Board to consider structures at Bigfork golf course

The Flathead County Board of Adjustment is scheduled to consider five proposals during its monthly meeting Tuesday night, including a request for a permit extension to maintain several temporary buildings at the Eagle Bend Golf Club in Bigfork, which lost its clubhouse in a massive fire in February 2020.

The golf club is seeking an extension of a conditional-use permit so it can continue using two double-wide trailers that serve as a pro shop, a golfer check-in desk and administrative offices, as well as a large canopy tent used as a dining area and several trailers that serve as a restroom, a kitchen, a bar, and dry and refrigerated food storage.

The temporary buildings have been in place for about a year. Eagle Bend's golf director, Mike Wynne, recently said he anticipates the new clubhouse will be completed by Thanksgiving.

Also on the Board of Adjustment's agenda:

• Gregory and Adria Strable are seeking an "after-the-fact" variance for a retaining wall that was built too close to their property line at 1332 Bigfork Stage Road, prompting a code-enforcement complaint. Planning and Zoning Department staff reported the application does not appear to meet any of the necessary criteria for a setback variance, saying there is already adequate buildable space on the property. Additionally, the Flathead City-County Health Department said it objects to the construction of any house on the property because the permit for a septic system expired in 2013.
• James Gelormino is seeking a variance to build a detached accessory structure and mini storage unit at 628 Willow Glen Drive in Kalispell. The variance would affect a front-yard setback as well as the width of a driving lane. Planning staff similarly reported the application does not meet the necessary criteria.
• Adam Britt is seeking a conditional-use permit to build nine "cluster dwellings," or tiny homes, on about 1.7 acres at 615 Holt Drive in Bigfork to be used as short-term rentals.
• Anthony Sundh is seeking a conditional-use permit for a second manufactured home on 4.34 acres at 315 Helena Flats Road in Evergreen.

The board will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the second-floor conference room of the county's South Campus Building at 40 11th St. W. in Kalispell. Instructions for tuning in via Zoom can be found on the county's website.

Reporter Chad Sokol can be reached at 758-4439 or csokol@dailyinterlake.com