HomeMy WebLinkAboutBlackwood Groves - PP Narrative RC#1 04-27-2021
PRELIMINARY PLAT NARRATIVE
RC#1
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Table of Contents
NARRATIVE
Section I. – Project Team
Section II – Introduction
Section III – Subdivision Pre-Application Plan Narrative
Section IV – Response to Preliminary Plat Comments (File No. 20-447)
Section V – Response to Preliminary Plat Approval Criteria
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Phasing Plan
Appendix B: Block Frontages
Appendix C: Preliminary Plat Supplements
Appendix D: Vicinity Map Parks and Trails
Appendix E: Parks Master Plan and Appendices
Appendix F: Covenant Location Exhibit
Appendix G: Residential Density Covenant
Appendix H: Commercial Area Restrictive Covenant
Appendix I: Park Restriction Covenant
Appendix J: Recorded Annexation Agreement
Appendix K: USGS Topo Map
Appendix L: Draft ECCRS, Design Guidelines, & Bylaws
Appendix M: Affordable Housing Application and Plan (Removed as Requested by COB)
Appendix N: Street Sections
Appendix O: Watercourse Summary, Wetland Delineation Report and Supporting Documents
Appendix P: Lighting Plan
Appendix Q: Impact Letters and Responses
Appendix R: Building Envelope Diagram
Appendix S: Land Use Map
Appendix T: Project Schedule
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Appendix U: Traffic Impact Study Addendum
Appendix V: Geotechnical Investigation Report
Appendix W: Water and Sanitary Sewer Design Reports
Appendix X: Stormwater Management Design Report and Irrigation Ditch Company Letter
Appendix Y: Floodplain No-Rise Certification
Appendix Z: Preliminary Plat Certificate of Title
Appendix AA: Lot Guide (Blocks 9 & 26)
Appendix AB: Noxious Weed Management Plan
PLANS:
LANDSCAPE
Green Plan
Plan Sheets
L000 - Overall Site Plan
L001 - Notes & Legends
L002 - Notes & Legends
L300 - South 19th Avenue Planting
L301 - South 19th Avenue Planting
L302 - Blackwood Road Median Planting
L303 - Blackwood Road Median Planting
L304 - South 11th Avenue, Park 4, & Open Space A Planting
L305 - Open Space Planting
L306 - Open Space Planting
L307 - Park 1 Boulevard Planting
L308 - Park 1 Boulevard Planting
L309 - Park 2 Boulevard Planting
L310 - Park 3 Boulevard Planting
L311 - Park 6 & 7 Boulevard Planting
L312 - Park 8, 9, & 10 Boulevard Planting
L313 - Park 5 & 11 Boulevard Planting
L314 - Park 12 & 13 Boulevard Planting
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L315 - Park 14, 15, & 16 Boulevard Planting
L316 - Block 28 Watercourse Planting
L500 - Landscape Details
L501 - Landscape Details
L600 - Overall Irrigation Plan
L601 - Well 1 & 2 Irrigation
L602 - Well 3 West Irrigation
L603 - Well 3 East Irrigation
L604 - Well 4 South Irrigation
L605 - Well 4 West Irrigation
L606 - Well 4 East Irrigation
L607 - Well 5 North/Central Irrigation
L608 - Well 5 South Irrigation
L609 - OS Areas
L700 - Irrigation Details
L701 - Irrigation Detail
CIVIL
Preliminary Plat and Associated Sheets
Phasing Exhibits
Preliminary Plat Maps
Phasing Exhibit
Street Exhibit
Utility Exhibit
Monitoring Well Location Map
Monitor Well Data
Sheet C.1.0 - Existing Site Conditions
Sheet C.2.0 - Zoning Map
Sheet C.3.0 - Existing Surface Water & Wetlands
Sheet C.4.0 - Construction Management Plan
Sheet C.5.0 - Water Utility Plan
Sheet C.6.0 - Sanitary Sewer Utility Plan
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Sheet C.7.0 - Lot Layout
Sheet C.8.0 - Street Layout
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I. PROJECT TEAM
OWNER & Blackwood Land Fund, LLC
APPLICANT 140 Village Crossing Way, Unit 3B
Bozeman, MT 59715
p: 406.539.6015
PLANNER Intrinsik Architecture, Inc.
111 N. Tracy Avenue,
Bozeman, MT 59715
p: 406.582.8988
PLANNER Design Workshop
17911 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92614
p: 949.851.2133
ARCHITECT Abramson Architects
5171 West Jefferson Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90016
p: 310.630.2126
ARCHITECT KTGY Architecture + Planning
1390 Lawrence Street, Suite 100
Denver, CO 80204
p: 303.623.5186
ENGINEER C&H Engineering and Surveying, Inc.
1091 Stoneridge Drive,
Bozeman, MT 59718
p: 406.587.1115
LANDSCAPE Design 5 Landscape Architecture
ARCHITECT 37 E. Main Street,
Bozeman, MT 59715
p: 406.587.4873
WATER & WETLAND TerraQuatic, LLC
CONSULTANT 614 W. Lamme Street,
Bozeman, MT 59715
P: 406.580.6993
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Property Vicinity Map
II. INTRODUCTION
Blackwood Groves (“Blackwood Groves”, the “Neighborhood”, or the “Property”) is a 119.45-acre
property that is located to the south and west of the current terminus of South 11th Avenue and sits
directly south of Alder Creek Subdivision. Sacajawea Middle School comprises most of the eastern
boundary, whereas South 19th Ave acts as the Property’s western boundary. Blackwood Groves is
envisioned as a walkable, lifestyle-oriented, mixed-use community, which consists of a diverse set of
residents with a range of income and demographics, that also provides amenities and services to all
surrounding neighborhoods.
The Property, approximately 2.5 miles south of Downtown Bozeman, is situated with panoramic views
to the Bridger Range to the north, Gallatin Range to the east, Spanish Peaks and Madison Range to the
south, and Tobacco Root Mountains to the west. The community is specifically planned to embrace the
Property’s proximity, natural features, and stunning vistas to create a public realm that is seamlessly
connected to greater Bozeman but distinct in its inherent walkability and sense of place.
The neighborhood will coalesce around a dynamic center that is planned to serve as a hub of
community-oriented amenities; amenities such as restaurants, retail and commercial services,
entertainment, and recreational activities. This mixed-use hub of features and services will be
surrounded by a variety of housing types and price points, specifically intended to encourage a diverse
and dynamic mix of residents with a range of demographics and income levels. This is of particular
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importance, given the proximity of significant education centers to the property – namely Sacajawea
Middle School, Morning Star Elementary, and Montana State University.
The residential and mixed-use town center neighborhoods within the Property are envisioned to be
interconnected by a series of parks, plazas, natural open spaces and biking/hiking trails that celebrate
the connection to the outdoors and encourage vehicles to be used as a last resort – instead of the first
(or more often, the only) option. This series of multi-modal connections throughout the Property, along
with well-planned and activated streetscapes, are intended to encourage a social atmosphere within
the community.
In June 2020, the Property was annexed into the City of Bozeman and underwent a Growth Policy
Amendment and Zone Map Amendment Review. Following those approvals, the property is now
classified as Residential Emphasis Mixed Use (REMU) zoning and future land use. This proposal shows
conformance with the UDC standards for development within this zone or clarifies when such necessary
information is to be provided (see below for additional Land Use Analysis). The Applicant has also
submitted a Master Site Plan application (File No. 20-292) to ensure the project is consistent with the
REMU standards and has received two sets comments from the City of Bozeman in response to that
application. Revisions to the Master Site Plan application are to be submitted concurrently with this
Preliminary Plat submittal. It is the intention of the project team to respond to the Master Site Plan
comments, as well as update that submittal, using the Revisions and Corrections process. The estimated
project schedule for Phase 1 review of the subdivision is included as Appendix T.
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Artist rendering looking northeast along a linear park corridor (Park 14)
Land Use Analysis
The Blackwood Groves neighborhood is to be developed under the existing Residential Emphasis Mixed
Use (REMU) zoning district. The site is larger than the five (5) acres minimum specified in the UDC and
is located adjacent to existing residential neighborhoods, which will help sustain Blackwood Groves
proposed commercial uses. The property is designated Residential Mixed Use on the current Future
Land Use Map, and the attributes of that designation further encourage neighborhoods sustainability
and community interconnectivity. Please see Alignment with Bozeman’s 2020 Community Plan, below,
for additional information on the alignment of this proposal with the City’s adopted Community Plan.
REMU zoning confers an expectation on future site development that the area will be mixed-use in
character and provide options for a variety of housing, employment, retail, and neighborhood services.
The neighborhood design of Blackwood Groves embodies this expectation. From the variety of housing
options proposed (Appendix S – Land Use Map) to the Town Center area envisioned in the heart of the
community providing employment and retail opportunities, this neighborhood strives to exceed the
REMU intent expectations established in the UDC.
While the walkable neighborhood will emphasize residential as the primary use, the inclusion of
community scale retail and services supports the overall neighborhood design and experience. A diverse
array of community scale commercial uses is envisioned for the Town Center area of the site, including
retail, restaurants, offices, maker spaces, grocery, small-scale cinemas, and fitness facilities (not to
exceed 30% of the total gross building square footage allowed within the REMU zoning standards).
Residential uses will also be heavily integrated into the upper floors of the Town Center.
The community has been designed to be complimented by vibrant, urban, and pedestrian-oriented
complete streets. The proposed street sections (Appendix N) provide for safe and broad connections
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across and through the neighborhood, while the linkages enhance neighborhood's sense of place and
park experiences (Appendix E – Parks Master Plan). The proposed off- and on-streets connections
encourage pedestrian and bicycle travel, transit, on-street parking, and include the required physical
elements of complete streets. Natural spaces have been incorporated throughout the development to
serve the community needs for both neighborhood residents and visitors alike.
The streets of Blackwood Grove incorporate natural drainage technologies. On-street parking is planned
throughout the site, with back-in angled parking proposed adjacent to the Town Center area. Shared
access drives and alleys are proposed throughout the development to create a more vibrant public
realm as well as reduce the need for additional curb cuts. Buildings are to be oriented to the streets and
public spaces as is allowed in the BMC, and the proposed building envelopes have also been analyzed
for BMC compliance (Appendix R – Building Envelope Diagram).
The neighborhood seamlessly integrates complete streets to accommodate pedestrians, bicycles,
buses, automobiles and wintertime snow storage, and work in concert with internal property accesses
and adjacent development to create a connected and vibrant public realm. These streets are designed
to be community-oriented and pedestrian-friendly multimodal transportation routes. The
neighborhood also includes a significant number of public spaces that are intended to facilitate distinct
types of activities and encourage consistent human presence and activity. The proposed public parks
and recreational areas are inviting to everyone and have been designed to reflect the more connected
character imagined in the REMU zoning district.
Design standards that emphasize the sense of place and stipulate maintenance of the neighborhood
facilities have been created and these have been included in this submittal (Appendix L). The community
design intended for this community encourages thoughtful development while providing for providing
flexibility for future phases of the development to respond to changing market conditions. The design
standards and guidelines proposed for Blackwood Groves also include provisions that promote
sustainable development.
Initial land use assumptions for Blackwood Groves have been outlined in Table 1. For additional details
on the precise parkland assumptions for Blackwood Groves, including discussion of CILP, please
reference the Parks Master Plan (Appendix E). Condominiums are to be developed within the
Blackwood Groves subdivision, and the location and design of these condo units will be proposed for
review under future Site Plan and Condominium review applications as that development plan is
assembled. No Planned Unit Developments are anticipated, and no manufactured homes, or RV parks
are to be developed within this neighborhood.
Table 1: Blackwood Groves Land Use Table
Use Proposed Land Area (square feet)
Single Household 30.02 Acres (1,307,845 sf)
Multi-Household* 17.35 Acres (755,777 sf)
Commercial (Mixed Use)* 16.82 Acres (732,621 sf)
Parkland 18.34 Acres (798,747 sf)
Open Space 3.43 Acres (149,459 sf)
ROW/Easements/Streets 33.49 Acres (1,458,878 sf)
TOTAL 119.45 Acres (5,203,782 sf)
* = Type of structures and number of units to be determined at Site Plan.
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Alignment With Bozeman’s 2020 Community Plan
Artist rendering looking southeast at the intersection of Cambridge Drive and Spring Ridge Drive
Bozeman’s newly minted 2020 Community Plan designates this parcel as Residential Mixed-Use on the
Future Land Use Map. This Future Land Use category promotes neighborhoods that are largely
residential in nature but integrate small-scale commercial and civic uses. A mix of housing types and
densities is suggested under this category, and it further encourages that all uses should complement
planned residential ones. Non-residential uses are expected to be pedestrian oriented and emphasize
the human scale. Commercial centers are envisioned within this category, especially those served by
multi-modal transit. Non-residential spaces should provide an interesting pedestrian experience with
quality urban design for buildings, sites, and open spaces. Under this category commercial
neighborhood centers and pedestrian oriented open spaces are highly encouraged. As has been
described herein, this project decidedly fits the framework established under the Residential Mixed-
Use category described within the Community Plan.
The following additional themes and goals of the Community Plan have been incorporated into the
overall project design and demonstrate how the proposed development aligns with this foundational
community document. Examples that illustrate how specific components of this project support the
growth policy have also been included to provide further evidence of the suitability of this
neighborhood within Bozeman.
1. Theme 1 - A Resilient City
The Neighborhood has been intentionally designed to mitigate future natural hazard and climate
change impacts. The property is not shown within the mapped wildlands-urban interface (WUI) in
Gallatin County’s effective Community Wildfire Protection Plan, Hazard Mitigation Plan, or GIS
mapping resources. While this location is outside the effective WUI, the neighborhood will still be
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designed to minimize potential future fire risk through the utilization of fire-resistant materials
and landscaping where practical.
Blackwood Groves has also been developed in consultation with the 2020 Climate Plan. Blackwood
Groves is envisioned to be an equitable and resilient low-carbon community for current and future
generations. In line with the Plan’s Guiding Principles, the application of renewable energy is
encouraged through the Design Guidelines and solar orientation of project. The Neighborhood
also includes innovative mechanisms to address climate change, such as the interactive tree
groves found in Parks 9 and 10 that will effectively serve to sequester compounding carbon as the
groves age (see Appendix E - Parks Master Plan, Page 13). The linear parks and pathways
described in the Parks Master Plan further advance multimodal transit opportunities for residents
and visitors alike, weaving resilience and sustainability into the design of neighborhood by
encouraging walkability and significantly reducing the need for vehicles.
Figure 2: Proposed Road Alignment Avoiding Wetland Areas
Blackwood Groves was designed with a focus on preserving the natural elements that exist within
the property. For example, an existing tree grove has been designed as a community park with
organic playground materials and water features planned adjacent to it (Park 3). Importantly,
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there is an existing wetland that runs near the eastern border of the site. While 11th Avenue was
originally designed to cut through the widest area of the wetland (per the City’s long range
Transportation Plan), the Project Team worked closely with City staff to shift 11th westward to
limit any impacts on this important natural element (See Figure 2, above). This has a secondary
benefit of providing for spectacular views for pedestrians as it aligns with views of the Bridgers
and Spanish Peaks ranges.
The sustainable neighborhood design employed for Blackwood Groves also includes community
agriculture options. Compact and diverse housing is proposed in portions of the neighborhood, as
well as mixed-use development opportunities that allow for individuals to live and work in
proximity to each other. The roadway design, as discussed above, intentionally avoids wetlands
and floodplains to provide regenerative green spaces that protect natural systems. Moreover, the
street and park designs provide an extensive but diverse array of transit options through and
across the Property.
Figure 3: Green Plan (See also Appendix E)
2. Theme 2 - A City of Unique Neighborhoods
Homesites and residential units have been designed to take advantage of unique vistas, solar
orientation opportunities, and the ability to create a unique, but Bozeman-appropriate,
neighborhood. For example, angled homesites were utilized in some areas in order to take
advantage of views overlooking the Bridger and Gallatin ranges as well as community parks. Floor
plans for these units allow for a variety of bedroom counts, while activating important collector
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streets and providing for a unique streetscape.
3. Goal N-1: Support well planned, walkable neighborhoods
Blackwood Groves was planned – from its original concept designs – as a walkable, pedestrian-
oriented community. The broader goal for this project is to be a “park once” community, after
which all residents and guests can easily and safely walk or bike ride to each neighborhood and
amenity. Importantly, Blackwood Groves was thoughtful in its planning for access for students
attending Sacajawea Middle School and Morningstar Elementary. Children commuting back and
forth to school may utilize the linear parks and trail systems within these parks as a safer means of
access. All critical crossings have been thoughtfully designed and include bulb-outs for additional
pedestrian safety. Lastly, community-oriented commercial services are planned at the heart of the
project, which will allow residents and guests to easily walk or bike ride to amenities and services
instead of being required to get in a vehicle. See Appendix N - Street Sections and Appendix E –
Parks Master Plan for additional information.
4. N-1.1 Promote housing diversity, including missing middle housing.
Particularly given its location within an education hub, Blackwood Groves was envisioned as a
“melting pot” community that includes a wide range of residential product types and price points.
Instead of catering to a single demographic with homogenous product offerings, this community
will seek to provide a wide range of housing options from affordable cottages, to townhomes,
condos and apartments, to custom single family homesites – and everything in between.
5. N-1.5 Encourage neighborhood focal point development with functions, activities, and facilities
that can be sustained over time. Maintain standards for placement of community focal points and
services within new development.
The Blackwood Groves neighborhood provides four distinct neighborhood centers. The locations
are easily recognizable and will feature a gathering space and plaza that is easily accessible. See
Appendix E – Parks Master Plan for additional information on the proposed neighborhood
centers.
6. N-1.6: Encourage urban agriculture as part of focal point development, in close proximity to
schools and near dense or multi-unit housing.
Several Open Space areas throughout the community are envisioned to include urban agriculture
uses such as shared community gardens. Most of these sites are within the cottage communities
and adjacent to the higher-density multifamily product. See Appendix E – Parks Master Plan for
additional information on the proposed community garden.
7. N-1.9 Ensure multimodal connections between adjacent developments.
Each neighborhood within the broader Blackwood Groves project will be interconnected to each
other and to the town center via a series of linear parks, green connections, and open spaces
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(most of which include bulb-outs for safe crossing of streets). These corridors continue to the edge
of the development such that they can be easily connected to and extended upon future
development of the surrounding properties. In addition, planned trails and loops that run
throughout the property will be included in maps and signage for Fitness Trails, Safe Routes to
School, to Parks and for wayfinding to the commercial services. Bike lanes have been thoughtfully
incorporated along important connection routes to further these multimodal connections. See
Appendix N - Street Sections and Appendix E – Parks Master Plan for additional information on
proposed connections.
8. N-1.10: Increase connectivity between parks and neighborhoods through continued trails and
sidewalk development. Prioritize closing gaps within the network.
All neighborhoods and parks will be interconnected by a series of green connections, linear parks,
and open spaces. The overarching goal is to create a full and safe circuit for residents and
members of the community. In any area where a required City street conflicted with one of these
connections, bulb-outs are provided to ensure a short and safe crossing area. See Appendix N -
Street Sections, Appendix E – Parks Master Plan, and the Preliminary Plat for additional
information.
9. N-2.5 Ensure that new development includes opportunities for urban agriculture, including
rooftop and home gardens, community gardens, or urban farms.
See response to N-1.6 and Appendix E – Parks Master Plan for additional information on the
proposed community gardens.
10. Goal N-3: Promote a diverse supply of quality housing units.
Blackwood Groves has been envisioned as a pedestrian-oriented community with a diverse
residential base. To deliver on this vision, a wide range of residential product types and price
points will be delivered – from affordable for-sale and rental cottages, to townhomes, condos, and
apartments of various sizes, to small and large custom single family homesites – and everything in
between.
11. N-3.3 Encourage distribution of affordable housing units throughout the City with priority given to
locations near commercial, recreational, and transit assets.
12. N-3.7 Support compact neighborhoods, small lot sizes, and small floor plans, especially through
mechanisms such as density bonuses.
Blackwood Groves’ residential plan includes a wide mix of unit types and sizes. Several
neighborhoods with small lots are proposed, along with several Cottage Communities (per the
City’s Cottage Ordinance). The Preliminary Plat shows the wide variety of residential lot sizes and
uses.
13. N-3.8 Promote the development of "Missing Middle" housing (side by side or stacked duplex,
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triplex, live-work, cottage housing, group living, rowhouses/ townhouses, etc.) as one of the most
critical components of affordable housing.
Blackwood Groves is envisioned to include a variety of product types including duplex units,
stacked flats, apartments, cottage homes, rowhouses, townhouses, condos and custom
homesites. These are viewed as critical to the long-term success of the project to promote a
diverse and dynamic community that provides for a variety of housing options – especially for
young families with children attending the nearby schools.
14. Goal N-4: Continue to encourage Bozeman’s sense of place.
The Blackwood Groves community was envisioned and planned with significant use of outdoor
amenities and activities, which Bozeman is well known for. Located along the Gallagator Trail,
numerous large parks are planned alongside the trail and its existing wetland features. A variety of
housing types are included within the project, including generational housing that allows different
types of families to live together within a single unit. The project is oriented to take advantage of
the spectacular views of the Bridgers, Spanish Peaks and Gallatin ranges and is scaled to largely
provide a neighborhood feel.
15. N-4.4 Ensure an adequate supply of off-leash facilities to meet the demand of Bozeman dog
owners.
Dog owners will have several off-leash facilities purpose-built and designed for their needs.
Several dog parks are planned within parks and open spaces at Blackwood Groves to ensure their
needs are met. See Appendix E – Parks Master Plan for additional information on the proposed
off-leash amenities.
16. Theme 3 - A City Bolstered by Downtown and Complimentary Districts
The vision of Blackwood Groves is to create its own district that compliments other significant
districts in Bozeman. The goal and vision are not to eliminate the desire to travel to other districts
in the City; but instead to create a variety of great local uses and commercial services, while not
directly competing with other areas.
17. Goal DCD-3: Ensure multi-modal connectivity within the City.
Blackwood Groves will have full connectivity for pedestrians and bikes via a series of linear parks,
green connections, shared use paths, and bike lanes. The Gallagator Trail runs along the eastern
border of the site, which connects to Downtown Bozeman. A full park and trail system is planned
for the Gallagator Trail within Blackwood Groves. One of the premier parks within the community
will house the trail system. In addition, two significant collector streets – 11th Avenue and
Blackwood Road – run through the site, connecting it directly to the broader Bozeman community.
18. DCD-3.3: Identify major existing and future destinations for biking and walking to aid in
prioritization of route planning and completion.
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Blackwood Groves was designed around a few key features, both on site and off site, namely, a
stream corridor, existing tree grove, nearby assets like Sacajawea Middle School and Morningstar
Elementary, and continuing key connections along the collectors of Blackwood and 11th. The site
was designed to enhance each one of these elements and the site plan allows for multiple
connections to each one of these key features. See Appendix N - Street Sections and Appendix E –
Parks Master Plan for additional information on proposed connections.
19. Theme 4 A City Influenced by Our Natural Environment, Parks, and Open Lands.
The initial planning for Blackwood Groves was based on the premise of preserving a
preponderance of the site’s natural elements. A large existing grove of trees will be preserved
with a large community park planned around it. An existing wetland running along the eastern
portion of the site (adjacent to the future extension of the Gallagator Trail) is being preserved as
much as possible. While 11th Ave was intended to run through the widest portion of the wetland,
Blackwood Groves is shifting 11th Ave to the west slightly to allow the important collector street to
run through the narrowest portion – minimizing any impact on the wetland itself (See Figure 2,
above, and Appendix O). Lastly, the view corridors of the nearby mountain ranges are enhanced
as several streets are proposed to be shifted away from a strict grid, which allows for direct views
of both the Bridger and Spanish Peaks ranges.
20. Goal EPO-1: Prioritize strategic acquisition of parks to provide a variety of recreational
opportunities throughout the City.
The project is incorporating a significant number of parks and open spaces throughout the
community. Amenities are proposed for each park, all of which were thoughtfully designed with
specific uses in mind based on the nearest residential product types. For instance, in areas where
many young families are anticipated to live, playgrounds and play areas for children are proposed.
In higher density residential areas, off-leash dog parks, scavenger hunts and outdoor working
areas are proposed. In addition, several fitness loops are proposed with organic fitness equipment
and stations throughout the project. See Appendix E – Parks Master Plan for additional
information on the proposed parks.
21. EPO-1.3: Incorporate unique and inclusive recreational and artistic elements into parks.
The proposed Blackwood Groves parks incorporate several unique and inclusive elements
throughout the entire development. Neighborhood parks provide active features with scavenger
hunts, nature play features, playground equipment, community gardens, dog parks and fitness
stations to serve a wide variety of age groups throughout the neighborhood. The existing mature
trees are being preserved and incorporated into Park 3 to create a unique, interactive park space
adjacent to residential uses and the community’s town center. See Appendix E – Parks Master
Plan for additional information on the proposed parks.
22. EPO-1.5: Work with partner organizations to identify and reduce impacts on at-risk,
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environmentally sensitive areas to contribute to water quality, wildlife corridors, or wildlife
habitat, specifically wildlife habitat as we continue outward growth.
Blackwood Groves was designed with a focus on preserving the natural elements that exist within
the property. Natural watercourse corridors are being maintained with 50-ft wetland setbacks
provided on both sides to create a minimum 100-ft corridor along the site’s natural watercourses.
The existing tree grove is being preserved and incorporated into Park 3. Importantly, there is an
existing wetland that runs near the eastern border of the site. While 11th Avenue was originally
designed to cut through the widest area of the wetland (per the City’s long range Transportation
Plan), we worked closely with City staff to shift 11th westward to limit any impacts on this
important natural element. See Figure 2, above, and Appendix O.
23. EPO-2: Work to ensure that development is responsive to natural features.
The master planning efforts for Blackwood Groves began with identification of important natural
features of the site – namely, an existing grove of trees, a wetland on the eastern portion of the
project, and amazing views of the nearby ranges. These features shaped the initial planning for
streets and parks. 11th Ave was shifted westward to protect as much of the wetland as possible
and minimize the impact on this important feature. Through this shift, 11th Ave and Spring Ridge
were re-aligned to ensure perfect views of the Bridger and Spanish Peaks ranges – both for
pedestrians walking along the sidewalks as well as for drivers. Lastly, the grove of trees is being
preserved and enhanced as part of a park itself that will take advantage of the beautiful natural
features with organic playground equipment.
24. EPO-3: Address climate change in the City’s plans and operations.
See response #1 above.
25. EPO-3.2: Ensure complete streets and identify long-term resources for the maintenance of year-
round bike and multi-use paths to improve utilization and reduce annual per capita miles traveled.
Long-term maintenance and snow removal were thoughtfully designed into each street, alley and
park and green connection throughout the project. Specific requirements and maintenance plans
will be addressed within the Master Covenant (CCR’s) and Design Guidelines (Appendix L). Bike
and multi-use paths will be maintained and able to be used year-round.
26. EPO-3.3: Support water conservation, use of native plants in landscaping, and development of
The project proposes to use native and drought-tolerant plants where practical (and allowed
under City standards). Watercourse plantings along the site’s natural watercourses will also be
provided. Parks and open spaces will be irrigated with exempt irrigation wells using efficient
watering techniques and technologies to promote water conservation. See Appendix E – Parks
Master Plan for additional information on the proposed plantings and irrigation plan.
27. EPO-3.10: Inclusion of community gardens, edible landscaping, and urban micro-farms as part of
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open spaces outside of watercourses and wetlands in subdivision is encouraged where
appropriate.
Several neighborhoods are envisioned to include community gardens. For example, Park 5 and the
Cottage Communities proposed in Phase I include a garden area for residents to plant and harvest
edible landscaping and urban micro-farms. See Appendix E – Parks Master Plan for additional
information on the proposed community gardens.
28. Goal 5 A City that Prioritizes Accessibility and Mobility Choices.
While the project has been designed with safe streets and access for pedestrians and bikers, it is
also comprehensively planned for auto vehicles with sufficient parking throughout. Street sections
have been reviewed with City Staff to ensure compliance with all City needs. In addition, the Parks
Master Plan, including linear parks, provides for easy and safe pedestrian and bike connections
throughout the project.
29. Goal M-1: Ensure multimodal accessibility.
The master planning efforts for the entire community considered pedestrians and bike riders first
and foremost. The goal was to allow for a “park once” community, where residents and members
of the community could arrive at the project and only return to their car when they need to leave
the community. But once on-site, easy pedestrian access would be the primary focus. That said,
vehicle access and parking will be sufficient based on current requirements and public
transportation is currently envisioned to be added to our future town center to allow for easy
access to Montana State University and other areas of the City. See Appendix N - Street Sections
and Appendix E – Parks Master Plan for additional information on proposed connections.
30. M-1.5: Identify locations for key mobility hubs (e.g. rideshare drop off/pick up areas, bike/scooter
share, transit service, bike, and pedestrian connections).
A mobility hub will be incorporated into the future Town Center within Blackwood Groves.
Discussions have been held with HRDC for a Streamline bus route directly to the core of the
property – particularly with the project’s location within an education hub in mind (Montana State
University, Sacajawea Middle School and Morningstar Elementary School).
31. M-2.5: Develop safe crossing along priority and high utilization pedestrian and biking corridor.
All infrastructure proposed within the project includes safe paths for pedestrians and bikers. The
Street Sections proposed throughout the project include either separate bike lanes or shared use
lanes. In addition, Safe Routes to School with specific signage will be incorporated through the
linear parks and green connections that will afford a safe passage to Sacajawea from each
neighborhood within the broader project. Linear parks and green connections include bulb-outs at
intersections to provide a short and safe crossing.
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III. SUBDIVISION PRELIMINARY PLAT SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
The Preliminary Plat application must include the following information:
1. Complete and signed development review application Form A1.
The A1 form has been included with this submittal.
2. Project narrative describing the project type, proposed use scope, type of buildings, and intent.
The narrative must include a response to the City’s pre-app plan review comments.
The narrative is included above and the response to the City’s Pre-application Comments is included
at the end of this document.
3. If the overall development plan is to be developed in phases, provide a phasing plan.
The Phase Plan has been included as Appendix A. A project schedule for the initial subdivision phase
has also been submitted as Appendix T.
4. A written statement describing any requested subdivision variance(s) and the facts of hardship
upon which the request is based. Refer to 38.250.080, BMC and the SVAR Checklist.
This subdivision has not requested any variances.
5. Covenants, Restrictions, and Articles of Incorporation for the Property Owners’ Association.
A draft of the Covenants, Restrictions, and Articles of Incorporation for the Property Owners’
Association has been included as Appendix L.
6. Encroachment permits or a letter indicating intention to issue a permit where new streets,
easements, rights-of-way or driveways intersect State, County, or City highways, streets or roads.
Encroachment permits are not anticipated for this project. The Montana Department of
Transportation (MDT) has indicated that this section of South 19th Avenue is covered under a
Citywide Agreement between the City of Bozeman and MDT classifying this section as an urban
route that will not require an encroachment permit.
7. A letter of approval or preliminary approval from the City of Bozeman where a zoning change is
necessary.
This item is not applicable to this subdivision submittal.
8. Provision of maintenance of all streets (including emergency access), parks, and other required
improvements if not dedicated to the public or if private.
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All streets, parks, and other required public improvements will be dedicated to the public and the
provision for maintenance will be stated on the final plat for each future phase.
9. A Noxious Weed Management and Revegetation Plan approved by the Weed Control District for
control of noxious weeds.
The required plan has been included as Appendix AB.
10. A preliminary platting certificate prepared by a Montana title company.
The required certificate has been included as Appendix Z.
11. A draft of such other appropriate certificates.
All required certificates have been included.
12. Profile sheets for street grades greater than five percent.
No street grades greater than five percent are proposed.
13. Property owners’. A certified list of adjoining property owners’, their mailing addresses and
property description, including property owners’ across public rights-of-way and/or easements.
The list of adjoining owners’ has been included with this submittal.
14. When a subdivision does not qualify for the certification established in 38.240.100, the subdivider
must provide information regarding sanitation set forth in MCA 76-3-622.
The subdivision qualifies for the certification established in 38.240.100.
15. List of waivers granted from the requirements of 38.220.060, BMC during the pre-application
process.
No waivers from the requirements of Plat Supplements called for UDC Sec. 38.220.060 were granted
during the Pre-application process, therefore the required supplements have been included in the
Preliminary Plat Supplements document located in Appendix C.
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IV. Response to DRC Comments (File No. 20-447)
Replying to the DRC provided by City Staff on February 2021, the following responses are included in
this RC submittal. The Table of Contents also provides additional direction to relevant response
materials.
No. Comment Review Entity Response/Comments
1 The applicant is advised that unmet code
provisions, or code provisions that are not
specifically listed as conditions of approval, does
not, in any way, create a waiver or other relaxation
of the lawful requirements of the Bozeman
Municipal Code or state law.
Planning –
Conditions of
Approval
Understood.
2 The plat shall conform to all requirements of the
Bozeman Municipal Code and the Uniform
Standards for Subdivision Plats (Uniform Standards
for Certificates of Survey and Subdivision Plats
24.183.1104 ARM) and shall be accompanied by all
required documents, including certification from
the City Engineer that as-built drawings for public
improvements were received, a platting certificate,
and all required and corrected certificates. The
Final Plat application shall include three (3) signed
reproducible copies on a 3 mil or heavier stable
base polyester film (or equivalent); two (2) digital
copies; one (1) PDF copy; and five (5) paper prints.
The Gallatin County Clerk & Recorder’s office has
elected to continue the existing medium
requirements of 2 mylars with a 1½” binding margin
on one side for both plats and COS’s. The Clerk and
Recorder will file the new Conditions of Approval
sheet as the last same sized mylar sheet in the plat
set.
Planning –
Conditions of
Approval
Understood.
3 The final plat must provide all necessary utility
easements and must be described, dimensioned
and shown on each subdivision block of the final
plat in their true and correct location.
Planning –
Conditions of
Approval
Understood.
4 Any public access easement for the common open
spaces must be provided as a separate document
describing the scope of the grant of easement and
naming a custodian of the public’s interest in the
easement.
Planning –
Conditions of
Approval
Understood.
5 The applicant must include a note on the conditions
of approval sheet of the final plat that states that
maintenance of all stormwater facilities, including
stormwater facilities within the park parcel, is the
responsibility of the property owners’ association
(POA).
Planning –
Conditions of
Approval
Understood.
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6 The approved affordable housing plan must be
recorded concurrent with the final plat and a
reference to the recorded document must be
provided on the conditions of approval page of the
final plat. The reference on the conditions of
approval sheet must be “This subdivision is subject
to affordable housing requirements. The
subdivision’s requirements and obligations can be
found in the Bridger Meadows Affordable Housing
Plan recorded as document no.___________ at the
Gallatin County Clerk and Recorders Office.”
Planning –
Conditions of
Approval
No longer applicable.
7 The applicant must add a note to the conditions of
approval sheet of the plat that all stormwater
infrastructure located outside of the public right-of-
way must be maintained by the property owners’
association (POA).
Planning –
Conditions of
Approval
Understood.
1 Everything but conditions of approval and required
signature block for conditions of approval need to
be on sheet 1 of the plat.
Planning Understood.
2 The park/greenway corridor replaces the frontage
of a lot onto a street. Any of the lots that front onto
a park or open space should have the sidewalk
placed on the lots as a 10 foot wide easement with
a 5 foot wide sidewalk rather than in the park or
open space. This should be reflected along the lots
in Block 8, 10, 11, 20, and 22.
Planning The sidewalks/trails are
located within the parks to
provide a clear, public
sidewalk/trail connection to
the Subdivision’s major parks
and neighborhood core while
also providing foot traffic
entrances to the lots fronting
on the parks. These
sidewalks/trails also frame
the linear parks in order to
activate smaller, public
recreation areas scattered
across the entire subdivision.
3 If it is determined that the waterway along lots 1-6
in block 28 is an actual waterway and not a ditch,
information is required on how the watercourse
setback will be mitigated for. A landscape plan will
be required for these lots and a restriction will also
be required that the landscaping cannot be mowed
or altered. The building envelope diagram appears
to show that the lot is buildable into the
watercourse setback which is not allowed per
38.410.100. There should be some sort of
delineation of the wetland boundary on the lot (i.e.
fence). The developer is required to do the
watercourse landscaping and provide a barrier. The
planting plan will be required to be installed with
Phase 8 Final Plat.
Planning The applicant has
coordinated with the City
Engineering Department on
these watercourse setbacks.
Please see the Watercourse
Summary Memo in Appendix
O for the summary of these
determinations. The
landscape plan for Lots 1-6,
Block 28 is included in Sheet
L316.
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4 The lighting at some of the intersections states that
they are 0.0 while there are street lights located
there. Please clarify or update.
Planning Please see the updated
lighting plan in Appendix P
and within the “plans” folder
of the preliminary plat
application.
5 The path through park 14, open space D, park 5,
park 3, and open space B is considered a midblock
crossing which requires 1 tree for every 50 feet per
38.550.050.D. Please adjust the landscape plans to
reflect this.
Planning The landscape plans have
been updated to include 1
tree for every 50 feet. Please
reference Landscape Plan
sheets L305, L306, L310,
L313, and L315.
1 On sheet L600, specify that overhead irrigation
sprinkler heads will be installed and adjusted
properly to minimize water over throw onto the
pavement.
Water
Conservation
Division
Sheet L600 has been updated
to meet this expectation.
2 On sheet L600, specify the installation of water
efficient sprinkler (multi-spray, multi-trajectory or
rotating spray) nozzles.
Water
Conservation
Division
Sheet L600 has been updated
to meet this expectation.
3 On sheets L601, L602, L603, L604, L605, L606, L607,
L608, L609, specify the total landscaped (trees,
shrubs, perennials) area in square feet to be
irrigated with drip irrigation.
Water
Conservation
Division
All sheets have been updated
to meet this expectation.
1 The applicant is required to meet with the Forestry
Division Manager prior to construction. A tree
preservation and removal plan must be agreed
upon for existing trees.
Forestry Understood.
1 The easement on the south side of the lots for block
8 should be relocated to the 30 foot wide public
utility easement.
NWE There is not adequate space
to move the utility easement
to the 30-ft public utility
easement in the alley. The
alley has public water and
sanitary sewer mains and
requires the entire 30-ft
easement. Rather than
having all utilities packed
into the alley, the applicant is
proposing to separate the
private utilities to the front
yards of the lots fronting park
space. An 8-ft wide asphalt
trail or 5-6 ft wide sidewalk
will run adjacent and parallel
to this easement which will
provide a hardscaped access
for equipment to be able to
access any private utility
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equipment located in the
easement.
2 The utility easement on blocks 20 and 22 should
front onto the alley and not the park.
NWE There is not adequate space
to move the utility easement
to the 30-ft public utility
easement in the alley. The
alley has public water and
sanitary sewer mains and
requires the entire 30-ft
easement. Rather than
having all utilities packed
into the alley, the applicant is
proposing to separate the
private utilities to the front
yards of the lots fronting park
space. An 8-ft wide asphalt
trail or 5-6 ft wide sidewalk
will run adjacent and parallel
to this easement which will
provide a hardscaped access
for equipment to be able to
access any private utility
equipment located in the
easement.
1 Section 38.220, All preliminary plat requirements,
as outlined in Article 220, shall be provided with the
preliminary plat submittal, unless otherwise
approved by the Development Review Committee
via waiver.
Standard Code
Provisions
Required
Understood.
2 Section 38.240.050, Disposition of Water Rights.
Water rights, or cash-in-lieu thereof, as calculated
by the Director of Public Works, is due with the filing
of each subdivision final plat.
Standard Code
Provisions
Required
Understood.
3 Per Section 38.240.420, Mortgagee. If there are
liens or mortgages against the property, the
appropriate Mortgagee certificate must be
included.
Standard Code
Provisions
Required
Understood.
4 Section 38.400.110.B.1, Transportation Pathways.
Developers must install transportation pathways, to
provide adequate multimodal transportation
facilities within the development, as part of the
required development improvements.
Transportation pathways must be Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible, and include the
following types of facilities:
a. Sidewalks (also see division 38.510 for
sidewalk standards, depending on the applicable
block frontage designation);
Standard Code
Provisions
Required
Understood. The updated
Landscape Plans and Parks
Master Plan provide this
information.
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b. On-street bike lanes and bike routes;
c. Boulevard trails; and
d. Class I trails;
i. With the exception of trail
corridors within required watercourse
setbacks, corridors for Class I trails must be
dedicated to the city. The dedicated trail
corridor must be at least 25 feet in width
to ensure adequate room for the
construction, maintenance and use of the
trail. Transportation trail corridors cannot
be used to satisfy parkland dedication
requirements; and
e. Pathways that connect community or
neighborhood commercial nodes by a reasonably
direct route; or
f. Pathways that connect major residential,
employment, educational, or other service nodes
by a reasonably direct route.
5 Section 38.400.110.B.2, Recreation pathways. For
the definition of recreation pathways, please see
section 38.420.110.B. Delineate recreation and
transportation pathways in the preliminary plat
submittal.
Standard Code
Provisions
Required
The updated Landscape
Plans and Parks Master Plan
provide details on the
proposed recreation and
transportation pathways.
6 Section 38.410.060, Utility easements shall be
provided in accordance with the UDC. The required
10-foot front yard easement is required for all lots
unless written confirmation is submitted with the
preliminary plat from ALL utility companies
providing service indicating that front yard
easements are not needed.
Standard Code
Provisions
Required
The applicant will secure
written confirmation from all
utility companies prior to the
final plat approval. The
applicant discussed this item
with the project planner and
determined that this would
be necessary for final plat
and not required for
preliminary plat.
7 Section 38.410.080.D, Grading and Drainage.
Proposed storm water facilities must be
constructed and contained on an individual lot as a
common area(s) or parkland owned by the City and
maintained by the property owners’ association and
noted accordingly in the protective covenants.
Standard Code
Provisions
Required
Understood, the plans and
POA documents contain the
required details in response
to this comment.
8 Section 38.410.080.H, Landscape Amenities.
Stormwater retention/detention facilities in
landscaped areas shall be designed as landscape
amenities. They shall be an organic feature with a
natural, curvilinear shape. The facilities shall have
75 percent of surface area covered with live
vegetation appropriate for the depth and design of
the retention/detention facility, and be lined with
native grasses, indigenous plants, wet root tolerant
plant types and groupings of boulders to create a
functional yet, natural site feature.
Standard Code
Provisions
Required
Understood.
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9 Section 38.410.120, If mail delivery will not be to
each individual lot within the development, the
developer shall provide an off-street area for mail
delivery within the development in cooperation
with the USPS. It shall not be the responsibility of
the City to maintain or plow any mail delivery area
constructed within a City right-of-way. If cluster
boxes are use a dedicated area to pull up and access
the boxes must be provided.
Standard Code
Provisions
Required
Understood. The applicant
will continue to coordinate
with the USPS on cluster box
locations.
10 Section 38.550.070 requires that the perimeter
external streets of the subdivision be constructed
with a vegetative boulevard, street trees and
irrigation in the public right of way.
Standard Code
Provisions
Required
Understood.
11 Section 38.220.310, Property Owners’ Association.
All areas reserved for open space and other
common areas (i.e., storm water facilities) to be
owned and maintained by the property owners’
association will need to be identified on the
preliminary plat as “common open space”, not
“open space”, and so noted accordingly in the
property owners’ association documents.
Standard Code
Provisions
Required
Understood, the POA
documents contain the
requisite language.
12 Section 38.220.320, Covenants. Covenants,
restrictions, and articles of incorporation for the
creation of a property owners’ association shall be
submitted with the final plat application for review
and approval by the Department of Community
Development and shall contain, but not be limited
to the following items: 1) the orientation and
setbacks for corner lots, 2) all additional setbacks
required when lots are adjacent to pathway
corridors and minor arterial roads, 3) provisions for
fences, 4) provisions for snow removal,
maintenance and upkeep of all common areas,
public and private parks, trails, storm water runoff
facilities, 5) guidelines that outline architectural and
landscape requirements for each individual lot
and/or phase of the subdivision, including
placement of boulevard trees at a regular spacing
for each residential lot, 6) provisions that outline
the renewal of an annual contract with a certified
landscape nursery person for the upkeep and
maintenance of all parklands, common open space,
trails, etc., 7) landscape details for detention ponds,
outlet structures, boulevard trees, parkland,
irrigation, etc., 8) mitigation of groundwater with
established floor elevations, 9) noxious weed
control, and 10) assessment of existing and future
Special Improvement Districts.
These documents shall be submitted to the city
attorney and shall not be accepted by the City until
Standard Code
Provisions
Required
Understood. A draft of these
covenants has been included
with this submittal as
Appendix L.
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approved as to legal form and effect. A draft of
these documents must be submitted for review and
approval by the Community Development
Department at least 30 working days prior to
submitting a final plat application. These
documents shall be executed and submitted with
the initial final plat to be filed with the Gallatin
County Clerk and Recorder at the time of final plat
recordation.
13 Section 38.270.030, Completion of Improvements.
If it is the developer’s intent to file the plat prior to
the completion of all required improvements, an
Improvements Agreement shall be entered into
with the City of Bozeman guaranteeing the
completion of all improvements in accordance with
the preliminary plat submittal information and
conditions of approval. If the final plat is filed prior
to the installation of all improvements, the
developer shall supply the City of Bozeman with an
acceptable method of security equal to 150 percent
of the cost of the remaining improvements.
Standard Code
Provisions
Required
Understood.
14 Section 38.270.040, Special provisions for timing of
certain improvements. Park, pathway, boulevard,
and neighborhood center improvements must be
installed or financially guaranteed prior to final plat
approval.
Standard Code
Provisions
Required
Understood.
15 Section 38.220.050.A.8, requires that any noxious
weeds be identified and mapped by a person with
experience in weed management and
knowledgeable in weed identification. A noxious
weed management and revegetation plan,
approved by the County Weed Control District, shall
be submitted with the preliminary plat.
Standard Code
Provisions
Required
A Noxious Weed
Management Plan has been
included as Appendix AB.
16 Section 38.220.050.A.5, Documents and
Certificates. A draft copy of the covenants,
restrictions, and articles of incorporation for the
creation of a property owners’ association shall be
submitted with the preliminary plat application for
review and approval by the Community
Development Department and shall contain, but
not be limited to, provisions for assessment,
maintenance, repair and upkeep of private streets,
common open space areas, public parkland/open
space corridors, mail delivery areas, stormwater
facilities, public trails, sidewalks, snow removal, and
other areas common to the association pursuant to
38.220 Part 1 of the Bozeman Unified Development
Code.
Standard Code
Provisions
Required
These have been included
with this submittal as
Appendix L.
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17 Section 38.220.020, The developer must provide
the community development department with a
copy of all required streambed, streambank or
wetlands permits, or written notification from the
appropriate agency that a permit is not required,
prior to the commencement of any work on the site
and/or final plat approval, whichever is sooner.
Standard Code
Provisions
Required
Understood. These will be
provided prior to the
commencement of any site
work and/or Final Plat
approval.
18 Section 38.240.110, A complete preliminary plat
application shall be submitted to the Community
Development Department within one calendar year
of the date the Community Development
Department dates, signs and places pre-application
comments in the outgoing mail.
Standard Code
Provisions
Required
Understood.
Staff recommends approval of the Blackwood
Groves Park Master Plan with code corrections and
conditions of approval. Staff recommends approval
of the watercourse setbacks and stormwater
facilities within the design of the larger park area as
this land will provide valuable trail connections,
unobstructed frontage for the parks, and attractive
trail and park side features; however, the land
cannot be counted toward the required parkland
amount. The stormwater facilities shall remain the
long-term maintenance responsibility of the
Property Owners Association. Inclusion of the
above is not considered a “waiver” and the
equivalent area of land shall be provided as either
land or CILP as recommended by the Recreation and
Parks Advisory Board and finally approved by the
City Commission.
Parks Understood. The applicant is
no longer requesting
inclusion of stormwater
facilities as dedicated
parkland.
1 The level of detail provided within the Master Plan
Park Landscape drawings has not been
reviewed/approved. Please note that the designs
are preliminary on each drawing with a watermark
or other clearly visible indication that further review
is required at preliminary plat.
Parks – Code
Corrections
Understood. Plans have been
updated accordingly.
2 With the passing of the Parks and Trails District,
park maintenance responsibility will fall to the Parks
Division upon acceptance of parkland dedication
(easement or deed) or park staff acceptance of
improvements, whichever comes later.
Parks – Code
Corrections
Understood.
3 To mitigate for the unconsolidated parkland
configuration, fewer improvements-in-lieu should
be provided above what is required and/or smaller
parks should be changed to open space parcels to
lessen long-term maintenance responsibilities of
the Parks and Recreation Department. Adjust the
proposal/summary of IILP within Master Park Plan
and consider the following adjustments within
Parks – Code
Corrections
See Parks Master Plan RC #1:
Appendix C for an updated
Improvements in Lieu
estimate.
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individual park plans, to be confirmed at the time of
preliminary plat review:
a. Trail crossings within street section should
be enhanced as part of the Improvements-in-lieu
proposal. Raised trail surface or pavement markings
must be approved by engineering.
b. Add more trees as part of the
Improvements-in-lieu proposal.
c. Move certain proposed improvements into
private open space lots.
d. Increase number of bike racks.
e. Count expenses related to the ADA on-
street parking spaces toward IILP.
f. Add small parking lot or back-in angled
parking areas to larger parks. Anywhere that angled
parking adjoins parkland, an additional 2 feet is
required to sidewalk/trail width to account for
vehicle overhangs.
1 The Master Park Plan Conditions of Approval shall
be added as an addendum to the Park Master Plan.
Parks – Parks
Master Plan
Conditions of
Approval
Understood. See Parks
Master Plan RC #1 document
Section 5: City of Bozeman
Conditions of Approval.
2 Upon phased development of the Blackwood
Groves Park Master Plan, the applicant shall submit
to the department, sequential individual site plan
for specific areas within the master site plan. Each
subsequent application for a site plan shall be
consistent with the approved master site plan and
subject to the review criteria of Unified
Development Code (including but not limited to
38.230.100.A, 38.220.060.A.16, 38.420,
38.410.100) PROST Plan, Park-naming policy, CILP
Criteria/IILP proposal and other relevant
requirements.
Parks – Parks
Master Plan
Conditions of
Approval
Understood.
3 Section 38.420.070.A.2. Blackwood Groves Park
Master Plan conceptually approves inclusion of the
stormwater features shown. Further review and
conditions will be determined prior to preliminary
plat approval. Stormwater areas to be removed
from the required land calculation and shall be
maintained by the POA.
Parks – Parks
Master Plan
Conditions of
Approval
Understood, these
stormwater facilities have
been removed from the
required parkland
calculation.
4 Although an easement or parkland dedication is
required at the time of initial subdivision, the Parks
and Recreation Department does not assume
maintenance responsibility until improvements
within each phase have been installed and fully
accepted on behalf of the City, or at Final Plat
whichever comes later.
Parks – Parks
Master Plan
Conditions of
Approval
Understood. See Parks
Master Plan Section 1:
Maintenance for the
inclusion of this agreement.
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5 Trail Classifications per 38.420.110. shall be
determined at the time of individual park plan
review. Trails in parkland and open space parcels
shall be of a consistent specification.
Parks – Parks
Master Plan
Conditions of
Approval
All trail classifications in
parkland and open space
areas have been identified in
the Parks Master Plan.
6 The City of Bozeman is developing a city-wide
wayfinding program. Wayfinding improvements
shall not be installed as improvements-in-lieu until
completion of a city-wide wayfinding plan or must
be reviewed for compliance with the City’s existing
parks sign specifications.
Parks – Parks
Master Plan
Conditions of
Approval
Understood. All wayfinding
improvements have been
removed from Phase 1 in
order to give the City time to
complete its city-wide
wayfinding plan.
Improvements for Phase 1
wayfinding will be installed
within Phase 2.
7 All trails or pathways within parks that serve as
egress for buildings must be maintained by the POA.
Parks – Parks
Master Plan
Conditions of
Approval
Understood.
8 Placeholder: Additional conditions as required by
the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board
Subdivision Review Committee or City Commission.
Parks – Parks
Master Plan
Conditions of
Approval
Understood.
1 No Park Site Plan/Landscaping Sheet was provided
for Park 4.
Parks –
Preliminary Plat
Requirements
prior to PP
Approval
See Phase 1-3 Concept Park
Drawings for the conceptual
park plan for Park #4 and all
other Phase 1 parks.
2 Remove Landscaping Sheets for future phase parks
from the Phase 1 application (see item 3).
Parks –
Preliminary Plat
Requirements
prior to PP
Approval
Understood.
3 Make corrections to trail alignments and
consolidate per meeting with Park staff.
Parks –
Preliminary Plat
Requirements
prior to PP
Approval
See Phase 1-3 Concept Park
Drawings for the conceptual
park plans for all Linear
Parks, including the agreed
upon trail alignments.
4 To mitigate for the unconsolidated parkland
proposal, staff recommends that fewer
improvements-in-lieu be provided beyond that
required in order to lessen long-term maintenance
responsibilities. The following adjustments are
recommended:
a. Trail crossings within street section should
be enhanced as part of the Improvements-in-lieu
proposal. Raised trail surface or pavement markings
must be approved by engineering.
b. Add more trees as part of the
Improvements-in-lieu proposal.
c. Move certain proposed improvements into
private open space lots.
d. Increase number of bike racks.
Parks –
Preliminary Plat
Requirements
prior to PP
Approval
See Parks Master Plan RC #1:
Appendix C for an updated
Improvements in Lieu
estimate.
BLACKWOOD GROVES
Subdivision Preliminary Plat Narrative – RC#1
April 2021
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e. Count expenses related to the ADA on-
street parking spaces toward IILP.
f. Add small parking lot or back-in angled
parking areas to larger parks. Anywhere that angled
parking adjoins parkland, an additional 2 feet is
required to sidewalk/trail width to account for
vehicle overhangs.
g. Provide secure well-house or other feature
to protect wellheads, electric meters, etc.
h. Within larger parks, provide sheds for
maintenance equipment (if this feature is not
added, please indicate a location for future storage
sheds and mark as a “future” improvement)
5 Details provided in Landscape drawings do not
meet the requirement in Sec. 38.220.060.A.16:
a. Additional information regarding phase 1
park furniture or other proposed IILP is required,
including proposed locations within the park.
b. Provide lot dimensions and area
calculation on all parkland sheets.
c. No information regarding irrigation is
provided.
Parks –
Preliminary Plat
Requirements
prior to PP
Approval
Detailed landscape
Construction Drawings, park
amenities, and a detailed
cost estimate for all parks
will be provided at sequential
individual site plan
applications for each phase
of construction. At this stage
of the development, see
Phase 1-3 Concept Park
Drawings for current
proposed park
improvements and locations
(Appendix E of the Parks
Master Plan).
6 Sec. 38.220.060.A.16. includes the requirement for
approval of the final park plan by the review
authority with a recommendation from the city
recreation and parks advisory board prior to any site
work. This application will be reviewed by RPAB or
its subdivision review committee prior to
preliminary plat approval. City Commission will give
preliminary approval concurrently with preliminary
plat.
Parks –
Preliminary Plat
Requirements
prior to PP
Approval
Understood.
7 Others to be determined upon submittal of
individual park site plans for all Phase 1 parks.
Parks –
Preliminary Plat
Requirements
prior to PP
Approval
Understood.
1 Park easements required for all parks at Final Plat.
Provide, for all 16 parks, exhibits/adapt the
Landscaping set to support the required preliminary
plat park easements with land area, area of
stormwater features, watercourse setbacks,
well/irrigation easements and park dimensions
clearly denoted.
Parks –
Preliminary Plat
Conditions of
Approval
required prior
to
preconstruction
meeting or
Final Plat if to
Easements for parks will be
provided at each phased
Final Plat submittal.
BLACKWOOD GROVES
Subdivision Preliminary Plat Narrative – RC#1
April 2021
Page 33 of 48
be financially
guaranteed
2 A separate maintenance access easement from the
City is required for access to stormwater features
prior to Final Plat or City acceptance of parkland,
whichever comes later. Prepare easement
documents that include the area of access for
stormwater feature maintenance.
Parks –
Preliminary Plat
Conditions of
Approval
required prior
to
preconstruction
meeting or
Final Plat if to
be financially
guaranteed
Easements for stormwater
facilities will be provided at
each phased Final Plat
submittal.
3 Easements for trails within open space parcels shall
include agreement to utilize city-wide wayfinding
and allow parks staff to install and/or repair
wayfinding.
Parks –
Preliminary Plat
Conditions of
Approval
required prior
to
preconstruction
meeting or
Final Plat if to
be financially
guaranteed
Understood. This language
has been added to the Parks
Master Plan RC #1
document.
4 A note on the plat and within park maintenance
documents shall indicate that snow-clearing of park
trails/sidewalks that serve as primary egress shall
be the sole responsibility of the POA.
Parks –
Preliminary Plat
Conditions of
Approval
required prior
to
preconstruction
meeting or
Final Plat if to
be financially
guaranteed
See Parks Master Plan RC #1
document Section 5: City of
Bozeman Conditions of
Approval.
5 A preconstruction meeting with Park Division is
required prior to any site work.
Parks –
Preliminary Plat
Conditions of
Approval
required prior
to
preconstruction
meeting or
Final Plat if to
be financially
guaranteed
Understood.
BLACKWOOD GROVES
Subdivision Preliminary Plat Narrative – RC#1
April 2021
Page 34 of 48
6 City Commission will adopt the final park plan by
resolution prior to any site work.
Parks –
Preliminary Plat
Conditions of
Approval
required prior
to
preconstruction
meeting or
Final Plat if to
be financially
guaranteed
Understood.
7 Prior to final plan approval, applicants must show
conformance with 38.420.080.A.1.a.
a. It is recommended that applicants
decrease areas of sod.
b. Mulched Planting beds – no detail is
shown. Ensure mulched areas are consolidated into
larger spaces more easily maintained.
Parks –
Preliminary Plat
Conditions of
Approval
required prior
to
preconstruction
meeting or
Final Plat if to
be financially
guaranteed
a. A reduction of sod is being
considered throughout all
park designs. Due to the
nature of the linear parks and
their usage and frontage, sod
has been selected for ease of
maintenance and aesthetic.
At Parks 1, 2, 3, & 4, the
majority will be planted with
native seed, with a few
carefully placed mulched
planting beds and lawn
areas. The percentage
allocated within the Phase 1
parks is approximately 36%
sod and 48% native seed.
b. Detailed planting plans for
mulched planting beds will
be provided at sequential
individual site plan
applications. 75% of the
plant material installed will
be drought tolerant varieties
per Sec 38.550.050.B of the
BMC. Simplicity of
maintenance will also be
prioritized.
8 A note shall be added to the final plat stating:
Although an easement or parkland dedication is
required at the time of initial subdivision, the Parks
and Recreation Department does not assume
maintenance responsibility until park
improvements have been installed and fully
accepted on behalf of the City or at Final Plat,
whichever comes later.
Parks –
Preliminary Plat
Conditions of
Approval
required prior
to
preconstruction
meeting or
Final Plat if to
be financially
guaranteed
See Parks Master Plan RC #1
document Section 5: City of
Bozeman Conditions of
Approval.
BLACKWOOD GROVES
Subdivision Preliminary Plat Narrative – RC#1
April 2021
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9 Others to be determined upon submittal of all
Phase 1 Park Plans.
Parks –
Preliminary Plat
Conditions of
Approval
required prior
to
preconstruction
meeting or
Final Plat if to
be financially
guaranteed
Understood.
1 Bozeman Municipal Code (BMC) 38.230.100.A.12:
As presented, the phasing plan is difficult to follow
given the complexity and scale of the development.
Please provide a detailed phasing plan
accompanied with exhibits that show how the
development intends to build out. In addition, the
phasing plan should clearly show sanitary sewer,
water, storm, street, buildings, trails, and other
critical infrastructure that is needed to support the
specific phases of the development.
a. It is advisable to color code infrastructure
or create drawings for each phase of the
development to clearly identify infrastructure
proposed and existing with respective phases.
Engineering -
General
A detailed phasing plan is
included in Appendix A and in
the “Phasing Exhibits Set”
provided in the civil
plans/exhibits. The “Phasing
Exhibits Set” provides
exhibits of each individual
phase. Phasing boundaries
are also provided on the
preliminary plat.
1 BMC 38.400.110 Transportation Pathways – A 25
feet wide public access easement is required for all
class I trails. A smaller easement section could be
acceptable if approved by the City’s Parks
department in writing.
Engineering -
Legal
There are no class I trails
outside of the right-of-way of
Blackwood Road and 11th
Avenue.
2 BMC 38.400.110 Transportation Pathways – The
proposed “private pedestrian access easement” in
block 21 is not acceptable. This must be a public
access easement.
Engineering -
Legal
The private pedestrian
access easement in Block 21
has been removed. This is a
private common open space
for the use of the courtyard
lots to have an east/west
connection to Avenue A and
Avenue B. This is not a public
access corridor to break up
the block length/width as
Block 21 does not exceed
block length/width
standards.
3 BMC 38.410.060 Easements - The proposed ten foot
pedestrian easements shown on the plat are
presented as “approximate locations”. The
applicant must determine the final locations of the
easements with the preliminary plat.
Engineering -
Legal
3. All ten-foot
pedestrian access easements
are noted as “location to be
finalized with final plat”
which addressed a comment
from the City on the pre-
BLACKWOOD GROVES
Subdivision Preliminary Plat Narrative – RC#1
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application plat. The exact
location of these easements
depends on the site plans for
the applicable blocks which
are currently under
development. These
easements will be provided
as a separate document with
the corresponding final plat
such that they can be altered
slightly (depending on future
site plans) without having to
file an amended plat in the
future should the locations
change slightly.
4 BMC 38.410.080.E: A public drainage easement(s)
must be provided for the stormwater facilitates
supporting drainage from public roadways. The
property owner(s) are responsible for the
maintenance of these facilities.
a. Ponds #2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 must be included
in a public drainage easement.
Engineering -
Legal
All stormwater facilities are
located within Open Space
parcels with drainage and
maintenance easements as
shown on the preliminary
plat or within Park parcels
which will be owned by the
City of Bozeman. Ponds #2, 3,
4, 5, and 7 are all within Park
parcels which will be owned
by the City of Bozeman.
5 BMC 38.410.060 Easements - A minimum easement
width of ten feet is required on each side of
irrigation canals and ditches. All portions of the
irrigation canal and proposed culverts must be
contained within a minimum 20 feet wide ditch
maintenance easement.
Engineering -
Legal
Per an email from the Karl
Johnson (City Engineer) on
3/15/2021, a 10’ wide ditch
maintenance (as shown on
the plat) easement is
acceptable so long as an
appropriate written
maintenance agreement
with the ditch company is
secured. The formal
maintenance agreement will
be executed and filed with
the Phase 1 final plat. A
preliminary agreement letter
from the Middle Creek Ditch
Company is provided in
Appendix X of this
application.
1 BMC 38.210.060.A.12: A traffic impact study (TIS)
will be required for the proposed development
which will need to discuss how much daily traffic
will be generated on existing local and
neighborhood streets, roads, and alleys when the
subdivision is fully developed.
Engineering -
TIS
An addendum to the traffic
impact study is included in
Appendix U of this
application which includes an
analysis of the intersection of
Goldenstein Lane and South
3rd Avenue as well as
BLACKWOOD GROVES
Subdivision Preliminary Plat Narrative – RC#1
April 2021
Page 37 of 48
a. The TIS does not discuss existing or future
traffic impacts associated with the interaction of
Goldenstein Lane and South 3rd Avenue. This
intersection must be analyzed with an updated TIS.
b. The provided TIS only analyzes Phase 1 and
full buildout traffic impacts. However, the applicant
is showing various infrastructure upgrades (i.e.
South 19th Widening, the extension of South 11th,
etc.) with the various proposed phases of the
development. The TIS must clearly discuss the
impacts of the different phases with respect to the
timing of these improvements.
additional analysis of the
individual phases of the
subdivision.
1 BMC 38.410.070. and 38.230.100.A.12: Each phase
of development must connect to the water
distribution system at a minimum of two points to
allow a redundant feed (per City of Bozeman
Engineering DSSP Section V.A. 5).
Engineering –
Water &
Wastewater
Each phase of the
development connects to the
water distribution system at
a minimum of two points.
2 BMC 38.410.070 (A) (1) Municipal water, sanitary
sewer and storm sewer systems: 2015 Wastewater
Facility Plan – The following improvements are
required.
a. (Name: Cattail Creek Basin – S 3rd Ave
(Goldenstein Ln to S 19th St) requires the extension
of 12 inch sanitary sewer main through the project
site.
b. (Name: Cattail Creek Basin – S 19th Ave
(Driftwood Dr to Goldenstein Ln) requires the
extension of 12 inch sanitary sewer main adjacent
to the project site.
c. It appears the applicant is combining these
improvements into a single 18” sanitary sewer main
running south to north along Avenue A. The city is
receptive to this alternative. The applicant must
provide a narrative and an analysis of the future
conditions on this main prior to acceptance of this
alternative.
Engineering –
Water &
Wastewater
The applicant discussed the
sanitary sewer alternatives
with the City of Bozeman and
came to an agreement on the
sewer layout. An additional
8” sewer main stub has been
added along Blackwood to
South 19th to provide for a
potential connection from
the northeast corner of the
adjacent property
(southwest of
Blackwood/19th
intersection).
3 DSSP V.B.12 Access Roads - A 12'-wide all-weather
gravel access road, with turnarounds if needed,
shall be constructed to provide access to all sanitary
sewer manholes not located within a paved public
or private street or parking lot.
a. It appears the termination of the 18 inch
sewer main will be located outside of the 19th
Avenue pavement. The sewer extension must be
relocated to be within 19th Ave pavement and
greater than 2 feet from the curb and gutter.
Engineering –
Water &
Wastewater
The termination of the 18”
sewer main will be located
within the 19th Avenue
pavement.
4 DSSP V.A.5 Main Extensions – All main extensions
must be looped.
a. It appears water mains will extend into
blocks 10, 11, 19, and 21 without looping. This
configuration proves a single point of failure for
Engineering –
Water &
Wastewater
All main extensions will be
looped in accordance with
the City of Bozeman design
standards and specifications.
The applicant will work with
BLACKWOOD GROVES
Subdivision Preliminary Plat Narrative – RC#1
April 2021
Page 38 of 48
multiple lots. This system must be designed to allow
looping.
the City on appropriate
water main configurations
with future site plan
applications.
5 DSSP V.D.5.a Easements – All Public Utility
easements must be a minimum of 30 feet wide for
one or two utility mains.
Engineering –
Water &
Wastewater
All public utility easement
are a minimum of 30 feet
wide.
6 BMC 38.410.070 (A) (1) Municipal water, sanitary
sewer and storm sewer systems: 2016 Water
Facility Plan Recommendation – (CIP Number:
FP_2033) requires the extension of a new 12 inch
water main from the existing 16 inch water main in
Blackwood Road to the southern boundary along
South 11th Avenue alignment of the parcel.
a. The proposed water main extension from
the existing 16 inch water main to the east border
of the parcel along Blackwood Road is not required
to be upsized to 12 inches.
Engineering –
Water &
Wastewater
A 12” water main is now
included in 11th Avenue to
the south property
boundary. The new water
main running in Blackwood
to the east property
boundary is now shown as
8”.
1 BMC 38.600: There are a number of proposed
culverts located throughout the property that are
intended to convey water via the ditch systems and
potentially stormwater. The applicant must provide
hydraulic calculations showing that the culverts
throughout the development have been adequately
sized.
a. The FEMA No Rise Certification report is
not clear on the adequacy of the culvert sizing.
Please indicate specific sections (pages) in this
report related to proposed culvert sizing.
Engineering –
Natural
Resources
The hydraulic calculations for
the proposed culverts will be
provided during the
infrastructure plan review.
Please see page 6 of the No-
Rise Certification report
(Appendix Y) for the
summary of the adequacy of
the culvert sizing. The
proposed culverts do not
affect the 100-year flood
elevations.
1 1. BMC 38.400.010: South 11th and
Blackwood Road must be constructed to a collector
standard according to the City’s Transportation
Master Plan (TMP). The applicant is encouraged to
continue to coordinate with the Engineering
Department on the following items.
a. Blackwood Road will serve as a bicycle
connection to and from Sacajawea Middle School.
Accommodation of through bicyclists needs to be
incorporated into street cross section and overall
plan. The applicant is encouraged to continue
coordination with the Engineering Department.
b. South 11th Avenue and Blackwood Road
should be designed with separated bike/pedestrian
facilities. For South 11th Ave, this matches the
typical section to the north and is in line with a
general trend away from on street bike lanes for
higher volume streets. Likewise, with Blackwood
Road providing direct access to Sacajawea Middle
Engineering
Advisory
Comments - TIS
The applicant has worked
continuously with the City
Engineering Department to
determine appropriate
street cross sections for
Blackwood and 11th. The
agreed-upon street sections
are included in the
preliminary plat and in the
street section exhibits in
Appendix N.
BLACKWOOD GROVES
Subdivision Preliminary Plat Narrative – RC#1
April 2021
Page 39 of 48
School, separated facilities provide a greater level
of comfort for a wider range of users.
c. Blackwood Road will likely require a two-
way left turn lane or center median to
accommodate the addition of left turn lanes. This
issue must be addressed as part of the traffic impact
study requirements.
d. The desire for on street parking on South
11th Ave and Blackwood Road warrants further
discussion with the engineering department.
2 BMC 38.400.010: South 19th Avenue must be
upgraded to a principal arterial standard along the
western edge of the property according to the City’s
Transportation Master Plan (TMP).
Engineering
Advisory
Comments - TIS
This advisory comment is
noted.
3 BMC 38.400.110. and 38.410.120: A trail network
must be constructed through the property as
defined in the City Parks, Recreation, Open Space,
and Trails (PROST) Plan and TMP. The design of all
trails identified in the TMP must be included on the
infrastructure plan submittal for the corresponding
phase. In addition, the applicant is encouraged to
coordinate with the Bozeman public transit service
(Streamline) to incorporate service into the
development.
Engineering
Advisory
Comments - TIS
This advisory comment is
noted.
4 The applicant is advised that access for Street B at
South 19th Avenue will be subject to intersection
spacing requirements and will be reviewed by MDT
with respect to potential access control and spacing
with other intersections along South 19 th Ave
which is an Urban Route on MDT’s system. The
applicant will need to provide the City and MDT
with access approvals for any street connecting to
South 19th.
Engineering
Advisory
Comments - TIS
This advisory comment is
noted.
5 A southbound left turn lane from South 19th
Avenue into the subject property will not be
granted until South 19th Avenue has been widened
to the City’s arterial standard and approved by the
Montana Department of Transportation.
Engineering
Advisory
Comments - TIS
This advisory comment is
noted.
6 The applicant must provide safe intersections with
all phases of the development.
Engineering
Advisory
Comments - TIS
This advisory comment is
noted.
7 BMC 38.330.020: Angled parking will be permitted
for the development, however, the following
requirements must be satisfied.
a. The applicant must file a maintenance
agreement with the County Clerk and Recorder in
addition to the plat note identifying the
maintenance requirements and responsibilities of
the back-in angled parking spaces prior to final plat
approval.
Engineering
Advisory
Comments - TIS
This item is noted – the
applicant will file a
maintenance agreement
prior to final plat approval
and address final design
considerations during
infrastructure plan review
prior to construction.
BLACKWOOD GROVES
Subdivision Preliminary Plat Narrative – RC#1
April 2021
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b. The radii on the transitions to the angled
parking spaces need to be 25’ minimum to allow the
plows to navigate the street edges. Also, vertical
delineators need to be posted on the edges.
c. The applicant’s snow storage plan must
identify areas in the subdivision where the snow will
be hauled and there must be sufficient volume in
the snow storage areas for the volume that would
have otherwise been stored in the boulevards.
1 The applicant must obtain a floodplain permit and
stream permits for piping the ditch prior to
infrastructure approval.
Engineering
Advisory
Comments –
Natural
Resources
This advisory comment is
noted.
2 BMC 38.600: The applicant is advised that a
floodplain permit must be obtained for any work
proposed in the FEMA floodplain. The floodplain
administrator must issue an approved floodplain
permit prior to Master Site Plan approval. The
applicant is advised that the floodplain permit
cannot be issued until all other required stream
permits have been obtained, and if applicable, a
CLOMR is approved by FEMA.
Engineering
Advisory
Comments –
Natural
Resources
This advisory comment is
noted.
1 BMC 38.410.130: Water rights and/or payment of
cash-in-lieu of water right is required prior to
development for the demand on the City’s potable
water system. The applicant must contact Griffin
Nielsen with the City Engineering Department to
obtain a determination of cash-in-lieu of water
rights (CILWR).
Engineering
Advisory
Comments –
Water Rights
Water rights and/or payment
of cash-in-lieu of water rights
will be provided prior to final
plat of all applicable phases.
1 The applicant must provide and file with the
County Clerk and Recorder's office
executed Waivers of Right to Protest Creation of
Special Improvement Districts (SID’s) or special
districts for the following, if not already filed:
a. Street improvements to S. 19th Avenue
including lighting, signalization, paving,
curb/gutter, sidewalk, and storm drainage.
b. Street improvements to S. 11th Avenue
including lighting, signalization, paving,
curb/gutter, sidewalk, and storm drainage.
c. Street improvements to Blackwood Road
including lighting, signalization, paving,
curb/gutter, sidewalk, and storm drainage.
d. Intersection improvements at Blackwood
Road and S. 11th Avenue including lighting,
signalization, paving, curb/gutter, sidewalk, and
storm drainage.
e. Intersection improvements at Blackwood
Road and S. 19th Avenue including lighting,
Engineering –
Recommended
Conditions of
Approval
The applicable Waivers of
Right to Protest Creation of
SIDs will be filed prior to final
plat approval.
BLACKWOOD GROVES
Subdivision Preliminary Plat Narrative – RC#1
April 2021
Page 41 of 48
signalization, paving, curb/gutter, sidewalk, and
storm drainage.
f. Intersection improvements at Blackwood
Road and S. 3rd Avenue including lighting,
signalization, paving, curb/gutter, sidewalk, and
storm drainage.
g. Intersection improvements at Goldenstein
Lane and S. 3rd Avenue including lighting,
signalization, paving, curb/gutter, sidewalk, and
storm drainage.
h. Intersection improvements at Goldenstein
Lane and S. 19th Avenue including lighting,
signalization, paving, curb/gutter, sidewalk, and
storm drainage.
The document filed must specify that in the event
an SID is not utilized for the completion of these
improvements, the developer agrees to participate
in an alternate financing method for the
completion of said improvements on a fair share,
proportionate basis as determined by square
footage of property, taxable valuation of the
property, traffic contribution from the
development, or a combination thereof. The
applicant must provide a copy of the filed SID
waiver prior to master site plan approval or
preliminary plat approval.
2 The final plat must provide all necessary utility
easements and they must be described,
dimensioned and shown on each subdivision block
of the final plat in their true and correct location.
Engineering –
Recommended
Conditions of
Approval
Understood.
3 All dedicated public easements must be recorded
the City’s standard template easement documents
separate from the plat and the recorded document
number must be listed on the final plat.
Engineering –
Recommended
Conditions of
Approval
Public easements with City
standard language are
typically dedicated on the
final plat and not in separate
documents. The applicant
will work with the City
Engineering Department
during the final plat review
process to ensure all
dedicated easements are
satisfactory.
4 The project falls in the “Meadow Creek signal,
water, and sewer Payback” area. The applicant
must pay all of the payback fees prior to final plat
approval.
Engineering –
Recommended
Conditions of
Approval
Understood.
5 The applicant must contact the Gallatin County
Conservation District, Montana Department of
Environmental Quality, and U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers regarding the proposed project and any
Engineering –
Recommended
Conditions of
Approval
Understood.
BLACKWOOD GROVES
Subdivision Preliminary Plat Narrative – RC#1
April 2021
Page 42 of 48
required permits (i.e., 310, 404, Turbidity
exemption, etc.) must be obtained by the applicant.
6 The subject property is located in an area with high
groundwater with potentially corrosive soils, which
can increase the likelihood of water main failure
over the lifespan of the asset. The applicant must
perform a corrosivity analysis to determine if
cathodic protection is required for the proposed
distribution mains.
Engineering –
Recommended
Conditions of
Approval
Understood.
7 Privately maintained storm drainage infrastructure,
including drainage canal piping as well as
easements required for the infrastructure, must not
encroach on public street right of way.
Engineering –
Recommended
Conditions of
Approval
Understood, however there
will be sections of irrigation
infrastructure that will need
to cross public right-of-way
and will therefore encroach
within the right-of-way for
these crossings. The
applicant would like this
condition to be updated to
acknowledge these
crossings.
8 A road connection to South 19th Avenue must occur
with the first phase of the development.
Engineering –
Recommended
Conditions of
Approval
Understood.
9 Subdivision lighting special improvement lighting
district (SILD) information shall be submitted to the
City and the district formed after preliminary plat
approval in hard copy and digital form. Any final
plat application will not be deemed complete until
the resolution to create the SILD has been
approved by the City Commission. The initial
adoption of the special improvement lighting
district shall include the entire area of the
preliminary plat. The approval to create or annex
to an existing SILD shall be granted prior to final
plat for a subdivision.
Engineering –
Recommended
Conditions of
Approval
Understood.
1 The responsibility of maintenance for the
stormwater facilities, stormwater open space lots,
pedestrian open space lots and street frontage
landscaping for the perimeter streets must be that
of the property owners’ association. Maintenance
responsibility must include, all vegetative ground
cover, boulevard trees and irrigation systems in the
public right-of-way boulevard strips along all
external perimeter development streets. The
property owners’ association must be responsible
for levying annual assessments to provide for the
maintenance, repair, and upkeep of all perimeter
Engineering –
Recommended
Conditions of
Approval Sheet
Understood.
BLACKWOOD GROVES
Subdivision Preliminary Plat Narrative – RC#1
April 2021
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street frontage landscaping and stormwater
facilities and all open space landscaping.
2 All stormwater facilities not on property dedicated
to the City of Bozeman require public utility
easements for storm water facility maintenance.
Engineering –
Recommended
Conditions of
Approval Sheet
Understood.
3 A 1 foot no access strip shall be placed along all lots
fronting on South 19th Street.
Engineering –
Recommended
Conditions of
Approval Sheet
Understood.
4 A 1 foot no access strip shall be placed along all
lots fronting on South 11th Street.
Engineering –
Recommended
Conditions of
Approval Sheet
Understood.
5 A 1 foot no access strip shall be placed along all lots
fronting on Blackwood Road.
Engineering –
Recommended
Conditions of
Approval Sheet
Understood.
6 No crawl spaces or basements may be constructed.
Sump pumps are not allowed to be connected to
the sanitary sewer system. Sump pumps are also
not allowed to be connected to the drainage system
unless capacity is designed into the drainage system
to accept the pumped water. Water from sump
pumps may not be discharged onto streets, such as
into the curb and gutters where they may create a
safety hazard for pedestrians and vehicles. This
note must appear on the final plat.
Engineering –
Recommended
Conditions of
Approval Sheet
Note #2 in the general notes
contains this language with
one change. The note
requires consultation with a
professional engineer to
determine if a crawl space
can be constructed on a site-
specific basis. There are
some areas within the
property where the roads
will be above existing grade
with lower seasonal high-
groundwater levels that may
allow for crawl spaces to be
built. The applicant requests
that this condition be
updated to reflect this.
7 All downstream water user facilities will not be
impacted by this Subdivision.
Engineering –
Recommended
Conditions of
Approval Sheet
Understood.
8 All lots are subject to a 10-foot wide front yard
utility easement.
Engineering –
Recommended
Conditions of
Approval Sheet
The applicant requests that
this condition be updated to
read that “all lots are subject
to a 10-foot wide front yard
utility easement with the
exception of all lots with
storefront block frontage
designations.” The
requirements for the City’s
storefront block frontage
BLACKWOOD GROVES
Subdivision Preliminary Plat Narrative – RC#1
April 2021
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designation do not allow for
a 10-ft utility easement
outside of the right-of-way.
9 All Open Space and Public Access areas to be owned
and maintained by the property owners association
(Blackwood Groves Homeowners).
Engineering –
Recommended
Conditions of
Approval Sheet
Understood.
10 All open Space Lots X & X of Block X are subject to a
public utility easement for stormwater facility
maintenance.
Engineering –
Recommended
Conditions of
Approval Sheet
Understood.
11 Lot access must be constructed to the standard set
forth by the City of Bozeman Design Standards and
Specifications Policy, and the City of Bozeman
Modifications to the State Public Works Standard
Specifications per Bozeman Municipal Code
requirements.
Engineering –
Recommended
Conditions of
Approval Sheet
Understood.
12 A median is the portion of the roadway separating
opposing directions of the roadway, or local lanes
from through travel lanes. All medians are to be
maintained by the property owners association
(Blackwood Groves Homeowners).
Engineering –
Recommended
Conditions of
Approval Sheet
Understood.
13 The back-in angled parking is to be maintained by
the property owners association (Blackwood
Groves Homeowners) which includes snow
removal, pavement maintenance, and all other
maintenance functions of the back-in angled
parking spaces.
Engineering –
Recommended
Conditions of
Approval Sheet
Understood.
BLACKWOOD GROVES
Subdivision Preliminary Plat Narrative – RC#1
April 2021
Page 45 of 48
V. Response to Applicable Subdivision Review Criteria (BMC Sec. 38.240.130)
1) Compliance with the survey requirements of Part 4 of the Montana Subdivision and
Platting Act.
The Preliminary Plat demonstrates compliance with the survey requirements of Part 4 of the
Montana Subdivision and Platting Act and has been prepared by a Professional Engineer
registered in the State of Montana. The subsequent Final Plat will comply with State statute,
Administrative Rules of Montana, and the Bozeman Municipal Code.
2) Compliance with the local subdivision regulations provided for in Part 5 of the Montana
Subdivision and Platting Act.
This application is in compliance with the local subdivision regulations provided for in Part 5
of the Montana Subdivision and Platting Act. The final plat shall comply with the standards
identified and referenced in the Bozeman Municipal Code (BMC).
3) Compliance with the local subdivision review procedures provided for in Part 6 of the
Montana Subdivision and Platting Act.
This Preliminary Plat is undergoing review according to the procedures provided for in UDC
Section 38.240.130 and Part 6 of the Montana Subdivision and Platting Act.
4) Compliance with Chapter 38, BMC and other relevant regulations.
The application is in compliance with Chapter 38, BMC and all other relevant regulations, or,
as stipulated in any unmet code provisions, will be in substantial compliance prior to
Preliminary Plat approval.
5) The provision of easements to and within the subdivision for the location and installation
of any necessary utilities.
All necessary utility easements have been provided for, both to and within the subdivision, as
shown on the Preliminary Plat.
6) The provision of legal and physical access to each parcel within the subdivision and the
notation of that access on the applicable plat and any instrument transferring the parcel.
All subdivision parcels have been provided with legal and physical, as shown on the
Preliminary Plat, which includes the relevant instrument numbers as required.
BLACKWOOD GROVES
Subdivision Preliminary Plat Narrative – RC#1
April 2021
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Primary Subdivision Review Criteria, Section 76-3-608
1) The effect on agriculture.
The subject property is designated as Residential Mixed according to the City of Bozeman
Community Plan. The area is zoned Residential-Emphasis Mixed Use and has been annexed
but is vacant. The buildable portion of the proposed subdivision is primarily residential with
some community commercial uses. The property has been producing alfalfa and will continue
to farm alfalfa as Blackwood Groves is developed in phases. The subdivision will not have
adverse effects on surrounding agricultural operations.
2) The effect on Agricultural water user facilities.
All agricultural water uses facilities on and adjacent to this project will be protected. The
applicant has worked with the Middle Creek Ditch Company to ensure that all agricultural
water uses facilities will be protected and that access for maintenance is adequately
provided.
3) The effect on Local services.
Water/Sewer – Municipal water and sewer mains exist within the development and in the
adjacent street rights of way of to serve the development. The subdivider proposes to extend
water and sewer mains throughout the development and to the individual lots within the
subdivision. These internal water and sewer mains will be installed or guaranteed prior to
final plat approval.
Streets – The Growth Policy and subdivision standards require adequate connectivity of the
street grid to ensure sufficient infrastructure to serve the needs of the public and alleviate
congestion. The preliminary plat layout utilizes South 19th Avenue (arterial), Blackwood Road
(future collector), and South 11th Avenue (collector) to provide primary site connectivity.
Other internal local streets provide access to all lots. The project is well connected and meets
block length requirements with the proposed streets and pedestrian midblock crossings.
Police/Fire – The area of the subdivision is within the service area of both these departments.
No concerns on service availability have been identified. The necessary addresses will be
provided to enable 911 response to individual homes prior to recording of the final plat.
Stormwater - The subdivision will construct storm water control facilities to conform to
municipal code. Inspection of installed facilities prior to final plat will verify that standards
have been met. Maintenance of the storm water facilities is an obligation of the property
owners’ association. This responsibility is addressed on the plat proposed with the
subdivision.
BLACKWOOD GROVES
Subdivision Preliminary Plat Narrative – RC#1
April 2021
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Parklands - The proposal meets the required park dedication and improvement standards as
described in Appendix E.
4) The effect on the Natural environment.
The subdivision will not have a significant effect on the Natural environment. Blackwood
Groves was designed with a focus on preserving the natural elements that exist within the
property. Natural watercourse corridors are being maintained with 50-ft wetland setbacks
provided on both sides to create a minimum 100-ft corridor along the site’s natural
watercourses. The existing tree grove is being preserved and incorporated into Park 3.
Importantly, there is an existing wetland that runs near the eastern border of the site. While
11th Avenue was originally designed to cut through the widest area of the wetland (per the
City’s long range Transportation Plan), we worked closely with City staff to shift 11th
westward to limit any impacts on this important natural element. Wetlands and watercourses
run throughout the eastern portion of the property as shown in the wetlands report
(Appendix O). All required wetland permits will be secured prior to any disturbance of
wetlands on site.
The watercourse setback for the watercourse is located within the proposed parks corridor,
and this area is to be protected as part of the overall development of the parks. The project
proposes to use native and drought-tolerant plants where practical (and allowed under City
standards). Watercourse plantings along the site’s natural watercourses will also be provided.
Parks and open spaces will be irrigated with exempt irrigation wells using efficient watering
techniques and technologies to promote water conservation. See Appendix E – Parks Master
Plan for additional information on the proposed plantings and irrigation plan.
5) The effect on wildlife and wildlife habitat
The subdivision will not significantly impact wildlife and wildlife habitat at this property. The
Parks Master Plan (Appendix E) has demonstrated a dedication to preservation and
enhancement of Blackwood Groves’ riparian corridors. There are no known endangered or
threatened species on the property.
6) The effect on Public Health and Safety
The proposed subdivision will not have a negative effect on public health and safety. All
infrastructure will meet or exceed City standards and will protect public health and safety.
The improvements to watercourses will not impact the current floodplains on the project site
nor will they increase flood risk on the property or surrounding properties. The No-Rise
analysis and floodway encroachment analysis will be provided for the Blackwood Road and
BLACKWOOD GROVES
Subdivision Preliminary Plat Narrative – RC#1
April 2021
Page 48 of 48
Cambridge Drive to ensure protection of life and property from flood impacts.
The project will be further reviewed through future Final Plats and Site Plans to ensure the
intent of the regulations in Chapter 38 of the Bozeman Municipal Code is met. Chapter 38
includes the protection of public health, safety, and general welfare as a foundational tenet;
therefore, the subdivision continues to be reviewed with this expectation in mind. DRC review
has shown that this submittal is in general compliance with the Chapter 38, and conditions of
approval are expected in response to this submittal where additional information is required
to ensure approval. All subdivisions must be reviewed against the criteria listed in 76-3-
608.3.b-d, Mont Code Annotated, and this narrative demonstrates compliance with the
requirements as shown herein.