Laurel planning board approves Industrial Park subdivision, requires full sidewalk with first lot development

Laurel‑Yellowstone City‑County Planning Board members voted unanimously on Feb. 18 to forward the Laurel Industrial Park Subdivision (2nd filing) to the City Council after amending a staff condition to require that construction of the entire sidewalk section be completed when the first lot in the subdivision is developed.

Contract Planner Forrest Sanderson reviewed the staff report and explained the Subdivision Improvement Agreement approach for an industrial area, noting heavy truck traffic and the engineering plan for the corridor. Sanderson said the professional engineer would design the entire sidewalk section from Washington Street to the end of the subdivision, and that sidewalks would be built in sections as individual lots are developed under the SIA.

Board members raised concerns that allowing sidewalks to be installed only when individual lots were developed could leave gaps if some lots were not developed promptly. Ron Benner moved to approve the subdivision and amend proposed condition 6 to require that the whole sidewalk section be completed with the development of the first lot; Judy Goldsby seconded. There was no public comment. The motion passed 8‑0.

Board members also asked about a ditch along East Railroad Street. Sanderson said the ditch functions as a stormwater transfer ditch and that whether it is left open or piped would be at the owner or developer's discretion.

The board recorded the vote and forwarded the subdivision with the amended condition to the City Council for final action.