Commission to vote Tuesday on subdivision, unpaved road speed limit

The two matters that went up for their public hearings before the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commission on Tuesday, May 27 will be decided at the Commission's business meeting Tuesday, June 3 at 6 p.m. at the courthouse courtroom. 

Ordinance No. 281, an ordinance establishing a 35 mph speed limit on the county's unpaved roads, will be voted on by the Commission on June 3, as will the preliminary plat of the Moonbase Woods Major Subdivision, both of which had their public hearings on Tuesday.

The 35 mph speed limit proposal for the county's unpaved roadways outside of the Anaconda Urban Area, unless otherwise posted, includes the following geographic areas: Anaconda Residential Estate Districts 10 and 2.5; Aspen Hills/Clear Creek Planning Area; Big Hole Planning Area; Covenant Controlled Development District; East Valley Planning Area; Georgetown Lake Planning Area; Lost Creek Planning Area; Opportunity Planning Area; Opportunity Triangle/Mill Creek Industrial; Spring Hill Planning Area; and the West Valley Planning Area. 

If approved, violations of that speed limit would be punishable by a fine of up to $100.

The public hearing for the speed limit ordinance saw two members of the public offer comment, with one rural resident in favor citing issues of speed, dust and overall safety on such roads, while another, Pat Connors, indicated the speed limit should be even lower than what the ordinance proposes. 

"If 25 miles per hour is good for people in town, it should be good for people on dirt roads," he said.

Also pertaining to one of the rural areas mentioned in the speed limit ordinance is the Moonbase Woods subdivision, which proposes 26 new lots in the Herring Flats area of the Spring Hill Development District.

That proposal has received extensive public comment, nearly all in opposition, first at its public hearing before the Planning Board in March where the board voted 5-3 against recommending it to the Commission. The Planning Department, however, has recommended approval with conditions. Then on Tuesday more comment was offered before the Commission itself. 

Opponents have raised issues on the subdivision's potential impact to the quality of life of residents in the area, while the developers have stated they have worked to address those concerns. 

When the Anaconda Leader reported on the hearing in the Wednesday, May 28 edition, it was not yet known whether the matter would be voted on at the June 3 meeting, but it has since been confirmed that it is on the agenda.

Here are the items up for voting on that agenda under unfinished business: 

• Ordinance No. 281 establishing a 35 mph speed limit on unpaved county roads; 

• Preliminary plat approval of the Moonbase Woods SUB; 

• Task Order Amendment No. 1 – task order for immunization services; 

• Special Event – Caslen Living Centers Walk-A-Thon at Kennedy Common on June 20, 2025; 

• Special Event – Flea Market at Benny Goodman Park and Pavilion on July 12, 2025; 

• Special Event – Parklette at the Bighorn Bottle Shop, June through September 2025; 

Also on the agenda under new business are the following: 

• Review and award of bid, Winter Tourism Grant/Steering Committee for Wintertime Ice Rink Services; 

• Memorandum of Understanding Third Addendum and Extension Agreement; 

• Country Club Road overlay, request to advertise for bids; 

• Resolution No. 25-11, a resolution opposing federal proposals to slash health coverage, shift costs and burden state budgets. 

And up for a public hearing is an amendment to Ordinance No. 277 to allow the Domestic Animal Task Force more time to complete their task. 

For Commission agendas and packets, go to https://www.adlc.us/agendacenter.