Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutYellowstone CO CommissionersYeNwNffine 6'otuetry COMMISSIONERS (406) 256-2701 (406) 256-2777 (FAX) August 30, 2000 rhe Honorable Charles Rodgers, Mayor City of Laurel PO Box 20 Laurel, MT 59044 Dr. John Smith, Chair Laurel Airport Authority Board PO Box 1026 Laurel, MT 59044 Dear Mayor Rodgers and Dr. Smith: P.O. Box 35000 Billings, MT 59107-5000 in `'C E0VE SEP ' 1 D 2000 CITY OF LAUREL The Board of County Commissioners have been notified that the City of Laurel is beginning the process of annexing the Laurel Airport, at the request of the Laurel Airport Authority, under the provisions of MCA §7-24402. This statute allows the annexation of contiguous government property upon request by the administrative head of the particular government. On August 23, 2000, Cal Cumin, Laurel City Planner, attended our Forum meeting to provide us with the preliminary process of the annexation. It is our understanding that Yellowstone County will be requested to petition the City of Laurel to annex the portion of Laurel Airport Road from its intersection with Buffalo Trail Road to the intersection of the main Laurel Airport entrance road. In attendance at that meeting, were some of the affected lessee's of the Airport. They voiced concerns regarding the lack of public notice, lack of involvement in the process, and a general lack of information. We have attached the portion of the minutes of that meeting which pertain to that issue, which will outline their concerns. The Board of County Commissioners would ask that during this process, not only are we notified of any and all Airport Authority, City Planning, and City Council meetings regarding the issue of the Airport Annexation, but also that all affected landowners, lessee's and citizens be notified as well so they may be a part of the process. Thank you for your consideration of our request and please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments. Sincerely, J mes A. Ziegler, r., it r, of County ssioners Yellowstone County, Montana Enclosure Cc: Cal Cumin, Laurel City Planner FORUM RECAP AUGUST 23, 2000 Old Business: The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) was placed on the Friday, August 25 agenda. If you have not read the document, and would like more time to review it, please let Ziggy know so he can remove it from the agenda. New Business: 1. Laurel Airport - Annexation Cal stated that this is still in the preliminary planning stages. This issue will be governed by the Laurel Airport Authority and the Laurel City Council, as it is a Laurel Planning issue. The County's involvement will be to petition for annexation of 1/2 mile of Laurel Airport (Buffalo Trail) Road. Cal did not know how the Airport Authority would notify landowners and lessees of the meetings, but that public notices for the Laurel Planning Board hearings and City Council Meetings would be in the Laurel Newspaper. It has been requested that the County provide maintenance on the road after it is annexed. Public Works has concerns with that request. There were some residents that were allowed to comment on the issue. They are as follows: Bob Redding: Owns two large hangers and was one of the originators of the Laurel Airport. He stated that this issue has not been discussed at Laurel Airport Authority meetings, and the lessee's at the Airport have had to hear it through the grapevine. He is opposed to the annexation. Rich McKamy: The problem has been a lack of communication between the Airport and the local farmers and landowners. Everyone needs to consider that this Airport is growing and could potentially become a City/County Airport. He asked to have the advantages and disadvantages of the annexation clarified. Are services being denied because the Airport is not contiguous to the City? Rex Hafer: The Airport Authority does not have a problem notifying Lessee's when the rent goes up, so they have the addresses to notify them of these proceedings. Bob Roods: If this annexation proceeds, there could be SID's attached to the properties involved. What will that do to their taxes? They are already paying more for their ground to own/rent their hangars than the Airport is. What are the pros and cons of this annexation? They need to get the information to the people. Tony Nave questioned the legality of annexing only a portion of a road, and not the adjoining properties. Ziggy thanked everyone for their input, and notified them that he would send a copy of these minutes to Mr. Smith. The next step is to receive a formal request for a petition of the road. Ziggy notified those in attendance that the Commissioners and our Public Works department would be in attendance at meetings and hearings regarding this issue, to ensure we are fully informed. 2. Sale of a Portion of Hillner Park Cal Cumin reported that Hillner Park was developed and maintained by the Lockwood Lions Club. For a number of reasons, it is falling into a state of disrepair, and it is a struggle to maintain it in its' present