The Yellowstone County Commission in Montana unanimously voted against a zone change request from residential tracts to residential manufactured homes (MH) on some 30 acres of vacant land outside Laurel, just south of Billings, but within the city’s zoning jurisdiction following neighborhood complaints against the proposal. Remonstrators allege the development would damage property values, and increase crime and traffic in the area, according to billingsgazette.

Commissioner Jim Reno, noting safety concerns about children who walk on the road that has no sidewalks, also said the property would need to be annexed by the city to provide water and sewer services. Two other commissioners questioned the effect of the development on an already crowded school system.

On April 7 the Laurel City County Planning Board had approved the zoning change, but did state the need to submit an application for annexation and subdivision application if the zone change is ever approved.

Scott Aspenlieder, representing developer Rob Morehead of Billings, said the proposal would provide cost effective and more affordable housing to the community, and that a complete traffic study and subdivision planning would be done. Morehead added the developers want to improve the community and would actively manage the community.

Attempting to respond to community concerns, the developers would buffer homes from the MHC with a dense 100-foot wide berm planted with trees, as MHProNews has learned.

There was no immediate indication as to whether or not the developers would continue to pursue the proposal. ##

(Photo credit: fotosearch)

Article submitted by Matthew J. Silver to Daily Business News-MHProNews.