Planning board backs four of five subdivisions

The Daily Inter Lake

The Flathead County Planning Board recommended denial of one proposed subdivision and gave thumbs up to four others on Wednesday.

All of the votes were unanimous.

The only public comment at the meeting related to Deer Meadows, an eight-lot residential subdivision proposed on 20.5 acres on the east side of Conn Road, south of Montana 40.

Several neighbors spoke in opposition, citing concerns about the proposed density, traffic impacts and the area's high water table.

The area is unzoned, so there is no requirement regarding minimum lot sizes.

Most of the speakers, though, suggested that five-acre lots, rather than the 2.5-acre lots proposed, would be appropriate for the neighborhood.

Some planning board members agreed. Others, however, suggested that smaller lots would be better as long as they were clustered to preserve open space in the low-lying portion of the property.

Given that the lots were either too small or not small enough, the board voted to recommend denial of the project.

The proposal now goes to the county commissioners for final action unless the developer withdraws the application.

Items that were recommended for approval on Wednesday include:

-The preliminary plat for the Sherman subdivision, a two-lot single-family subdivision on 4.5 acres at 769 Pleasant Valley Rd. in Marion.

-The preliminary plat for Riverview Overlook, a 16-lot single family subdivision on 15 acres in an abandoned gravel pit on the east side of the Flathead River, immediately north of Montana 35.

The project would feature multi-user water and sewer systems, as well as substantial setbacks from the Flathead River.

-The preliminary plat for Yo Bear Estates, a four-lot single-family subdivision on 14.5 acres at 1860 Tamarack Lane.

-The preliminary plat for Subdivision 251, a four-lot single-family project on 9 acres east of McGregor Lake, off North Fork Murr Creek Road.