Stevensville council conditionally approves Twin Creek Phase 2 final plat pending DEQ extension

The Stevensville Town Council on an 3–0 vote with one abstention approved the final plat for Twin Creek Phase 2 conditionally, requiring the developer to provide written documentation from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality extending relevant approvals to Jan. 16, 2026.

The council’s action followed discussion about an apparent June 13, 2022 DEQ approval letter that the council said contained language requiring construction to be completed within three years of that date and a concern that the three‑year deadline had passed. Council members pressed the applicant for proof of any DEQ extension before final plat acceptance.

Council member Smith moved that the council approve the plat “on condition that we receive the written documentation from the DEQ for an extension to 01/16/2026.” The motion was seconded and then approved. Council members Barker, Smith and Brecker voted “aye”; one council member recorded an abstention. The motion passed with the condition that the DEQ extension letter be provided to the town.

Developer representatives on the call said they have been in contact with DEQ and stated the project has approvals that extend into January 2026. Ron York of PCI told the council, “we do have an approval that goes until 01/15/2026.” Max Holmes, on the phone for the applicant, said, “it is my understanding that we did get a DEQ extension” and that DEQ had inspected the project and been aware of ongoing construction.

Council members requested the extension letter be included in the council packet. Council member Parker asked that the extension documentation be placed in the town’s packet if the council is to rely on it for approval. Staff and applicant representatives agreed to provide the DEQ paperwork; the council discussed tabling the plat if the paperwork was not available in time and the possibility of calling a special meeting to process the approval within the applicant’s 20‑day filing window. Town staff noted the applicant had paid the filing fee on Oct. 16, starting a 20‑day statutory processing clock.

Council and staff also reviewed construction and inspection items. Public works/engineering staff reported a short punch list (minor sidewalk cracks and cleanup) and said water‑main pressure tests and bacteriological tests had come back acceptable. One council member summarized the construction review: “Everything looked right. So as far as I’m concerned, it’s full speed ahead when we get this…documentation.”

Members of the public and the park advisory committee commented on the plat’s park dedication requirement. The plat calls for a cash‑in‑lieu payment of $11,410 to satisfy the park dedication requirement. Vicky Motley, represented at the meeting by Heidi Motley, asked that the $11,410 be placed into a parks fund or a certificate of deposit and not be deposited into the town’s general fund so the money would be available for park or pool repairs.

A public safety issue was raised by Chief Motley (comment relayed by a speaker), who requested a fire hydrant at the end of Blacksmith Lane because the cul‑de‑sac is more than 1,000 feet from the nearest hydrant. The council asked staff and the project engineers to follow up on hydrant placement as a safety and insurance concern.

Council members and staff praised the developer’s responsiveness on some items. One council member said Max and Ron “have went above and beyond, to help get this thing done,” and noted the developer had offered up to $50,000 toward a future lift-station issue and agreed to install pressure pumps for homes in phase 2 if needed.

Next steps: the council approved the final plat conditioned on receipt of the DEQ extension letter dated to Jan. 16, 2026; staff and the applicant agreed to provide the documentation to the town, after which the condition can be cleared and the plat finalized without additional substantive council debate. The council noted it could convene a special meeting if necessary to meet the applicant’s statutory timelines.

Votes at a glance: motion to approve Twin Creek Phase 2 final plat upon receipt of DEQ extension — outcome: approved; recorded votes available in town minutes (aye: Barker, Smith, Brecker; abstain: Brown).