Belgrade planning board recommends preliminary plat approval for Airport Ranches minor subdivision

The City of Belgrade Planning Board on March 24 recommended that the Gallatin County Commission grant preliminary plat approval for the Airport Ranches Minor Subdivision, a four‑lot, low‑density subdivision south of Airport Road and west of Nelson Road.

Hayden Calduri, planner for the City of Belgrade, told the board the tract is zoned rural residential, each lot will be roughly 8 to 10 acres, and the subdivision will use on‑site wells and septic systems. Calduri said the proposal "contains 4 single family lots, and is a first time minor" and noted the project "is still undergoing review by the county flood admin. Admin."

The project team confirmed some technical corrections to staff conditions: the maintenance agreement referenced in condition 7(i) should name Bell Lane rather than Traxler Lane, and condition 7(j) does not apply because the development will connect to a city hydrant rather than a district hydrant. Calduri also said the submittal was updated to reflect on‑site septic and wells rather than a connection to 4 Corners Water And Sewer District.

Kevin Cook, representing Genmar Enterprises, described the parcel history and access arrangements. Cook said the property had been part of a prior land swap with the airport that included a restriction limiting development to no more than four lots, and that the plan preserves a 40‑foot access easement through the cul‑de‑sac to maintain airport access. "The airport has no intention of developing it in that ground. They wanna leave it open up there, but they do need access," Cook said.

Board discussion included service availability: Calduri said the site is outside the 4 Corners Water And Sewer District service area and the district’s sewer is "at maximum capacity or approaching maximum capacity," while city water would be roughly "maybe a thousand feet or so" from the site and sewer farther away. Calduri and Cook reiterated that the board’s recommendation should be conditioned on meeting any county floodplain administrator requirements.

A board member moved to recommend preliminary plat approval to the Gallatin County Commission "subject to the staff recommendation." Another board member seconded. After no additional discussion, the board voted in favor; the chair called the vote unanimous and the board directed that the county floodplain administrator’s conditions be satisfied before final county action.

The board also addressed routine record corrections and confirmed the project would comply with the county floodplain administrator’s requirements before the county commission hearing.

The recommendation now goes to the Gallatin County Commission, which must review and act on the preliminary plat and the floodplain findings.