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Commission sets Crystal Springs hearing, voices concern over Jones Lane traffic and SID option
Summary
The commission set a Jan. 27 public hearing for the Crystal Springs Estate subdivision after commissioners and planning staff debated potential traffic impacts at the Jones Lane/Highway 1 West intersection and discussed a developer offer to waive future lot owners' protest rights to a special improvement district to fund road improvements.
The Anaconda Deer Lodge County Commission voted to set a public hearing for the Crystal Springs Estate subdivision on Jan. 27, 2026, after commissioners raised concerns about increased traffic at Jones Lane and its intersection with Montana Highway 1 West.
One commissioner said Jones Lane and nearby Mount Hagen form a choke point for traffic to the West Valley area and urged the commission to require developers to help fund intersection improvements in coordination with the Montana Department of Transportation. Planning staff (Carl) told the commission the developer has offered to include language in covenants that would cause future lot owners to waive their right to protest the creation of a special improvement district (SID). "So by having...a number of future lot owners who are willingly saying that they will not protest it, it makes the path for creation of that SID much smoother," Carl said, explaining that this eases the county's ability to draw a narrow SID boundary limited to adjacent properties rather than the entire West Valley.
Commissioners debated whether an SID could be used where the impacted roadway includes a state highway and said the county would need to work with MDT about responsibilities. One commissioner warned that an SID boundary could expand costs beyond future lots to existing nearby residents, and staff urged careful mapping before any district formation.
The motion to set the hearing passed 4–1. The hearing will allow the public to weigh in on traffic mitigation, SID proposals and subdivision conditions before any final approval.
