W. Valley rezoning gets initial approval

The Daily Inter Lake

The Flathead County commissioners gave preliminary approval on Thursday to a rezoning request for 42.5 acres in the West Valley area.

County Planner Andrew Hagemeier said the commissioners gave the preliminary go-ahead on the request, to rezone the land from 10-acre to 5-acre suburban agricultural.

The request was made by three property owners: Frank Strickland, Jack Endreson and Mike Fraser. They own a total of four 10-plus-acre parcels.

The land is west of Kalispell in the Westside Zoning District. The property is south of Three Mile Drive, west of Whispering Creek Road and east of West Valley Drive on Eastview Drive.

Fraser said the owners are “really not sure” what they will do with the property, but they have no plans to subdivide it.

“The market doesn’t justify the expenses of subdividing at this time,” Fraser said.

There is currently one house on the 42.5 acres, which includes a “very unique hillside,” Fraser said.

Hagemeier said one person spoke in favor of the rezoning during a public hearing Thursday, while two people spoke against it.

The item will come before the commissioners again in about 30 days, Hagemeier said.