Commissioners conditionally approve 41‑lot Pala Subdivision preliminary plat with nine conditions

The Yellowstone County Board of County Commissioners on May 23 conditionally approved the preliminary major plat for the Pala Subdivision, a 41‑lot development proposed on roughly 86.31 acres south of Yeoman Road and 12 Mile Road.

Monica, county staff standing in for a colleague, summarized the subdivision and listed nine conditions attached to the preliminary approval. She said the development would serve lots with individual cisterns and septic tanks and that access is proposed from 12 Mile Road with a secondary access on Molly Drive, which is currently private.

"The Palos Subdivision is a major subdivision. It proposes 41 lots," Monica said, noting the gross area and that the area being developed totals 78.13 acres.

Monica told commissioners the planning board forwarded a recommendation of conditional approval after public participation and some dissent at the planning board level. She said residents raised concerns about the safety of the intersection at 12 Mile and Yeoman; the county had performed a study and implemented some minor mitigation such as vegetation trimming and speed‑limit adjustments, but additional mitigation identified in a traffic impact study would need to be addressed before final plat approval.

Among the conditions Monica listed were: DEQ approval for on‑site systems; creation of a road RSID for maintenance of new public streets and an RSID to maintain a 30,000‑gallon hydrant to serve the subdivision; resolution of Molly Drive access either through documentation of use or dedication to public standard; completion and Public Works approval of the traffic impact study and mitigation measures before final plat; coordination with the postal service on mailbox location; completion of a weed management plan; and minor document corrections to bring materials into full compliance with Montana and Yellowstone County rules.

Commissioners moved and seconded to conditionally approve the preliminary plat subject to the conditions Monica presented, and the board recorded a voice vote in favor.

Next steps: The developer must secure required approvals and satisfy the listed conditions before the final plat can be approved and before construction or lot sales proceed.

Provenance: Initial presentation and condition list began at SEG 353 (Monica standing in for Dave Green) and conditions and follow‑up requirements are detailed through SEG 436. The board’s motion and approval appear at SEG 448–SEG 467.