020

PLAT INFORMATION
General location:                                South of King Avenue West and east of South 48th Street 
Legal Description:                              Western Sky Subdivision, Second Amended, Lot 5A 
Owner/Subdivider:                             Western Sky Billings, LLC
Engineer and Surveyor:                     Sanderson Stewart 
Existing Zoning:                                 RMH 
Existing land use:                               Vacant land
Proposed land use:                            Residential
Gross and Net area:                           5.8 acres / 5.8 acres
Proposed number of lots:                   1 lot / 155 spaces
Lot size:                                              Max:    28.2 acres
                                                           Min.:     28.2 acres
Parkland requirements:                      Parkland dedication will be met with a combination of private park area, public pedestrian/bike trails along south 48th Street West and along Hogan’s slough, and a cash in lieu contribution. 

Planning staff gave a brief presentation to the Planning Board about the proposed subdivision. Board President Woody Woods asked if there were any questions from the board for staff. Board member Cook asked if this project is similar to Golden Meadows.  Ms. Plecker stated this project is unique as the proposal is for a mix of housing types.  Board member Thompson asked regarding the parkland and noted the development holds a mixture of private and public parkland.  It was noted the pedestrian and bike trails along 48th Street West and Hogan’s Slough are Public and should be maintained by the City of Billings.  

President Woods asked if the applicant or applicants' agent would like to address the board. Bill Morgan representing Western Sky Billings, LLC, stated the parks connect to the trails through the development's internal streets.  They will be public linear parks and the Public Works Department or the Parks Department will maintain the trails.  The private park will be maintained and operated by the Homeowners‘ Association for the development.  Mr. Morgan also stated this development may have more connectivity than Golden Meadows as it showcases trail use.

There were no other questions. President Woods opened the public hearing for the proposed subdivision, there were no comments from the public about the subdivision.  The public hearing was closed. A motion was made to recommend conditional approval of the subdivision with the SIA and Findings of Fact, the motion was seconded.  The board voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

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(s), have 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 60 working days to act upon this major preliminary plan. The 60 working day review period for the proposed subdivision ends on October 28, 2020. State and City subdivision regulations also require that preliminary plats (Rent or Lease Plan in this case) 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 Plan

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