Proposed retreat center west of Whitefish includes horse facilities

A camp and retreat center proposed on 20 acres of agricultural land off U.S. 93 west of Spencer Lake near Whitefish will need a conditional-use permit to move forward.

The Flathead County Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing on Nov. 2 to consider the application submitted by Alden Bing and James Van Benschoten of Durango, Colorado. The property is owned by Duane Moore of Whitefish.

“It is our plan to provide stalls for campers with horses while they stay in the campground and enjoy horseback riding on the many trails that Flathead County offers,” the applicants stated in their paperwork submitted to the county Planning Office. “... The property’s location within walking distance to the Northern Spencer Mountain Trailhead is ideal for both hikers, mountain bike enthusiasts and people who enjoy walking through the woods.”

Four acres of the property, located at 3335 U.S. 93 W., would be used as a campground that would include 59 sites, an office building and store, RV staging area, dog park, pickleball court, playground, bathrooms and pavilion.

The rest of the property would offer horse stalls, and a pasture for cattle to graze and remain open, according to the staff report.

The proposed access is from U.S. 93 via a 30-foot easement, which would provide ingress and egress to the camp and retreat center, the staff report states. The access road within a 30-foot easement would provide for two-way traffic up to the office.

The campground road will be looped and allow for one-way traffic on most of the roads, the main road through the middle of the campground will allow for two-way traffic.

The property is zoned agricultural with a 40-acre minimum lot size. It’s generally vacant land with a wooded area at the rear of the property,” the planning staff report states.

Following review of the application, the Planning Office concluded that the request to allow a camp and retreat center on the property “is generally supported” by the review criteria. Fifteen conditions of approval have been outlined, covering various elements such as fencing, lighting, signage and off-street parking.

The Board of Adjustment meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2, in the second-floor conference room of the Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W, in Kalispell.

News editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 406-758-4421 or lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.