Conservation and Development: Tonight's Park County Planning Board Meeting Explained

April 17, 2025

Tonight at 5:00 PM, the Park County Planning Board will review several significant land use proposals that could shape our region's future. As your neighbors at Montana Legacy Insurance, we believe in keeping our community informed about decisions that affect our shared landscape and economy.

Who's Involved in Tonight's Meeting

Tonight's Planning Board meeting will bring together several key stakeholders:

Park County Planning Board members who will evaluate proposals and make recommendations
Wm. Michael Inman, Park County Planning Director/Subdivision Administrator, who has prepared the Subdivision Administrator Report
Northern Yellowstone Open Lands/Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT) represented by:
- Cole Herdman, Program Manager (presenting the Mill Creek conservation easement)
- Kelsie Huyser, Project Manager (presenting the Trail Creek conservation easement)
Warfield Ranch INC., owners of the Mill Creek area property seeking conservation protection
Robert and Valerie Anderson, owners of the L/A Ranch property seeking conservation protection
Grasshopper I LLC, developers of the proposed subdivision near Highway 89 and Mill Creek Road
Rural One Fire District and Park County Sheriff's Department, who have provided input on emergency services
Montana Department of Environmental Quality, which will review water and sanitation plans
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP), which has provided wildlife impact assessments
Members of the public, who can offer comment in person or via Zoom

Conservation Easements: Preserving Paradise Valley

Two major conservation easement proposals are up for review, both facilitated by the Gallatin Valley Land Trust through their Northern Yellowstone Open Lands initiative:

The Warfield Ranch (1,569 acres) in the Mill Creek drainage of Paradise Valley is a working cattle ranch that supports a cow-calf operation and includes certified family forest land. It's bounded by Mill Creek to the northeast and National Forest to the south.

The L/A Ranch (884 acres) located southwest of Livingston on Trail Creek Road is a multi-generational family ranch owned by Robert and Valerie Anderson. The property includes 1.5 miles of Trail Creek and provides habitat for elk, sandhill cranes, bears, and pronghorn.

Previous Discussions and Context

These conservation easements continue a long tradition in Park County. GVLT has been partnering with landowners in Park County for 30 years and currently holds 19 conservation easements throughout the county. The Planning Board has consistently supported such easements as they align with the county's Growth Policy.

The Board will be considering how these proposals specifically support Goal 16 of the Park County Growth Policy: "Take an active role in the land use and development process," with particular attention to preserving agricultural lands and supporting continued agricultural operations.

These easements join a growing network of protected lands in the region, as shown in the location maps provided by GVLT. The conservation easement landscape in Park County has been expanding strategically to create wildlife corridors and preserve large intact agricultural operations.

What is a Conservation Easement?

Conservation easements are voluntary agreements that limit development while keeping land in private ownership. In these cases, both ranches would:

Restrict development to designated areas
Prohibit subdivision of the properties
Maintain agricultural operations
Preserve wildlife habitat and open spaces

The Planning Board's role is purely advisory, as specified in Montana Code Annotated 76-6-206, which requires conservation easements to be presented to local planning authorities for review and comment.

Grasshopper 1 First Minor Subdivision

The third major agenda item is the Grasshopper 1 First Minor Subdivision proposal from Grasshopper I LLC, which would:

Divide a 14-acre tract near Highway 89 and Mill Creek Road into two residential parcels
Lift an existing agricultural restriction
Implement covenants addressing wildlife concerns, fire safety, weed management, and more

Previous Application History

This proposal has undergone extensive review already. According to the Subdivision Administrator Report, the application was:

Initially submitted on August 19, 2024
Deemed to contain required elements on September 12, 2024
Deemed insufficient twice (October 1, 2024 and January 13, 2025)
Finally deemed sufficient on March 6, 2025

The lengthy review process demonstrates the careful consideration given to development proposals in the county. The applicants have worked with county officials to address concerns about:

Agricultural impacts
Wildlife habitat
Water quality
Fire protection
Road access and maintenance

The Planning Department has recommended approval with specific conditions to address these issues.

Why This Matters to Livingston

These decisions directly impact Livingston's character and future. The conservation easements help maintain the scenic approaches to our town and preserve the working landscapes that define our region's identity. They protect the wildlife habitat that makes our area special for both residents and visitors.

The subdivision proposal, while small in scale, demonstrates how we're navigating growth in our rural areas. Located near existing development, this project shows how we can potentially accommodate new housing while minimizing impacts on agriculture and wildlife.

All three proposals must align with Park County's Growth Policy, particularly Goal 16: "Take an active role in the land use and development process." The proposals reflect our community's ongoing effort to balance growth with conservation.

Meeting Details:

When: Thursday, April 17, 2025, 5:00 PM
Where: Community Room, City/County Courthouse
Virtual Option: Available via Zoom (Meeting ID: 894-3790-6597)

We encourage community members to attend and make their voices heard. For more information, visit the Park County website at www.parkcounty.org.

Montana Legacy Insurance is committed to protecting what matters most to our community. While we're not affiliated with the Planning Board or these specific projects, we believe in keeping our neighbors informed about important local developments.