Commissioners grant one‑year extension to Rural Propane Services subdivision preliminary plat

Lincoln County commissioners on May 6 granted a one‑year extension to the preliminary plat approval for the Rural Propane Services subdivision, extending the county’s preliminary approval to May 18, 2026.

County staff described the subdivision as a three‑lot commercial plat located on U.S. Highway 93 about 1 mile north of the Highway 37 intersection, with lots ranging from about 1.37 to 13.1 acres. Each lot is planned to use its own septic system and well. The preliminary plat was originally submitted on Sept. 3, 2021 and was approved by the commissioners on May 18, 2022 for a three‑year period.

Staff said the developer has completed the subdivision road design and installation and extended power to the lots, but the Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s final approval letter for on‑site water, sewer and stormwater systems had not been received when the extension request was filed. The developer requested additional time for weed inspection and management, a fire risk assessment and fire prevention plan or waiver, and to prepare final plat documents.

Commissioner (S3) moved to approve a one‑year extension; Commissioner (S2) seconded. The board found a one‑year extension reasonable for a first request, noted the items remaining for final plat approval, and approved the extension by voice vote. Staff recorded the new expiration as May 18, 2026.