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Planning board approves Western Montana State preliminary plat, notes water and septic conditions
Summary
The Broadwater County Planning Board voted to accept the preliminary plat for the Western Montana State subdivision with conditions after hearing public concerns about wells, septic systems and soil stability; staff said DEQ previously approved relevant septic layouts in 2006–2007 and DNRC signed a notice of intent to appropriate groundwater.
The Broadwater County Planning Board voted to accept the preliminary plat for the Western Montana State subdivision "with conditions noted," moving the project forward to the county commissioners for review.
During the public hearing, residents urged caution over groundwater and septic capacity. Resident Jeremy Jones said he lives adjacent to the parcel and worried the split from one 4.04-acre parcel into four roughly 1.01-acre lots could strain local wells and septic systems. "I'm living out there, and I am curious as to what the final plan is, for subdividing the lots up into smaller lots," Jones said, adding concerns about a prior class-action over bentonite and the risk that additional houses could affect his well. Staff answered that the parcels received DEQ approval in the mid-2000s and that DEQ reviews setback and septic placement, while DNRC handles notices of intent to appropriate groundwater. The board added a condition to clarify water-rights notation on the preliminary plat before final approvals.
Why it matters: the decision advances a subdivision that neighbors said may worsen water supply, soil and fire-risk pressures; staff noted the DEQ certificate dates to 2006–2007 and that specific septic designs (1,500-gallon tanks with 1,000-gallon dose tanks for some lots) were documented in the application. The board's motion carried by voice vote.
