HomeMy WebLinkAbout1 IntroductionThe Lakes at Valley West Subdivision – Phases 1 and 2
Preliminary Plat Application
Introduction
Since its original approval in 2002, the overall design of the award-winning Valley West Planned
Unit Development (PUD) has continued to mature and adjust to ongoing parks and wetlands
design, changing land use regulations and policies and developing adjoining properties as well as
overall market conditions. Note that several significant land use changes have recently occurred
– most notably, a school and church have been constructed on the property west of Ferguson
Avenue in place of what was originally contemplated as a residential neighborhood.
This application includes a subdivision Preliminary Plat for Phases 1 (25 lots) and 2 (37 lots).
The master plan (see PUD below) shows likely development patterns for approximately 300
dwelling units on the entire 65 acres for reference only. The property owners require flexibility
as future phases are submitted to adjust to continuing changes to the Bozeman market.
A Preliminary PUD Modification application has also been submitted in parallel to the
Preliminary Plat. The PUD proposes to begin to complete this quality neighborhood by creating
progressive residential pocket neighborhoods that are all connected by open spaces, trails, streets
and enhanced alleys inspired by the European planning concept of a woonerf. Woonerfs are
described in the Unified Development Code as: “streets where pedestrians and cyclists have
priority over motorists… Woonerfs may be permitted on public local streets or alleys through
the… PUD process” (38.09.030).
There are several important known factors that influence and dimensionally challenge the overall
site and design including the existing lakes, Baxter Creek Natural Area to the east, the location of
Laurel Parkway, the north and south connections for Westgate Avenue, required access
separation on Durston Road, the watercourse setback on Baxter Creek and a section of the
watercourse setback along Aajker Creek (note that both creeks run through adjacent properties
and only a portion of the setback affects the subject site).
Document Organization
This submittal has been prepared to address all requirements as noted in 38.41.040, BMC. The
included content has been organized in a logical way to help ease navigation, and “generally”
follows the order of the requirements in the Development Review Application (DRA) and
Preliminary Plat Checklist. The PUD, as mentioned above, parallels this submittal and both
The Lakes at Valley West Subdivision – Phases 1 and 2
Preliminary Plat Application
these submittals are designed to provide guidance and baseline information for all subsequent
“Lakes” submittals. Future subdivision submittals can therefore be simplified by reducing the
amount of duplicate material. This will also help to reduce the substantial amount of paper that a
subdivision submittal generates.