Saddlehorn part two goes before plan board
The Daily Inter Lake
The second phase of the Saddlehorn development in Bigfork comes before the Flathead County Planning Board on Wednesday.
Saddlehorn II is a residential mixed-use subdivision and planned unit development on 559 acres south of Montana 209.
This phase includes 180 residential units, two commercial lots and eight open-space parcels. It is located southeast of the first phase of Saddlehorn.
The subdivision will require two accesses from Montana 209 and an emergency exit through the Ranch Subdivision.
Recreational amenities will include equestrian, tennis and boat facilities.
At the Oct. 25 Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee meeting, developer Doug Averill said the project has been recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council and is a pilot project for Leadership in Engineering and Environmental Design.
Phase II would increase the overall Saddlehorn development to approximately 800 acres and 320 lots.
Phase 1 of the development - approved by county commissioners a year ago - includes 66 cabin lots, 30 estate home lots, a commercial lodge with restaurant and meeting rooms, 11 rental cabins, on-site housing units for 70 to 100 employees, a general store, spa, equestrian center and 119 acres of open space and trails.
Eight members of the public spoke about Saddlehorn at the Oct. 25 committee meeting. Some of them raised concerns about increased traffic as well as the possibility of Saddlehorn residents using Ranch Road as a short cut rather than an emergency exit.
Three people spoke in favor of the subdivision.
The Bigfork committee voted unanimously to recommend approval of the subdivision.
On Wednesday, the Planning Board also will hear a request from Loyal and Marilyn Murer to change the zoning from suburban agriculture to suburban residential on their 14.58-acre property at 7940 Montana 35.
The Planning Board will meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday in the second-floor conference room of the Earl Bennett Building at 1035 First Ave. W. in Kalispell.