Response to draft subdued
Growth policy
Document offers variety of development options
The initial response to the Flathead County Growth Policy draft has been fairly subdued, with 50 to 60 people attending the first two open houses in Kalispell and Evergreen.
A third open house was Wednesday in Bigfork, with three more scheduled next week in Whitefish, Somers and Columbia Falls.
Each open house includes a 30-minute presentation about the growth policy and the approval process. There also are informational posters on each chapter in the draft document, and several members of the county planning staff are available to answer questions.
Of the 10 chapters in the draft, seven address specific issues required by state law. Those issues, together with some of the proposed goals and policies, are:
. Land Uses - This is one of the more comprehensive chapters in the policy. It discusses traditional land-uses such as timber and agriculture; indicates what the county wants to accomplish in providing adequate room for commercial, industrial and residential development; talks about preserving open space and viewsheds; and discourages development in sensitive areas, such as wetlands and flood plains.
Fully a third of the 42 goals proposed in the document are contained in this section.
Among other items, the draft encourages commercial development that is "visually and functionally desirable" and discourages strip development. It also suggests that "ample commercial land designation" be provided, to promote affordability.
The draft recommends that an open space board be created, together with a regional open space preservation plan. The intent seems to be to identify and maintain wildlife corridors and viewsheds that protect the valley's unspoiled character.
Another proposal is to discourage high- or medium-density development within the 500-year flood plain, or in areas with shallow groundwater.
This section also addresses gravel mines, recommending that they be restricted in areas that pose a threat to water quality.
. Demographics and Housing - This chapter talks about maintaining a diverse housing and employment market, so that people of all different ages can afford to live here.
Some of the recommended policies include creating an affordable housing plan; offering development incentives to encourage a range of housing options; promoting the rehabilitation of historical and architecturally significant structures; and evaluating the possibility of forming a county building department to protect public health and safety.
. Parks and Recreation - This chapter discusses the importance of maintaining public parks and trails, and recommends that the development of new park facilities be accelerated to meet future demand.
. Economy - This chapter notes that the Flathead has one of the most diverse economies in the Rocky Mountain region, and that the area's pristine natural environment is one of its chief economic assets.
The draft recommends that community-based incentives be developed to maintain the valley's agricultural industry. It also encourages the production of local goods and services, and suggests that an industrial/business park be developed near Glacier Park International Airport.
. Transportation - This chapter addresses the relationship between the valley's transportation corridors and various land uses. It recommends that the two be developed hand-in-hand, so that one doesn't outpace the other.
Some suggested policies include restricting development in areas that lack adequate roads; adopting urban road design standards in areas adjacent to cities; requiring subdivision developers to mitigate traffic impacts from their projects by improving the adjacent county roadways; and identifying a regional bike path network.
. Public Facilities and Services - This chapter deals with sewer and water issues, emergency services, solid waste and schools.
Some recommended policies include allowing dense development "only in areas that will be served by public sewer systems;" preparing a county water quality management plan; initiating the development of a regional wastewater treatment system; restricting community or public sewer systems that aren't likely to be connected to a municipal treatment facility; and initiating a countywide wastewater management plan for the maintenance of existing septic systems.
. Natural Resources - This chapter acknowledges the vital role that the natural environment plays in the Flathead's quality of life, and suggests ways to protect water quality and other environmental characteristics.
Recommended policies include expanding the lakeshore protection zone; updating the valley's flood plain maps; creating a regional stormwater management plan; and discouraging land uses that might affect air quality in Glacier National Park, such as industrial development adjacent to the park.
In addition to these statutory issues, the draft growth policy features an implementation chapter that outlines tools and strategies that could ensure that the goals and objectives contained in the document are achieved.
These strategies include traditional mechanisms such as zoning and subdivision regulations, as well as new alternatives such as "development predictability maps" that indicate appropriate densities for areas that are not zoned, or maps that outline future road corridors and bike/pedestrian pathways.
Copies of the draft growth policy are available online at www.co.flathead.mt.us/fcpz/growthpolicy.html.
The Flathead County Planning Board will discuss the document during a work session at 6 p.m. today in the second-floor conference room of the Earl Bennett Building.
A formal public hearing on the draft will be Aug. 8.
Reporter Bill Spence may be reached at 758-4459 or by e-mail at bspence@dailyinterlake.com.