Workshop looks at lakeshore protection rules

How to proceed with lakeshore protection regulations for Whitefish and Lost Coon lakes will be the focus of a Flathead County Planning Board workshop on Wednesday, Sept. 24.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the second-floor conference room of the Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First. Ave. W., Kalispell, and will allow time for public comments.

The county commissioners opted to have the Planning Board study the lakeshore regulation situation in light of the Montana Supreme Court ruling that gave planning control to the county. 

The ruling suspended the Whitefish Lakeshore Protection Committee from reviewing lakeshore permit applications.

Until the county decides how to proceed, any lakeshore permit applications for the two lakes that involve county property are being processed by the county, with the commissioners giving final approval for lakeshore permits. Previously the city of Whitefish handled all lakeshore permits on Whitefish and Lost Coon lakes.

Several Whitefish city officials asked the commissioners earlier this week to allow the joint city-county Whitefish Lakeshore Protection Committee to continue its oversight of lakeshore issues.

County Planning Director BJ Grieve has drafted an analysis of six options the Planning Board will begin considering at the work session. He listed pros and cons for each of the options. 

Those options can be found online at http://flathead.mt.gov/planning_zoning/documents/WFLakeshoreOptionsAnalysis.pdf.