Commissioners OK Somers zoning

The Daily Inter Lake

After neighbors offered overwhelming support for the proposal, the Flathead County commissioners gave preliminary approval Monday to an interim zoning district near Somers.

The decision kicks off a 30-day protest period. If more than 40 percent of the property owners in the district oppose the measure, the zoning can't be implemented.

A successful protest seems unlikely, however, given that about 80 percent of landowners have indicated they favor the proposal.

That was evident on Monday, when a standing-room-only crowd attended the public hearing on the Old Highway 93 Zoning District: Only one person spoke in opposition, compared to 32 in support.

The local residents requested the zoning after several high-density condominium projects were planned for the largely single-family residential neighborhood, raising concerns about traffic, infrastructure and impacts on water quality.

The proposed district covers 111 acres along the east side of U.S. 93, between the Somers Fish Hatchery and Mackinaws Grill. Assuming it gets final approval, it will impose R-2 residential zoning on the area.

The R-2 zone allows single-family housing, with a 20,000-square foot minimum lot size.

Earlier this fall, the county enacted a temporary moratorium on new, permanent zoning requests because of legal concerns related to the growth policy.

Consequently, this proposal came forward as emergency or interim zoning. It would be in place for a year at most; it would be replaced by permanent zoning after the county adopts a new growth policy.