City Adopts Changes to Subdivision Regulations
 | Author:
Linda Kent, MT43 News Staff Reporter
MT43 News Correspondent |
Linda Kent
MT43 News Staff Reporter
Townsend’s City Council adopted several amendments to the city’s subdivision regulations following a public hearing on May 21. Most of the changes to the regulations, most recently updated in 2022, were made to reflect changes in state law signed during the 2023 legislative session.
The most significant change is the expansion to the categories of minor subdivisions within the regulations. The new regulations also add details to the process and guidelines for transferring parcels of land from one family member to another.
A minor subdivision is any subdivision that creates five or fewer lots within a given tract of land. That subdivision can either be the first minor subdivision, which would be the first division of a tract or an administrative minor subdivision. The latter is a subsequent division of land that has existing water and sewer service lines as well as legal and physical access.
Administrative minor subdivisions are eligible for a streamlined review process, outlined in the new regulations. They will not require the submission of impact studies or environmental reviews.
The family transfer process allows an individual to transfer one parcel of land to an immediate family member. Such transfers are not subject to subdivision review. Recipients of family transfer parcels may not sell those parcels for at least two years after the transfer has been completed.
Council members approved the updated regulations unanimously.
