Neighbors press planning commission over buffers, alleged conflicts as Kensington Downs Phase 5 returns

The Gallatin City Planning Commission heard public comment and staff presentation Tuesday on Kensington Downs Phase 5, a final master development plan for 26 single-family lots on about 26.82 acres.

A neighbor, Michelle Juvance of 1335 Long Hollow Pike, told the commission she and other nearby residents believe promises made by the developer and engineering firm CSDG in 2017–2018 were not kept and that the planning commission previously “brushed aside” those complaints. Juvance said residents “had to spend money and hire lawyers because of the planning commissioner's blatant disregard of the truth and preferential treatment towards CSDG and the developer.” She asked the chairman to recuse himself from this item and urged the mayor to replace three commissioners who, she said, regularly recuse on items for financial conflicts of interest.

City staff said the FMDP returned with revisions to buffers, berms and landscaping following earlier review. Kimberly Atley, staff planner, summarized the request as a final approval for 26 single-family lots and noted submissions addressing buffers, swales and berms. Engineering staff said one focus was ensuring stub streets are located close to property lines so future connections do not require excess new roadway. Staff also asked for a traffic-signal-warrants analysis for the Grandstand Boulevard/Greenlee Boulevard intersection; if future warrants are not met at full build-out, staff recommended requiring a contribution toward a future signal.

Luke Talley of CSDG, representing the applicant, said the team worked to maintain enhanced buffers on the north and east sides and is “generally okay with all comments.” Talley said the applicant met conditions from last year’s review and that some meetings with adjacent property owners after the work session further enhanced buffers.

Commissioners and staff discussed a tradeoff between extending proposed road stubs to property lines (preferred for future connectivity) and preserving enhanced buffers. Staff noted that if berms or landscaping are placed within future rights-of-way or easements, the city must preserve the ability to extend roads in the future and protect public access, possibly through plat language or easements.

No vote was taken; staff said exhibits approved with the Preliminary Master Development Plan (PMDP) would be included at the voting meeting and that the item would return for those formal actions.

Ending: The commission asked the applicant and staff to resolve outstanding exhibit and engineering details before the voting meeting so the board can verify that PMDP exhibits and promises to neighbors are reflected in the final documents.