Zone changes pass planning board

The Daily Inter Lake

The Flathead County Planning Board on Wednesday unanimously recommended approval of two zone changes in the Bigfork area.

No one spoke in opposition to the related Mill Creek and Harbor Springs zone changes, which together would convert about 66 acres from 5- and 10-acre agricultural zones to the R-2 limited residential zone, which allows half-acre lots.

The property is located along both sides of Chapman Hill Road just north of Holt Drive and has access to public sewer and water services.

Given that the area occupies a narrow strip of agricultural land between two large residential areas, and that it has access to public sewer and water services, B.J. Grieve with the Flathead County Planning Office said "it's incredibly obvious that this is a logical place for residential development."

Other items approved during Wednesday's meeting include:

. A zone change from B-3 to B-2 general business for 4.4 acres at 7975 Montana 35 in Bigfork just south of Icebox Canyon.

. A zone change from 5-, 10- and 40-acre agricultural zones to R-2 residential for 215 acres along U.S. 93 North, between Church Drive and Schrade Road and immediately across from Majestic Valley Arena.

. A zone change from R-2 to R-5 two-family limited residential for property located at 312 Solberg Drive in Evergreen.

. Following the regular meeting, Jeff Larsen recommended changing the board's rules for public hearings.

Currently, the board accepts comments in favor of a proposal followed by comments opposed to the proposal.

Larsen said this often creates an unnecessarily adversarial relationship between people. Consequently, he recommended doing away with proponents and opponents and just accepting public comment from anyone who has concerns or something to say on a given proposal.

"I think we need kinder, gentler planning board meetings," he said.

Larsen's motion was unanimously approved.