Planning Board backs two projects

The Daily Inter Lake

A West Glacier training center and a Lakeside subdivision received green lights Wednesday from the Flathead County Planning Board.

The board recommended that the county commissioners give approval for Darwon Stoneman of STW Properties LLC to convert an existing shop into a conference and training center.

It also recommended approval for STW Properties to expand a 4,000-square-foot foundation into an eight- to 10-bedroom lodge and dining facility.

The site is about one-half mile west of Glacier National Park's entrance on U.S. 2. It is next to the Glacier Raft Co. and the Glacier Outdoors Center.

The Middle Canyon Land Use Advisory Committee previously recommended approval.

In a separate matter, the board recommended that the commissioners approve a preliminary plat for a 59-lot subdivision - Lakeside Estates Phases Three through Five - next to Bierney Creek Road.

Lakeside Land Development had obtained a preliminary plat for this project in 2004. But it had a three-year time limit to obtain a final plat with a one-year extension. The developer missed the four-year deadline by three days and has to reapply for a preliminary plat.

Board member Mike Mower said the economy might contribute to more projects missing their final plat deadlines and having to reapply for preliminary plats.