Bigfork retreat center proposal postponed
An application to create a camp and retreat center near Bigfork has been postponed until the property owners can work out concerns over a road easement and septic-system requirements.
Monica Harris and Lisa Gilbert had asked for a conditional-use permit to establish a camp and retreat center on their 20-acre parcel at 500 Wild Swan Trail. The property is zoned agricultural.
The Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee considered the request on Dec. 29 and recommended the proposal be denied, citing a number of concerns including wetlands and high ground water, parking, septic and water facilities, and neighborhood impact.
The application was taken off the Flathead County Board of Adjustment’s Jan. 3 meeting agenda and will be scheduled for consideration within the next couple of months, the county Planning Office said.
The property owners had been offering nightly rentals in cabins until several adjacent neighbors filed formal complains with the county. The Planning Office investigated, and found the short-term rentals were a zoning violation. Harris and Gilbert complied with a Planning Office request to stop offering nightly rentals of the guest house and accessory dwelling unit on the Vacation Rental by Owner (VRBO) website and instead offer monthly rentals.
A conditional-use permit would allow the owners to rent both buildings on a bi-nightly basis with a two-night minimum, according to the planning staff report.
Harris and Gilbert envision a retreat center with groups of up to 15 people who could use the property as a natural sanctuary or pursue creative projects and agricultural interests. Retreat activities would be low-key and low-volume, with no outside amplified music, they propose.
Prior to the Bigfork committee’s review of the application, it had prompted 15 written comments from opponents and one comment in favor of the conditional-use permit. Most of the opponents noted concerns with noise, traffic and neighborhood impact.
If the project proceeds, the owners would need to upgrade the existing wastewater treatment and disposal systems.
The other big issue is the road easement, according to the planning staff report. The property has access via Julian Lane, Drew Lane and Wild Swan Trail, all of which are gravel, private roads within 30 feet easements off Montana 83. Drew Lane and Wild Swan Trail are only 16 feet wide and need to be a minimum of 20 feet to accommodate two-way traffic for a business, county regulations state.
A second camp and retreat proposal for a farming operation off Whitefish Stage Road won approval from the county Board of Adjustment on Jan. 3.
Scott and Megan Lester asked for a conditional-use permit to establish a camp and retreat center at their property to incorporate farming and agricultural-themed educational and recreational outdoor activities and cabins for farm stays. The Lesters operate Whitefish Stage Organic Farms with Julia and Ted Wycall on 65 acres along Bauer Way.
Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.