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Commission approves QSC Trust boundary‑relocation exemption for Ridge Road parcels
Summary
Broadwater County approved a boundary‑relocation exemption requested by QSC Trust that will reconfigure two parcels east of Townsend; staff cautioned about winter access and fire risk and confirmed sanitation exemptions apply to parcels above 20 acres.
Nicole Brown, Broadwater County community development director and planner, presented a staff report on a boundary‑relocation exemption requested by Roland Derosher on behalf of QSC Trust for parcels off Ridge Road in Sections 11, 13 and 14, Township 6 North, Range 3 East. Brown said the line‑relocation request moves boundaries between two existing parcels both under the trust’s ownership and that the resulting parcels will remain larger than 20 acres and therefore qualify for sanitation exemptions under Montana law.
Brown summarized the land‑use history: a December 2019 exemption survey created seven parcels greater than 160 acres; subsequent family transfers and a 2021 boundary relocation were recorded; the parcels in question were purchased by the current owner and two will be reconfigured by the proposed boundary relocation. Under the proposed change, Parcel 2 would become Parcel 2A at about 646.14 acres and Tract 6 would become Parcel 6A at about 35.64 acres.
Brown’s staff report cited Montana Code Annotated provisions authorizing boundary relocations outside platted subdivisions (citing the statute text and related survey requirements) and noted that because no new parcels or structures were proposed, the Broadwater County Environmental Health Officer would only need to confirm appropriate sanitation exemptions are cited on the Certificate of Survey. Brown also noted Ridge Road provides direct access and that any new approaches would require a county road approach permit.
Commissioners and staff discussed public‑safety context in the staff report: because of distance from emergency services and proximity to forested acreage, the staff report advised future owners that wildfire risk and steep terrain are considerations, and that Ridge Road may be unpassable in winter and is not snow‑plowed by the county on that stretch. Matt Morris, the surveyor on the phone, said he typically places a disclaimer on his surveys stating certain services may not be provided by the county; the board thanked him for that inclusion.
After Brown’s presentation and brief discussion, a commissioner moved and seconded approval of the boundary‑relocation exemption. The motion passed by voice vote.
Ending: County staff said they would file the approved Certificate of Survey and ensure the proper sanitation exemption language is included; the action was taken under the county’s authority consistent with the cited Montana Code provisions.
