HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity/County Planning Board Minutes 12.20.2023
MINUTES
CITY OF LAUREL
CITY/COUNTY PLANNING BOARD
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2023
MEMBERS PRESENT
Forrest Sanderson called for roll call,
Roger Giese
Ron Benner
Richard Herr
Richard Klose
Jon Klasna
Gavin Williams
Judy Goldsby
Staff,
Kurt Markegard
Forrest Sanderson
Brittnay Harakal
Others attended and some signed in on a sign-in sheet in lobby.
Public Input:
No Public Comments on non-agenda items.
Discloser of Ex Parte Communication
Public Hearing
1. Judy went over the process for the growth management plan that the Yellowstone County
Commissioners had tasked the Planning Board to update for Laurel-Yellowstone City-
County Growth Management Plan 2023 Update. Judy introduced Kurt Markegard to open
the public hearing and Kurt gave a brief review of the Growth Management Plan update and
the county and city resolutions. Kurt explained that the planning board has had numerous
meetings throughout the summer. Workshop meetings that were publicly noticed in YCN.
This meeting was noticed in YCN and Laurel Outlook. We have received over 200
comments. There are some comments that the board may want to consider. Kurt asked that
everyone is given due respect. Kurt turned the meeting back over to the chair.
Judy asked that with the number of people at the meeting Judy asked for a three-minute time
limit. Judy asked for people to come to the podium and introduce themselves and their
address. The meeting was record and the minutes will indicate when on the recording when
members of the public spoke to the planning board. See recording for comments.
a. Steve Krum, 24th avenue, -14 minutes until 17 minutes 29 seconds.
b. Barb Emineth, 501 Alder Ave,- 17 minutes 40 seconds until 20 minutes and 30 seconds.
c. Pricilla Bell, 1310 Wild Horse Drive, - 20 minutes and 40 seconds until 23 minutes and
53 seconds
d. Carol Blades, 1809 Denitis Lane – 24 minutes and 0 seconds until 26 minutes and 0
seconds.
e. Cara Ronan, 1721 Nicolas Lane and Seitz Ronan. – 26 minutes and 15 seconds until 31
minutes and 0 seconds.
f. Zack Ditie –1721 Nicolas Lane – 31 minutes and 5 seconds until 33 minutes 15 seconds.
g. Kasey Felder, 1434 McMullan Lane – 33 minutes and 25 seconds until 34 minutes 41
seconds. Walked away from the microphone so hard to hear her testimony.
h. Katie Harrison, 2901 6th Ave S. Billings, MEIC – 34 minutes and 55 seconds until 38
minutes and 14 seconds.
i. Mike Penfold, 3552 Prestwick Rd, -38 minutes and 38 seconds until 40 minutes and 55
seconds.
j. Kris Glen, 209 Yellowstone Ave, -41 minutes and 10 seconds until 44 minutes and 20
seconds.
k. Mary Fitzpatrick, 631 Clark, -44 minutes 35 seconds until 46 minutes until 46 minutes 47
seconds.
l. Aaron Felder 1434 McMullan, -46 minutes and 55 seconds until 48 minutes and 10
seconds.
m. Julie Holzer, 16 South Platt Red Lodge, - 48 minutes and 25 seconds until 51 minutes and
29 seconds.
n. Larry Bean, 2905 Harrow Drive Billings, -51 minutes and 42 seconds until 55 minutes
and 2 seconds.
o. Heather Calderwood, 101 Cottonseed Ln, 55 minutes and 40 seconds until 58 minutes
and 20 seconds.
Kurt explained that the public hearing is to gather public testimony and is not to be engaged with the
public at this time.
Ron Benner asked the chair to be excused as he has a prior engagement and will review the minutes.
Ron left at 59 minutes and 30 seconds.
p. Jessie Gallagos, 1358 Windmill Circle, 59 minutes and 35 seconds until 60 minutes and
15 seconds.
q. Adele Honor, 1109 Delphinium Billings, 60 minutes and 30 seconds until 63 minutes and
25 seconds.
r. Mitchell Werbell, representing NWE, Land use Attorney, 63 minutes and 45 seconds
until 66 minutes and 57 seconds.
s. Patrick Certain, West of Laurel, 67 minutes and 14 seconds until 67 minutes and 55
seconds.
t. Karen Stears, 311 Parkhill Drive, 68 minutes and 10 seconds until 71 minutes 20
seconds.
u. Phil Gibert, 320Fairway View Drive, 71 minutes and 25 seconds until 73 minutes and 20
seconds.
v. Lori Herman, 175 South Magelssen Rd, 73 minutes and 35 seconds until 74 minutes and
50 seconds.
w. Gilbert Berdett, S 56th Street, 75 minutes and 10 seconds until 77 minutes 50 seconds.
x. Dawn Calderwood, East of Laurel, 78 minutes and 15 seconds until 78 minutes and 59
seconds.
Judy asked three times if anyone else would like to speak and seeing none she closed the public
hearing at 79 minutes at 25 seconds or at 7:19 pm.
Judy moved to take a break to let people that wanted to leave could, but Forrest wanted to ask the
chair to deviate from the meeting agenda so that the Public Hearing on the Growth Policy could be
followed by the growth management policy discussion and possible action.
The meeting was in recess from 82 minutes until 90 minutes and 5 seconds. Judy called the meeting
back to order.
Forrest asked if the members of the board wanted to adjust the agenda so that discussion could take
place on the item with members of the public present. Gavin motion to adjust agenda at 91 minutes
at 40 seconds Klose seconded the motion and after no discussion the vote 6-0.
New Business item #5
5. Klose move to table the resolution to recommend the update to the growth policy by
January 17th, 2024, and Gavin seconded the motion. Judy asked for public comment on the tabling
motion and Percilla Bell volunteered to help for the next meeting. Cara Ronan asked if there was any
more discussion tonight and Judy said that no more discussion will take place tonight. Gil Burdett
ask to move to February. Kurt clarified that there was already a motion to table the issue to January
meeting and clarified that this is not a zoning issue. Kurt asked to have comments for the growth
management policy at future meetings on the policy and explained that the board has three choices to
either approve, amend, or reject the update on the policy. Kurt explained that the plan is an update
for the betterment of the entire community. Kurt thanked the public for its participation. Steve
Krum spoke about the growth policy. Forrest reminded the board that they could table the policy
again in January. The vote wat 6-0 to move the growth policy recommendation to January 17th,
2024.
Public Hearing
2. Yellowstone County Subdivision Regulations started at 1 hour and 46 minutes and 30
seconds.
Kurt explained the reasons why the County wants to reaffirm the current subdivision regulations that
were adopted in 2017 and match what we are currently doing for subdivision regulations around the
City of Laurel.
Judy opened the public comment for the subdivision regulations.
Percilla Bell 1310 Wildhorse Drive, Water issues clay soil. Mandated that soil testing is performed
and passed. She spoke from 1 hour 48 minutes until 1 hour 48 minutes and 32 seconds.
Michael Cantrell 1950 Saddleback Drive. Spoke from 1 hour 48 minutes and 41 seconds until 1 hour
51 minutes.
Kurt explained that if citizens have some questions, they could ask staff or the board.
Judy asked 3 times for any more comments. Judy closed the public hearing at 1 hour and 52
minutes.
Public Hearing
3. Zoning Regulations for the City of Laurel 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Kurt explained that the City of Laurel received a grant to amend the zoning regulations for the City
of Laurel. The city hired KLJ engineering to write the new zoning ordinances and then Forrest
Sanderson left KLJ and started his own business Peaks Planning. Forrest is subcontracted to KLJ
and Forrest started speaking at 1 hour 55 minutes and 5 seconds of the changes to the zoning for
Laurel City limits. Forrest finished introducing the item of city zoning at 2 hours and 10 minutes at
35 seconds.
Judy asked for public comments on the zoning.
Steve Krum asked questions about the map. He spoke from 2 hours and 11 minutes and 31 seconds
until 2 hours 14 minutes. Forrest helped clarify some of Steve’s comments.
Aaron Felder got up to speak about the zoning but sat down once he realized that this had nothing to
do with county properties.
Judy closed the public hearing at 2 hours 14 minutes and 47 seconds.
General Items
4. Minutes
Gavin moved to approve the minutes from the November meeting Klose seconded the motion and
the vote 6-0.
New Business
6. Yellowstone County Subdivision Regulations requested by the County Commissioners
Kurt introduced the item at 2 hours 15 minute and 56 seconds. Kurt explained the subdivision
regulations and the history of the County approving the subdivision regulations. Kust also explained
the fee schedule for subdivisions and exempt plats. Kurt had not received any comments or emails
about the subdivision regulations.
Gavin motioned to approve the subdivision regulations for the County and Klose seconded the
motion. Forrest stated that now the board could have a discussion. No discussion from the board so
Judy asked for public comments on the motion.
Priscilla Bell spoke at 2 hours 23 minutes and 20 seconds about ag land being subdivided with wells.
What is going to happen after this. How do we offer police fire and ambulance. Boundaries? In MT
developer complete environmental assessment that is submitted with subdivision take care of water,
sewer, stormwater.
Forrest answered the questions Prisilla Bell asked and he spoke about the DEQ having the power to
look at subdivision regulations.
Kasey Felder spoke from 2 hours 26 minutes and 28 seconds and asked if the regulations are tied to
growth policy. She asked if it would be wise to postpone the regulations.
Forrest answered her questions and stated.
Steve Krum spoke at 2 hours 27 minutes and 50 seconds. Indicated that there is too much
information being presented tonight.
Kurt stated that there are statutory regulations to process land subdivisions and that the County did
adopt the subdivision regulation in 2017 but didn’t have the proper record in place.
Judy asked for a vote on the motion at 2 hours 33 minutes and 52 seconds. The vote was 6-0.
7. Motion for City of Laurel Zoning Regulations. 2 hours 34 minutes and 30 seconds.
Gavin moved to approve the Laurel zoning regulations as presented and Richad Herr seconded the
motion.
Judy asked for any discussion or public comments. There was no discussion, and the vote was 6-0
Will be forwarded to Council.
8. Yellowstone County's request to consider Zoning Regulations around Laurel in the planning
jurisdiction started at 2 hours 36 minutes.
Kurt informed the board that Yellowstone County wants to have adopt zoning as what was thought
around Laurel. Kurt asked the board to move this item to a further date to discuss the zoning in the
county. Kurt asked Forrest to give the board more information about zoning that the county wants to
adopt. Forrest went over part 1 and part 2 zoning regulations. Kurt read the zoning resolution to the
planning board that the County sent over to this board. Forrest also believed the public had a right to
know about what is being adopted. Kurt explained that we are still waiting for a Judge to decide
who has jurisdiction around Laurel. If the judge rules that that if the City has jurisdiction that this is
a moot point.
Kasy Felder spoke at 2 hours 53 minutes and 33 seconds. She asked about the judge’s ruling and her
opinion is that this isn’t right.
Kurt asked Kasy a question about the judges ruling and what to do it they find that there is no zoning
around Laurel.
Steve Krum spoke at 2 hours 54 minutes and 50 seconds. Steve said that having no zoning is an
assumption.
Gavin asked about going to a public hearing. Forrest stated that the County is trying to go for part 2
zoning. Forrest went on to say that the County’s desires are noble but thought maybe interim zoning
may be a better way to process zoning.
Kurt went over the interlocal agreement and said that the agreement is silent about zoning.
Gavin moved to table the discussion on county zoning.
Gavin motion to table to until discussion until Jan 17 and Roger seconded the motion. Roger asked
Kurt to reach out and ask why this zoning is moving forward. Forrest asked if the board wanted to
amend the motion to have staff reach out to and talk to the County. The motion was amended to
have staff reach out and get clarification. Kurt explained that he put this on the agenda for the board
to discuss and will get more information. Kurt explained that marijuana businesses are being kicked
out of Billings and they are calling to find out where they can be around Laurel. Kurt explained the
city adopted zoning for marijuana, but the county has not for around Laurel.
The motion passed 6-0.
9. Schedule of Fees and Charges for Planning Items. Exempt plat fees changed by the Montana
Legislature. This item started at 3 hours and 12 minutes and 45 seconds.
Kurt explained the fees for exempt plat for inside the City of Laurel should go from $200.00 to
$400.00. Kurt said that we need this for the City’s update to their schedules of fees and charges.
Klose moved to approve the changes from $200.00 to $400.00 for exempt plat. Gavin seconded the
motion. Jon asked if there are any other fees that need to be charged. Kurt explained that there were
no other fees at this time. Kurt also stated there is time that it takes to process planning items and
that fees need to cover the items to take care of planning items.
6-0.
Old Business
Other Items
10. Next City/County Planning Board Meeting will be held on January 17, 2024.
The next meeting will be held on the 17th of January.
It was moved by Gavin and seconded by Herr to adjourn the meeting. All were in favor 6-0 meeting
ended at 3 hours 16 minutes and 40 seconds.
These minutes are supplemental to the audio/video recording.