Public Hearing Held To Review Sunrise Village Subdivision

A public hearing was held by the City/Richland County Planning Board last Thursday night in Sidney to review the application of a major subdivision. The board unanimously approved the application for the Sunrise Village Subdivision to be built north of E. Holly Street.

Marcy Hamburg, City of Sidney/Richland County planner, read the staff report for the major subdivision. The board had previously reviewed the application for the Sunrise Village Subdivision and presented a report on the effects the subdivision will have on agriculture, agricultural water users’ facilities, local services, historical or natural environment, wildlife habitat and public safety.

Brian Milne, Interstate Engineering, submitted the Sunrise Village Subdivision application on behalf of American Land Development for review in recent months. The subdivision will create 10 highway business lots, 12 commercial-light manufacturing lots, 158 residential lots, 1 lot that will consist of six apartment units (each unit will be comprised of 60 apartments), 1 lot which consists of 30 acres for future residential development and a 5-acre lot dedicated as a park. The subdivision consists of approximately 144.49 acres.

Residents and adjacent land owners were present to voice concerns and questions of such a substantial addition to the area. With the obvious housing shortage, a major subdivision is something people see the need for but have concerns with the effect it will have on the city’s already stressed infrastructure.

“They [American Land Development] are here to provide a need.” said Milne enthusiastically. He stated the developer wants to provide housing at a price point as realistic as possible. Rents will be as economical as possible according to material costs.

The land is in the city’s jurisdiction and at present is used as irrigated farm land with an existing oil well. Concerns that the park will be located near the existing oil well site which consists of an oil pumping unit, storage tanks, electric box and a burn off flare. The developer proposes all necessary conditions for safety around the site.

TRAFFIC

Many of the public concerns were of the increase in traffic to be expected on E. Holly Street and those regarding 3rd, 5th and 8th Avenues. The subdivision will have road access via E. Holly Street and County Road 351(proposed Ninth Ave. NE), including Whitaker and Miller Streets.

The preliminary plat shows these streets as dead-end roadways and the 2010 Richland County, City of Sidney, Town of Fairview Subdivision Regulations require an approved turnaround. The report stated the road design and construction is to meet City of Sidney standards prior to being turned over to the city. The application stated the developer (applicant) will incur all the cost.

General consensus was that concerns about E. Holly Street are up to the Montana Department of Transportation. The MDT is expected to mill and overlay the truck route (E. Holly Street, Ninth Avenue NE and SE and 14th Street SE) in the spring.

LOCAL SERVICES

With a subdivision of this size, the city’s local services will be affected significantly but these are issues that already need addressing due to the increasing population in the area.

A Sidney resident voiced concerns about schools and law enforcement being overwhelmed. The plat proposes 30 acres for future residential development that could be used for school or church development. It was stated that an area church is willing to consider this in the future.

The report included all separate agencies involved, including Sidney Police Department, Sidney School District, Sidney and Richland County Public Works Department and Sidney U.S. Post Office with their concerns and conclusions.

Other concerns voiced Thursday night included wildlife, irrigation water and lateral ditches.

The staff report found the application does meet the 2006 Richland County Growth Policy and City of Sidney’s Master Plan.

The City of Sidney’s mission statement in the Growth Policy states “It encourages and supports young families to put down roots in a community with small town values and big town services.”

The Goals in the Growth Policy state: Housing - “Expand housing stock in good condition to meet needs” and Economy -”Develop Sidney’s economy in ways that can build small town character and big town services” and Population - “Promote population growth to sustain new businesses and schools at a rate that can be supported with government services and infrastructure.”

Approval of the subdivision is conditional and the applicant is required to meet several conditions along with requirements outlined in the Subdivision Regulations recommended by the planning board. Construction of the subdivision will begin as soon as the applicant meets a conditional approval from all governing bodies.

 

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