Lakeside marina seeks major lakeshore variance
A proposed major lakeshore variance to allow new construction at a Lakeside marina is the focus of a public hearing before the Flathead County Planning Board on Wednesday.
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Flathead County Fairgrounds Trade Center building.
APEC Engineering is requesting, on behalf of Lakeside Marina Resort, a major variance to the Flathead County Lake and Lakeshore Protection Regulations to build a concrete retaining wall, paved parking surface and boardwalk within the lakeshore protection zone.
The proposed construction would occur “within an existing man-made channel in Flathead Lake, abutting the Highway 93 right-of-way,” according to the Flathead County Planning Office staff report.
The proposed project is located at Lakeside Marina Resort – along U.S. 93 on the north end of Lakeside – and would be built on the site of a former legally “non-conforming building” located over the water that “was recently removed.”
According to APEC Engineering’s environmental impact study, “an ongoing need for a safe path for pedestrian travel along the busy highway and for additional parking in the immediate area, and for a transition from the highway edge, i.e. landscaping, contributed to the owner’s proposal.”
The project also includes a water treatment system to collect the flow of water from a highway culvert and then discharge the water into the lake after treatment.
The Planning Office’s findings are generally supportive of the project. “Strict enforcement of the requirements and standards” of the county lakeshore regulations “could result in undue hardship” because water circulation within the channel would continue to be poor and pedestrian access along the highway right of way would “remain inadequate,” the staff report said.
The report outlines two specific conditions of approval for the proposal: The “placement of fill outside of the footprint of the proposal is prohibited” and “all work shall be done when Flathead Lake is at low pool.”
IN OTHER business, the Planning Board will look at several subdivision proposals across the valley.
Owner and applicant Patrick Mackin is asking to build an 18-lot subdivision on a 5.7-acre property along Harmony Road on the east side of Evergreen. The Mackin Townhomes would be served by Evergreen Sewer and Water, and the lots would be made up of single-family attached units to create a subdivision with a total of 36 households.
The Saint Herman Orthodox Church is asking for preliminary plat approval for a two-lot subdivision with one residential lot and one lot for the proposed church. The 40-acre property is located on 285 North Hill Road on the northeast corner of the intersection of North Hill Road and Morning View Drive.
Brian Ray is asking for a zoning amendment within the Highway 93 North Zoning District. Ray, the owner and applicant, is seeking to create “some five-acre lots” on his 40-acre property and is asking for a zone change from SAG-10, suburban agricultural zoning with a 10-acre minimum lot size, to SAG-5, suburban agricultural zoning with a 5-acre minimum lot size.
The board will also review preliminary plat approval for an eight-lot subdivision on the north side of the valley. BB Development Company is seeking to build a subdivision with eight residential lots on 6.25 acres on Hodgson Road just west of U.S. 2.
Reporter Colin Gaiser may be reached at 758-4439 or cgaiser@dailyinterlake.com.