Hearing tonight on 800-acre land plan

The Daily Inter Lake

The Flathead County Planning Board will hold public hearings on six items tonight, including the fifth growth-policy amendment proposed in the Bigfork area in the last 18 months.

The Quarter Horse LA Ranch Neighborhood Plan would change the allowable land uses on 800 acres south of Montana 209.

The property is owned by the Averill family, who also owns Flathead Lake Lodge.

If approved, the plan would set the stage for a 319-unit residential development on the site. The housing units - including single-family homes, rustic cabins and efficiency apartments - would be divided among about two dozen residential clusters.

The project also would feature a new lodge, equestrian center and onsite fire station, security and first-aid services.

A separate planned unit development application still has to be approved before the residential project could proceed.

Public hearings also will be held tonight on:

-The preliminary plat of McCaffery Woods, a seven-lot single-family residential subdivision on 33 acres at 594 McCaffery Road near Bigfork.

-A zone change from AG-80 to AG-20 agricultural for 40 acres at