County rejects RSID expansion that would have added O'Donnell residents to Skycrest park maintenance district
June 13, 2023 | Yellowstone, Montana
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The Yellowstone County Board of County Commissioners voted June 13 to reject Resolution 23-72, blocking an expansion of RSID 846M that would have added parcels in the O'Donnell Subdivision to the Skycrest parks maintenance district.
Chairman Oslan opened a public hearing on the proposal and Tim (county staff) summarized the plan: Skycrest Subdivision and O'Donnell Subdivision share parkland, the district would cover 113 parcels, and estimated maintenance costs were about $15,000 per year—roughly $135 per parcel and $15,255 in total. Skycrest homeowners told the board they had purchased park equipment and wanted the center park developed rather than a front parcel along a busy road.
Ken Best, who said he lives on O'Donnell Lane and spoke for his neighbors, said O'Donnell residents submitted a petition opposing inclusion. "We don't really wanna be dragged into an RSID," he said, citing large lots, private drives, fences that block access to the park, and several residents on fixed incomes who would face new charges (examples cited: a 96-year-old owner with three lots would pay about $405 per year).
Amberlee Levitt, Skycrest HOA president, said Skycrest voted unanimously to develop the center park and had already bought equipment, but that it was not their intention to force O'Donnell residents to pay. "If it is at all possible to separate that RSID and just make Skycrest Subdivision responsible for it, we're okay with that," Levitt told the board.
County counsel/administrative staff (Steve) told commissioners that, under the law, all benefited parcels must be included in an RSID and could not be excluded simply because access is limited; he explained that O'Donnell parcels are platted such that future owners would have legal access and therefore be considered benefited parties.
After discussion, Chairman Oslan moved to reject Resolution 23-72 so O'Donnell Subdivision would not have to participate or pay; the board approved the motion by voice vote.
The board noted an alternative: if O'Donnell residents did not object and Skycrest homeowners chose to use HOA funds, Skycrest could proceed with park improvements without an RSID. The rejection leaves open local solutions between the subdivisions and does not prohibit Skycrest from privately developing the park.
Chairman Oslan opened a public hearing on the proposal and Tim (county staff) summarized the plan: Skycrest Subdivision and O'Donnell Subdivision share parkland, the district would cover 113 parcels, and estimated maintenance costs were about $15,000 per year—roughly $135 per parcel and $15,255 in total. Skycrest homeowners told the board they had purchased park equipment and wanted the center park developed rather than a front parcel along a busy road.
Ken Best, who said he lives on O'Donnell Lane and spoke for his neighbors, said O'Donnell residents submitted a petition opposing inclusion. "We don't really wanna be dragged into an RSID," he said, citing large lots, private drives, fences that block access to the park, and several residents on fixed incomes who would face new charges (examples cited: a 96-year-old owner with three lots would pay about $405 per year).
Amberlee Levitt, Skycrest HOA president, said Skycrest voted unanimously to develop the center park and had already bought equipment, but that it was not their intention to force O'Donnell residents to pay. "If it is at all possible to separate that RSID and just make Skycrest Subdivision responsible for it, we're okay with that," Levitt told the board.
County counsel/administrative staff (Steve) told commissioners that, under the law, all benefited parcels must be included in an RSID and could not be excluded simply because access is limited; he explained that O'Donnell parcels are platted such that future owners would have legal access and therefore be considered benefited parties.
After discussion, Chairman Oslan moved to reject Resolution 23-72 so O'Donnell Subdivision would not have to participate or pay; the board approved the motion by voice vote.
The board noted an alternative: if O'Donnell residents did not object and Skycrest homeowners chose to use HOA funds, Skycrest could proceed with park improvements without an RSID. The rejection leaves open local solutions between the subdivisions and does not prohibit Skycrest from privately developing the park.
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