Bigfork commercial subdivision gets favorable nod

The Flathead City-County Planning Board on Wednesday voted to recommend approval for a commercial subdivision on 5.31 acre along Montana 82 near Pick’s Bowling Center in Bigfork that would create five lots ranging from .69 acres to 1.41 acres in size.

The proposal to create Ridgeview Park subdivision was initially approved in 2006, but after a road was constructed and water and sewer infrastructure installed, the project came to a halt.

“We’re looking to pick up where we left off,” said applicant Mark Herman.

There has been interest in the lots for a number of uses, including batting cages, a bank, offices and a pickleball facility, Herman noted. The existing zoning is B3 or community business, which allows a variety of businesses ranging from laundromats and daycare centers to restaurants and microbreweries, along with limited residential uses, namely upstairs apartments.

Thirteen agencies were notified of the plans to create Ridgeview Park subdivision, including Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Bigfork Fire District, among others. No objections to the request or written public comment were received, although the Montana Department of Transportation requested the owners obtain a new approach permit from MDT since there would be “a change in use of an existing access,” the application states. The proposal was also reviewed by the Bigfork Area Land Use Advisory Committee during its March meeting, and it also made a positive recommendation for the subdivision.

Board members voted to recommend their approval of the subdivision to Flathead County commissioners, who will have the ultimate say on whether the subdivision moves forward or not.

A date for that meeting has yet to be scheduled, but members of the public can review the commissioner’s agenda for the latest updates at www.flathead.mt.gov/commissioner.

Reporter Mackenzie Reiss may be reached at mreiss@dailyinterlake.com.