Comments split on Helena Flats plan

The Daily Inter Lake

The Flathead County commissioners received a small handful of letters about a proposed neighborhood plan in the Helena Flats area.

The plan covers 4,800 acres north of Rose Crossing and Addison Square and east of U.S. 2.

If approved, it would establish guidelines for growth in the area, which has seen significant development pressure during the last few years.

Nine letters regarding the proposal were submitted during a 30-day comment period, which ended last week. Five were opposed to the plan, four were in favor.

Opponents, including the largest property owner in the plan jurisdiction, suggested that the five-acre residential density recommended for most of the plan area would be difficult to maintain and would turn into weed lots.

Some also felt the plan would prevent property owners from managing their land in a way that best suited their financial needs.

"I thought the plan was a great idea in the beginning, but I believe it ties our hands too much in some areas. I'm afraid it's too restrictive," wrote Kari Mackin in one letter.

The plan establishes five use categories for the neighborhood, which are residential, rural residential, institutional (public facilities), general commercial and extractive commercial.

The extractive commercial area would be limited to the existing gravel pits along U.S. 2. Most general commercial uses also would be directed to the highway frontage.

Residential uses, with a recommended density of one home per acre, would be encouraged near the southern boundary of the plan jurisdiction, on both sides of Helena Flats Road.

The bulk of the jurisdiction would be recommended for rural residential development, with a density of one home per five acres.

Proponents suggested that the neighborhood plan balanced the interests of existing residents with those of developers and landowners who want to change the area.

"Much as we may like [the Helena Flats neighborhood], it's obvious that it isn't going to be left 'as is,'" said Shirley Anderson, one of the plan backers. "Intelligent planning - with consideration for existing infrastructure, natural resources, county regulations and owner opinions - is essential."

The county commissioners are scheduled to take final action on the Helena Flats Neighborhood Plan at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 13.