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Commission approves preliminary plat for Moonbase Woods despite water and legal concerns
Summary
The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commission approved the preliminary plat for Moonbase Woods Subdivision after hearings in which residents raised groundwater, wildlife and legal concerns and commissioners said developers met county ordinance requirements; one commissioner voted no.
The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commission voted to approve the preliminary plat for the Moonbase Woods Subdivision after hearing extensive discussion about fire suppression, traffic and groundwater concerns.
Commissioner Bodette, speaking in support of approval, summarized review work with the Georgetown Lake Volunteer Fire Department and the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, saying the developers installed cisterns and hydrants and adopted homeowners-association rules banning short-term rentals. She said developers had “gone beyond what was required formally” and that planning staff had confirmed engineering submissions.
Opponents, including resident Mike Cunningham, urged the commission to delay action until the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) complete reviews and House Bill 681 takes effect. Cunningham read letters questioning whether luxury lots would address local housing needs and warned about “shaky legal status” of proposed groundwater appropriations.
County Attorney (speaker 8) advised the commission that its authority is set by statute and noted the planning department recommended approval. Commissioners debated legal exposure and whether a refusal would hold up in court; one commissioner said the developers had met all ordinance and growth-policy criteria.
A motion to approve the preliminary plat was moved and seconded; the motion carried with one commissioner recorded as opposed.
The commission’s action was preliminary plat approval; final subdivision approval remains contingent on any outstanding state determinations, including DEQ’s technical review and any required DNRC approvals.
