[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6052986,"mediaKeyId","3377247-1590928257cf9d8f5ed28d34a7b18637","parentId",3377247,"title","Gallatin County approves three family transfer exemptions for small residential lots","audioSeconds",1919,"startMs",1046000,"endMs",2965000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3377247-1590928257cf9d8f5ed28d34a7b18637&start=1046&end=2965","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3377247-1590928257cf9d8f5ed28d34a7b18637/thumbnail_1046000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6052986/Gallatin-County/Montana/Gallatin-County-approves-three-family-transfer-exemptions-for-small-residential-lots","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052986-a9db6c84a7765878e192e8ab082494f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1773678955&Signature=kGqp8NuNA1zWNxauzxf-ZDle9KU67QANOgtCchXPTSv1j7AkZpqoxz4K-n5RbjHrrzyzX3ZSNTE2jYDftbaAwDCnRzVaxHmbkbHse3s9z~HEbV-dregOMnhip2aYE4Z5OrfAOonHv0Tg4aOkzhZwY0wpG7KZ7-cVwcwUxyj9Bu1WoSvSrteRv2vCZI7fw5Fw6SiUSIEmKXPb3SAQFTj5xVu0B6xqB8UKjlmi6u2FPaCyQj9WwapAVyPFbu7aku3jmxz3h75fn0n5ciK6uoQ8CtOJ0PUGYEERQyuqdUsQmymTVzYFm5LJHKNmLvcmknriKot-VLa-6fvaOUc6gu3dQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MT / Gallatin County ","date","2025-05-13T00:00:00Z","article","The Gallatin County Commission on May 13 approved three family transfer exemptions, allowing property owners to create residential parcels to transfer to immediate family members.

Michelle Franks requested an exemption to create a roughly 1.5-acre parcel for her son, Jackson Bailey. During the hearing Franks testified she has owned the property for more than two years and said, \"He's going to live there\" and that construction would begin in spring 2026. County staff recommended approval after reviewing the application against subdivision regulation criteria and confirming the parent tract's historical status.

Donald Thomas Durban sought two transfers from a larger parcel to his adult children. Planner Haley Heiner told the commission the proposal would create two parcels of roughly 4.058 acres and 3.994 acres for his daughter and son, respectively, and that the claimant provided plans indicating intent to build within two years. Durban told commissioners his daughter already has a house on one parcel and his son plans to start construction as soon as the transfer is approved.

Mitchell and Cynthia Nelson requested a one-lot family transfer creating a 5.04-acre parcel for their son, Levi Nelson. Levi spoke during the hearing and said he intends to build and that gaining a place to house his children would enable more frequent custody visits. The applicant said the son does not own other property in Gallatin County and intends to build within two years.

County staff entered reports and health department comments into the record for each application. Commissioners reviewed findings and adopted staff recommendations, making the required factual findings that each transfer met the criteria under Gallatin County subdivision regulations and that the transfers would not create a pattern of development or require new public roads or utility easements.

Motions to approve each family transfer exemption were made and approved on voice votes. Commissioners noted applicants provided building plans or testimony that construction is planned within the statutory two-year window for family transfer exemptions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Gallatin County Commission May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","On May 13 the Gallatin County Commission approved three family transfer exemptions that will allow property owners to divide parcels and transfer them to immediate family members who plan to use them as residences.","taxTitle","Gallatin County, Montana","taxId",48744,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6052976,"Commission approves Vista Alaura preliminary plat, grants variance for road dedication",7127,8351000,1223092,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3377247-1590928257cf9d8f5ed28d34a7b18637&start=8351&end=1223","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3377247-1590928257cf9d8f5ed28d34a7b18637/thumbnail_8351000.jpg","/articles/6052976/Gallatin-County/Montana/Commission-approves-Vista-Alaura-preliminary-plat-grants-variance-for-road-dedication","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052976-30c7caa7b5418d0b64253fa26d363e0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773678955&Signature=YK0MabNQ2q7KrfNBGXZ-dnlwH7KRODmmlH5WMCQgz6LTTDRVEpNzH7ZjLesc4qYqh2OlwbKr~RtA0nc4GB4nCFcSr-JnW6JQhqKZAb95EzYqIdsZ7WjkIFFgU54cJS~DUk8FcuvvMbiX~IroO1yU4hXMLx~nhTmSG8i4gL8QaePTW10QkMYbNifpoyvZAi2-d7406jRpvOs37LOp1ysd0ueIwTL6eVdL-auGuxykJaUlm7EZKC17Yd3eC4nS4ivYrHkpxlif4LKMaVgkR~Z7rLJXoJd4PUNHIxWzbqfO3b7mrHyHtAX5qin~xiKWH0JWB72nKMfOEju-lyNJCo71rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gallatin County Commission on May 13 approved the preliminary plat for the Vista Alaura minor subdivision, granted a variance from the county transportation standards, and attached conditions intended to protect public safety, water use and wildlife movement.

Christopher Scott of Gallatin County Planning presented the application. The proposal subdivides a 62.61-acre parcel in the Middle Cottonwood zoning district into three lots of approximately 20 acres each, with access for two northern lots provided by a new public road called Vista Lower Lane and the southern lot accessed from Glory Lane. Scott said the subdivision is outside the Deer Winter Range overlay and that the zoning permits one dwelling per 20 acres in the AR (agricultural rural residential) district.

Applicant representatives told the commission the developer will dedicate a 60-foot road easement and build a full gravel road to county standards. The subdivision includes a proposed 10,000-gallon water storage tank and pressurized hydrant for fire protection, and covenants that increase some setbacks to 70 feet and propose five-acre building envelopes. The applicant also proposed water meters and monitoring to limit exempt well use to approximately 3.3 acre-feet per lot per year.

Neighbors raised concerns about the road alignment and a historic irrigation feature called the Davis Ditch. One neighbor said the dogleg access off Saddle Mountain Road runs behind several existing homes and asked that the road location be reconsidered. Planning staff noted a discrepancy in records regarding the ditch: DNRC abstracts show some historic irrigation rights associated with Davis Ditch, while the applicant's consultants reported the ditch had been used mainly for seasonal runoff; the applicant said it would extend and maintain the existing culvert to preserve conveyance.

Commissioners voted to grant the transportation-standards variance, finding strict compliance would be an undue hardship and that the variance is not detrimental to public health, safety or adjoining properties given the local configuration. The commission then approved the preliminary plat with staff-recommended conditions and added one clarifying condition requiring the final plat to show building envelopes and that the northern lot's building envelope be south of the centerline of the proposed cul-de-sac. Staff will require recordation of covenants, compliance with environmental-health requirements for septic and well permits, and execution of road maintenance agreements for Glory Lane.

The approval included conditions requiring coordination with the Central Valley Fire District on the water tank and hydrant, preparation of final engineering and road construction plans to county standards, and adherence to monitoring limits for exempt well use. The applicant and county staff will address the remaining technical items before final plat recording.","Gallatin County commissioners approved the preliminary plat and granted a transportation-standards variance May 13 allowing a three-lot subdivision served by a new 60-foot easement road, subject to conditions on fire protection, water-use monitoring and building envelope placement.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6052981,"Commission directs staff to pursue menu and growth-area approaches to zoning reform after public input",2024,2966000,4990000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3377247-1590928257cf9d8f5ed28d34a7b18637&start=2966&end=4990","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3377247-1590928257cf9d8f5ed28d34a7b18637/thumbnail_2966000.jpg","/articles/6052981/Gallatin-County/Montana/Commission-directs-staff-to-pursue-menu-and-growth-area-approaches-to-zoning-reform-after-public-input","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052981-2f844869a46154aea9dee5eab287ac81/orig.mp4?Expires=1773678955&Signature=D310ZbJ2SSvdR0JfBqsjb4bTNmwpsXXIcw44yAorbc3o5bfw8zHynh3KrkAh-80hvcDQmCt6T9NUs6hmqEgQoBS9TjINY~wFFkUhG~YHgXPSSZKyGRiwvsdBGi7Qx5amR3aN307YK2uHtGzR17MyaNURS2iUY0uDpf~i~FrB0vojK~PrrzgFFpOddvCMeY5wWhjMU0Az17T7NZZIzb5-REG2TbrA9h6Pwf1AXnq8ne2VHdwTgHRMbtDdkEsXZop1y0T8fUovrS0ob4BbT0lduNmwYsDKAjqZCvC8RmSEG1fVSil09UQ0hYcGIffLkbgGNSPIVrVAnmjjwEC2V9PF7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","After a series of public listening sessions, the Gallatin County Commission on May 13 directed county planning staff to research and report back on a narrower set of zoning reform options, with an emphasis on a \"zoning menu\" for new citizen-led districts and targeted growth-area reforms.

Sean O'Callaghan, the county's chief planning officer, told the commission the listening sessions and a subsequent debrief had produced a wide range of public comment and that staff presented eight broad options in a public \"zoning reform spectrum.\" O'Callaghan described the work so far as an early-stage public engagement effort and said any direction from the commission would not be a final decision but would guide more detailed study and outreach.

Commissioners expressed broad agreement that some change was needed from the status quo but were united in protecting existing zoning districts. Commissioners signaled support for staff to investigate option 3 (a menu or toolkit that would give communities a standard set of zoning choices to apply) and option 4 (growth-area focused reforms that target high-pressure parts of the county). Several commissioners said they opposed countywide consolidated zoning under the Montana Land Use and Planning Act and opposed a no-zoning approach.

Members of the public offered a range of perspectives. Walter Nixon and other residents urged limits on countywide zoning and cautioned about perceived threats to property rights. Other speakers, including Virginia Kelly and Allison Faye, urged the county to continue studying zoning reform and to expand outreach; speakers from established zoning districts (for example, Spring Hill) urged preserving existing district rules and noted the role of local zoning in addressing wildfire risk and water issues.

O'Callaghan told the commission staff will proceed with additional analysis and targeted community engagement for the options the commission wishes to explore, including more robust outreach to unzoned areas. Commissioners asked staff to return with implementation details, cost estimates and proposals for public engagement before any formal zoning changes are proposed.

The commission paused the discussion for a short break after the item.","Gallatin County commissioners directed planning staff May 13 to study a limited set of zoning reform approaches \u00009\u00009\u00009—notably a standardized \"menu\" for new citizen-led zoning districts and targeted growth-area reforms—after public listening sessions and a debrief.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6052990,"Commission creates Summit Subdivision RID to fund Nash Road maintenance",219,781000,1000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3377247-1590928257cf9d8f5ed28d34a7b18637&start=781&end=1000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3377247-1590928257cf9d8f5ed28d34a7b18637/thumbnail_781000.jpg","/articles/6052990/Gallatin-County/Montana/Commission-creates-Summit-Subdivision-RID-to-fund-Nash-Road-maintenance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052990-b2dee3e9df0d9058f1e99ea89323fe17/orig.mp4?Expires=1773678955&Signature=bQPS16HGJITvhCIyEddDQMSUx2A5MJe3SQ3cViybDsu~q~8uBi5~nUjYiUXfODT-sdV1CRTZ8EBbUuMHYGlm2s-FqWv5BhCr3qH0NADhz9Qu4ndkEXsHY0FaVc3lVHx~Tx7o7OCCS6P50XsB6b6hXuWMDtdVUjTIx0auGX4i2nOoDGt7lCd8Jyw4Bf-5OdBfFL1OgDsUbYFZ909FuXPeN5g3o864EvPMdVBMGQP0Gp9MzcUbR5bEABBwb3rrjBbvI1KfAemieEjD7XcvXp89JB~GiwPyRmdQxcNQPc7T7rNTwW8pPFy7XeKQskYDKw4S8HMUBmDaeErN2zHTZwE-5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gallatin County Commission on May 13 created Rural Improvement District (RID) No. 2627, the Summit Subdivision RID, to fund maintenance of a portion of Nash Road for properties in the new subdivision.

James Nicholson, rural improvement district program manager, said the district was formed by petition from a single owner who is also the subdivision developer. \"Maintenance will include all the long term and short term pavement maintenance work as well as miscellaneous items such as signs,\" Nicholson said. He told commissioners the district's first assessment payment is scheduled for November 2026.

County staff estimated assessments at approximately $419 per lot per year, with an annual increase of roughly 3 percent. Nicholson said ongoing maintenance will be funded by reserves and periodic assessments as provided in the district's financing plan. The developer plans to file the final plat later this spring or early summer; according to staff the subdivision roads are currently under construction.

A commissioner moved to adopt resolution RID2025-037 to create the maintenance district; the motion passed on voice vote.

Nicholson also noted the resolution includes a provision to expand the RID to include a portion of Nash Road that will be constructed by the adjacent Owl Creek Subdivision when that plat is filed, simplifying later administrative steps if needed.","Gallatin County established Rural Improvement District 2627 at the request of a single property owner/developer to fund maintenance of a portion of Nash Road; assessments are estimated at about $419 per lot per year with the first payment set for November 2026.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6052995,"Gallatin County awards RID paving contracts for 2025 road maintenance program",243,535000,778000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3377247-1590928257cf9d8f5ed28d34a7b18637&start=535&end=778","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3377247-1590928257cf9d8f5ed28d34a7b18637/thumbnail_535000.jpg","/articles/6052995/Gallatin-County/Montana/Gallatin-County-awards-RID-paving-contracts-for-2025-road-maintenance-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052995-e0c5a5cf5c53600e3bac11783d5928be/orig.mp4?Expires=1773678955&Signature=FehCUuuyNSYqmRW97ZTqWT37WPG77VWFxx7OGcI8s-r0P5J0wCI755yaZ4u5jKmvagx9eUakvJgKTaBEsejZRy6Xo1NAM-BDH5qfNgOnwmfMClUIIL3XdRCVVOfV1VwDe~z8~RzgYUzJDw6-9G3v0zmES5XfQRrsGk1t8PABnrr2Jy5S3RIXMgsQHn2reBpLBzFHTKHFZsFT4AHuS70W2QuuWscUTB4-g3bylxqnJ2ZGp98tuz~JGT2TceIDM7WH6RLmgYxTtQZn-pyeCNu1MJHuQfZ6tbIm9~87BPlfBj5lVArBILjSebX-dOYNPQ3rfLrw1X22~mKV46O2He8jqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gallatin County Commission approved contracts May 13 for the 2025 Rural Improvement District paving and road maintenance program, awarding the majority of work to Hoffman's R and M Services Inc. and select schedules to CK May Excavation.

James Nicholson, rural improvement district program manager with Morris Merrelly, told the commission the county received five bids and that most districts came in within budget, with the exception of Spain Bridge Meadows. \"All the districts came in within budget with the exception of Spain Bridge Meadows,\" Nicholson said, and staff proposed using contingencies to cover the shortfall. Nicholson read the recommended award that would allocate $1,380,468 to Hoffman's R and M Services (with schedule 5 limited to $225,000) and $194,598 to CK May Excavation for schedules 7–9.

The work package covers overlays in RID 336 Sunset Heights, RID 370 Outlaw, RID 3901 Bear Creek, RID 20602 Garden Center, RID 20611 Spain Bridge, RID 20618 Wylie Creek, and RID 20603 Skywood, plus patching on Oozle Falls and Southport Road (part of RID 395). Nicholson said, if approved, \"work [is] probably planned for July, August time frame.\" He also said staff expects to negotiate with the contractor to reduce the Spain Bridge award by about $11,000 and make the remainder up from contingencies.

A commissioner moved to approve the recommendation as presented; the motion passed on an oral vote with no recorded opposition.

Staff will finalize contract documents and coordinate scheduling and contractor coordination with each RID prior to construction.

The award is limited to the amounts read into the record and the commission reserved the standard contract and contingency approvals necessary to complete each schedule.","The Gallatin County Commission approved contracts for the 2025 Rural Improvement District (RID) paving and road maintenance program, awarding most work to Hoffman's R & M Services and some schedules to CK May Excavation. Projects include overlays, patching and crack sealing in multiple RIDs, with work expected in July–August.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Gallatin County approves three family transfer exemptions for small residential lots

Commission approves Vista Alaura preliminary plat, grants variance for road dedication

Commission directs staff to pursue menu and growth-area approaches to zoning reform after public input

Commission creates Summit Subdivision RID to fund Nash Road maintenance

Gallatin County awards RID paving contracts for 2025 road maintenance program