Bigfork zone changes move forward

The Daily Inter Lake

The Flathead County commissioners unanimously approved resolutions of intent on Thursday regarding two proposed zone changes in the Bigfork area.

Both changes were proposed by developer Reto Barrington, who wants to build two subdivisions on 63 acres along Chapman Hill Road immediately north of Holt Drive.

He wants R-2 zoning, which allows half-acre lots, compared to the 5- and 10-acre SAG-5 and SAG-10 zoning that's currently in place.

The Flathead County Planning Board unanimously recommended approval of the requests during its last meeting in December. No one spoke in opposition at that meeting. One couple spoke in opposition on Thursday, when the commissioners held their own public hearing regarding the proposals.

B.J. Grieve with the Flathead County Planning Office noted that Barrington's property is sandwiched between two higher-density residential areas and that it's already served by public water and sewer services.

"This is a classic example of infill development," he said.

Following the hearing, the commissioners unanimously approved two resolutions of intent to adopt the zone changes.

That kicks off a 30-day protest period during which residents of the Bigfork Zoning District can formally object to the change. If 40 percent of the property owners or 50 percent of the agricultural or timberland owners within the district protest, then the commissioners cannot adopt the measure.