Marina project up for a hearing
Griz fans, including from left to right, Tammy Gipe, Jill Welch, Walter Gipe, Jeff McAtee and Larry Vaughn, cheer from the bar at Fatt Boys after a Griz first down during the first half of Montana's championship game against James Madison Friday in Chattanooga. Chris Jordan/Daily Inter Lake
The Daily Inter Lake
What could be the final public hurdle for a proposed marina in Lakeside takes places Monday morning in the Flathead County commissioners' office.
The commissioners will hold a public hearing on Montana Eagle Development's request for a major lakeshore variance.
The variance would allow the company to renovate and expand an existing marina on the north end of Lakeside across from Bierney Creek Road.
The issue has gone through several hearings over the last eight months. A lawsuit also was filed seeking to overturn a related planned unit development agreement that was approved earlier this year.
Last month, the Flathead County Planning Board reached a tie vote on the proposed variance, meaning it's coming to the commissioners without a positive recommendation.
Several board members felt the project, which would need variances to almost two dozen lakeshore regulations, was excessive and that it failed to provide sufficient public benefit to justify approval. Others said this was the only way to "reward" the developer for renovating the dilapidated facility.
Monday's public hearing takes place at 10 a.m. The commissioners are expected to take action on the variance request immediately after the hearing.