Lakeside zoning district approved

New district won't allow condominiums

The Daily Inter Lake

Flathead County commissioners voted Monday morning to approve a zoning district for the Spring Creek neighborhood in Lakeside.

The Hedin/Spring Creek Zoning District will have a suburban residential classification.

Monday's meeting was a continuation of a public hearing on Aug. 7. The public hearing last week took more than 3 1/2 hours; final action was delayed until Commissioner Dale Lauman could be present.

The issue at the heart of this contentious zoning decision is a proposed condominium project.

For several years Jim Etzler, a Spring Creek landowner, has been attempting to get a condominium proposal through the planning process - without much success.

Neighboring landowners proposed the zoning district after hearing of the condo project.

The Spring Creek area is located off U.S. 93 near Lakeside.

Etzler's land is included in the zoning district that would allow only single-family homes. Condominiums would be prohibited.

At the June 20 Planning Board Meeting, Etzler said that this zoning would reduce his property's value by as much as 70 percent.

The Planning Board voted in favor of the zoning.

On Monday the commissioners did not hear any further public comment, although more than 40 people found room in the commissioners' chambers to hear the vote.

Prior to voting, each commissioner took a turn making comments on the issue.

Commissioner Gary Hall began by expressing his dislike for the creation of zoning districts as a reaction to neighboring development.

"I hope neighborhoods can get together and do a neighborhood plan together before it comes to this," Hall said.

Lauman, who represents the Somers and Lakeside area, said that even though he considers himself "pro-property rights," he felt the density of Etzler's condominium project would be too great for the Lakeside area.

Lauman also said it disappointed him to see neighbors pitted against one another.

"It used to be that a handshake and a smile were enough, now everything has to be in black and white," Lauman said.

Commissioner Joe Brenneman spoke last, noting that he didn't feel neighbors were targeting the Etzlers.

"I would be a lot easier is there was really bad people on one side of this issue and really nice people on the other. But that's not the case," Brenneman said. "I actually find Jim and Deb [Etzler] to be decent people. It would be hard to demonize them."

Brenneman also said that he was confident the Etzlers still would be able to profit off their land and it would be difficult to convince him there would be any real financial hardship caused by this.

Brenneman and Lauman voted for the zoning district; Hall voted against it.