Helena Flats subdivision approved

The Daily Inter Lake

The third time was a charm for the Lybeck family on Wednesday, as the Flathead County commissioners approved a major subdivision along Helena Flats Road on a 2-1 vote.

Pressentine Ranch calls for 82 single-family home lots on 165 acres just east of the Helena Flats/Birch Grove road intersection. The project features more than three miles of horse and pedestrian paths, a 150-foot buffer around the perimeter and a 100-year prohibition on splitting lots.

A public water system and Level II, multi-user septic system also also been proposed. These still need to be approved by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.

The property has been farmed for decades by the Lybeck family. Pressentine Ranch is the third subdivision proposed for the site in the last two years. The earlier projects would have created 219 lots and 54 lots, respectively. Both were denied by the commissioners, largely because of density concerns.

Commissioner Joe Brenneman said Pressentine Ranch was the most beautiful subdivision he has seen in the valley. However, he had traffic safety concerns related to the railroad crossing at the intersection of Birch Grove and U.S. 2, as well as concerns about the groundwater.

"I can't support it," he said. "It's in the wrong location."

Commissioner Gary Hall said he felt the concerns about low water and water quality had been adequately addressed by the developer and by the conditions imposed on the subdivision. He also was swayed by the Flathead County Planning Board's unanimous vote in favor of the proposal.

Commissioner Bob Watne joined Hall in voting to approve the preliminary plat. Brenneman voted in opposition.