Growth policy set for final action

The Daily Inter Lake

After more than a year of continuous effort, Flathead County's new growth policy goes to the commissioners for a final decision Monday morning.

They're scheduled to consider a resolution of final adoption at 9:30 a.m. They can approve or deny the revised draft as it currently stands, or make a few last minute changes before adopting the policy.

A 30-day written comment period on the draft ended March 9.

Almost 150 letters and e-mail messages were submitted. Most focused on the neighborhood plan section, urging the commissioners to remove all of the changes made by the Flathead County Planning Board.

A handful asked for additional restrictions.

Work on the growth policy began more than four years ago. After several false starts, the pace picked up in fall 2005.

The Flathead County Planning Office spent months writing the document, and the planning board held dozens of meetings before unanimously recommending approval of the revised version in December.

Public comment will not be taken during Monday's 9:30 meeting. However, a general public comment period will be held at 8:45 a.m.