74-lot subdivision near Kila approved

The Daily Inter Lake

The Flathead County commissioners approved a major subdivision near Kila on a 2-1 vote Tuesday.

Haskill Mountain Ranch features 74 single-family home lots on 530 acres along Browns Meadow Road.

The Flathead County Planning Board unanimously recommended denial of the project earlier this year based on several concerns, including density, wildlife impacts and water availability.

Several people spoke against the proposal during a general public comment period just prior to Tuesday's decision, raising some of the same concerns. Two people also spoke in favor, suggesting that the developer should be allowed to proceed as long as they comply with the subdivision regulations.

Commissioners Gary Hall and Bob Watne indicated that their concerns had been mitigated by the imposition of conditions.

For example, the developer will have to pave about four miles of Browns Meadow Road, as well as another 1.5 miles of internal subdivision road.

Commissioner Joe Brenneman supported the planning board recommendation, saying the project wasn't ready to proceed as presented.