Sewer foes urge county to deny change
More than two dozen letters of opposition have come in on a proposed zoning text amendment related to sewage-treatment plants.
More than two dozen letters of opposition have come in on a proposed zoning text amendment related to sewage-treatment plants.
The amendment makes sewage-treatment plants a conditional use in the P-1 public-zoning district.
The proposal was specifically written to accommodate the Evergreen sewer district, which wants to build a sewage-treatment plant on 20 acres of county property along FFA Drive, near the vo-ag school and Stillwater Christian School.
Last month, the Flathead County commissioners approved a resolution of intent for the amendment on a 2-1 vote. They're scheduled to take final action at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Most of the comments addressed the treatment plant rather than the zoning regulations.
Technically, the two are unrelated: Evergreen can pursue its plans for the treatment plant with or without this amendment. The zoning is just one of several issues that the sewer district would have to address at some point before the plant is built.
Nevertheless, changing the zoning text now would remove one slight hurdle for the project. That seemed to be reason enough for people to oppose it.
"I seriously question whether locating a sewage facility in such close proximity to two schools reflects due diligence to the greater good," Markus Braaten wrote in one letter. "It is truly inconceivable that this could be the best location, that you would ask us to send our children to a school located [adjacent] to a sewer plant."
A total of 25 letters or e-mail comments, including 13 form letters, opposed the amendment. Only two letters in support were received.
"I believe the proposed site is right on the button," Steve Sklany wrote. "It looks like it would take care of a goodly portion of the east side of Kalispell."
The commissioners haven't officially given the property to the Evergreen district, though they've indicated they intend to do so.
In October, they voted 2-1 to bring forward a resolution granting the sewer district a 10-year option for 20 acres. During that time the district would have to get the necessary regulatory approval and secure financing for the treatment plant.
That resolution is expected to be formally approved as soon as the boundaries of the 20 acres can be agreed upon.
Proponents of the plant say the FFA Drive site offers several advantages, including proximity to the Stillwater River, which would allow effluent to be diluted more efficiently.
Given that the property is close to Evergreen's existing sewer lines, they say it would also be much cheaper to connect to a plant there.
Proponents also suggested that this would be a regional plant, capable of serving a much broader area than just Evergreen.
Most opponents, though, are concerned that a sewage-treatment plant at this location would be detrimental to the high school's vo-ag program, which currently uses the property for agricultural activities.
"I was a city girl," wrote Jessica David. "My parents didn't have a lot of land. I never thought I'd have a chance to raise animals for the fair or drive a tractor.
"When I got to high school, this opportunity was presented to me. I learned to appreciate and love working on a farm. I believe you are taking an amazing opportunity away from students at Flathead High School."
Reporter Bill Spence may be reached at 758-4459 or by e-mail at bspence@dailyinterlake.com