Staff flags parking and access concerns for Hidden Creek commercial outparcel

Planning staff told the Gallatin Municipal Planning Commission at a work session that the Hidden Creek Commercial outparcel needs clearer parking calculations and an early start on a “back edge” connecting road to preserve long-term connectivity.

Jim Carpenter, staff planner, said two primary issues emerged in the review: parking for patios or outdoor restaurant seating and coordination on a back-edge access that would eventually connect Springdale Lane to the planned Bison Trail extension. Carpenter said staff’s “first concern” from the preliminary review was parking for expanded restaurant space and patios.

Aaron, the city’s engineering representative, told the commission the plan should begin the back-edge road to the applicant’s property line so future development can link Springdale to Bison Trail. Aaron and the applicant discussed right-in/right-out access; Aaron said the configuration shown could allow left turns and recommended installing a median or limiting the movement to a right-out only. The applicant’s representative, Eric Cox of 615 Design Group, said they are working with engineering to address the median or a right-out-only solution and will update parking calculations and provide more parking where feasible.