County conditionally approves Platinum Commercial Park subdivision with variances and seven conditions

The Yellowstone County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 18, 2025, conditionally approved the Platinum Commercial Park Subdivision, a proposed 14-lot commercial development on farmland at the northeast corner of South 70 Second Street and Danford Road.

Planning Department staff presented the proposal, saying the development would create 14 commercial lots ranging from about 2.63 acres to 5.6 acres, with each lot served by its own well and a shared community septic system located on a public utility parcel. The developer also proposed a 30,000-gallon dry hydrant tank for fire protection on the same public utility parcel.

The planning presentation noted the developers will construct public streets with a wider paved surface than typical residential streets—about 30–34 feet of pavement with 2-foot shoulders—to accommodate larger commercial vehicles, rather than the usual 24-foot paved surface. Staff told commissioners that parkland dedication is not required for commercial subdivisions under county regulations and state statute.

Planning staff and the planning board recommended conditional approval and approval of variances from the county's standard requirement for road connections, which the presentation said were written with residential subdivisions in mind (a connection every 600 feet). Staff explained that requiring those residential-style connections for larger commercial lots could be impractical and could force lot sizes that would not meet the commercial market.

The board approved the conditional plat, citing the planning board recommendation and the subdivision impact analysis (SIA). The approval includes seven conditions detailed by staff: 1) all water, wastewater and stormwater systems must receive Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) approval; 2) petitioning and formation of an RSID (road special improvement district) or similar mechanism for future road maintenance; 3) Billings-area fire authority review and sign-off on the proposed dry hydrant tank and subsequent testing and RSID for tank maintenance; 4) coordination with the United States Postal Service on mailbox/delivery logistics; 5) final resolution of outstanding items in the traffic study with County Public Works prior to final plat approval; 6) correction and standard formatting of SIA and related documents; and 7) final plat compliance with Yellowstone County subdivision regulations and the administrative rules of the State of Montana.

Planning staff signaled additional agency approvals and conditions remain before the final plat can be recorded. "I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have about this subdivision," Planning Department staff said during the presentation.

A commissioner moved to grant conditional approval with the variances, the SIA, the seven conditions and the findings of fact; another commissioner seconded. With no discussion, the chairman called for the ayes and the motion passed.

The county's action was limited to conditional approval of the plat and variances; final plat recording and development remain subject to MDEQ signoffs, Public Works clearance of traffic items, and the other conditions listed by staff.