Somers subdivisions rejected
Two subdivision proposals that together would have created almost 500 residential lots in the Somers area were shot down this week in the space of about 12 hours.
On Wednesday night, the Flathead County Planning Board unanimously recommended denial of the North Shore Ranch proposal, which called for 310 single-family lots on 367 acres along the south side of Montana 82, just east of Somers Road.
The developer had voluntarily agreed to provide $310,000 to the Somers School District and up to $100,000 to the Somers Volunteer Fire Department to mitigate impacts the project might have on local school and fire services.
However, the planning board was concerned about potential negative impacts on wildlife, given the proximity of the subdivision to the waterfowl production area at the head of Flathead Lake.
It was also concerned about the proposed density as well as with development near wetlands and the 100-year flood plain.
On Thursday morning, the county commissioners unanimously denied the preliminary plat for Meadowbrook Place, a 168-lot subdivision proposed on 56 acres between Somers Road and School Addition Road, immediately south of the Tiebuckers subdivision.
Density was a major concern with this project as well.
Commissioner Gary Hall said density of this type "really belongs in an urban setting," while Commissioner Joe Brenneman suggested that "if we're going to build a city, then let's build a city" and put in a grid road system, neighborhood commercial district and other urban amenities.
The availability of sewage treatment capacity and emergency service access also were concerns.
The commissioners also denied the preliminary plat for Sweetgrass Ranch, which would have created 55 residential lots on 125 acres located on the east side of Montana 206 about a half-mile north of Montana 35.
In other action on Wednesday, the planning board:
n Unanimously recommended approval of a zone change from SAG-10 to I-1 light industrial for 30 acres at 655 West Reserve Drive, immediately north of Semitool's existing manufacturing plant.
n Unanimously recommended approval of a zone change from SAG-10 to SAG-5 suburban agricultural for 73 acres on the east side of Airport Road, south of Kalispell.
n Split its vote on the preliminary plat of the amendment plat of Lot 3, Old Stone subdivision, which would result in two single-family lots on 7.3 acres at 205 Evers Creek Road.
n Unanimously recommended denial of a zone change from SAG-10 to SAG-5 for 15 acres located at 1015 Birch Grove Road, north of Kalispell.
Reporter Bill Spence may be reached at 758-4459 or by e-mail at bspence@dailyinterlake.com