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Anaconda‑Deer Lodge County planning board forwards Jones Creek two‑lot subdivision to county commissioners
Summary
The Planning Board voted 6‑0 to forward a preliminary two‑lot subdivision (20.0 acres and 122.61 acres) submitted by Travis and Shellie McKelvy to the county commissioners with conditions, including an added fire‑plan requirement; staff recommended conditional approval and noted a Fish, Wildlife & Parks 'Living with Wildlife' convenance.
The Anaconda‑Deer Lodge County Planning Board voted 6‑0 on July 27 to forward the Jones Creek preliminary plat — a proposed two‑lot subdivision creating a 20.00‑acre lot and a 122.61‑acre lot from a 142.61‑acre parcel — to the County Commission with seven conditions of approval, including an added fire‑plan condition requested by a board member.
Gayla Hess, Planner II, presented the staff report and said the department recommends conditional approval under Sec. 16‑129 and 16‑164 of the county Code of Ordinances. The application, submitted by Travis and Shellie McKelvy and assisted by Montana Northwest Company, describes one existing residence with agricultural use on the property in the West Valley Development District. The staff report lists six initial conditions; during the board discussion Colleen Riley asked that an approved fire plan be included as an additional condition before forwarding the proposal.
Applicant representative Ken Jenkins described the application as a “simple two‑lot subdivision” and urged the board not to conflate the proposal with larger future developments. Planning Director Carl Hamming explained the rationale for staff’s sewer‑stub condition: when West Valley Phase 1 was installed, stubs were run to existing property lines within the MDT right‑of‑way so future service connections would be easier; staff structured the condition so required work would occur before final plat approval to let future owners tie in to an existing stub.
Board member Frank Fitzpatrick confirmed that any future subdivision of the 20‑acre lot would require a separate application with traffic, sewer and water studies. The motion to approve the preliminary plat with the seven conditions was made by Dan Reardon and seconded by Frank Fitzpatrick; the board voted 6‑0 to forward the package to the Anaconda‑Deer Lodge County Commission for final action.
What happens next: the County Commission will consider the Planning Board’s recommendation at a future meeting; any further subdivision of the 20‑acre parcel would require a separate application and additional technical studies.
