Helena Flats neighborhood plan approved

The Daily Inter Lake

By a 2-1 vote Tuesday, the Flathead County commissioners gave final approval to a 4,800-acre neighborhood plan for the Helena Flats area.

Commissioner Bob Watne said he couldn't support the proposal, which offers guidelines and recommendations on where certain types of development should take place.

"I think this will lead to zoning and more problems," Watne said. "That's what's happened with other neighborhood plans."

Planning Director Jeff Harris said the neighborhood plan itself doesn't zone any areas, nor does it regulate any land uses.

However, "it would be reasonable to assume that the next step is to go through the zoning process," he said. "The way the plan would be implemented is through the zoning and subdivision [approval] process."

The neighborhood plan covers the area between U.S. 2 and the Flathead River, from Rose Crossing north to Pioneer Road.

Commissioner Joe Brenneman noted that the plan "isn't zoning, isn't regulatory, and provides a framework for neighbors to consider how to address future land-use changes in this area."

Commissioner Gary Hall said the commissioners would have the final say on any zoning proposed for the Helena Flats area, which has seen significant development pressure in the last few years.

"I know the amount of work that went into developing this plan," Hall said. "I think the final product is a good product."