Ramifications of proposed Bigfork development

I spoke at the Bigfork Land and Use Advisory Committee on July 27.

Jeremy Weber, editor of the Bigfork Eagle, wrote an article and used some of my comments. I did not use my entire written speech because I wanted more citizens to give their opinions. Weber did a good job of representing my comments:

“This is Montana. We have all the land in the world. Why would you have so much space and say we need to have smaller and smaller lots. … What would be the reason for rezoning? Would it be to make everyone’s life better? Is it to make a prettier area or is it just the greed of being able to sell more lots. I don’t think that is a proper reason for rezoning.”

I left soon after I spoke because I wanted to see first-hand where the proposed subdivision was. I live in the Bear Hollow Subdivision, north of Peaceful Drive.

I wonder how many people have driven Peaceful Drive to the North Shore Woods entry or how many drove Bigfork Stage Road to the entry. I did. Neither is a good way to enter/exit a subdivision.

I do not believe for a second that the development company did any decent analysis on how 125, 100 or less property owners could easily exit/enter the subdivision from either of the roads. The land is almost landlocked.

Using Peaceful Drive to get from the proposed subdivision to Montana 35 is problematic because I do not believe the road was constructed for an additional 100/125 homes. Keep in mind that there is a steep grade leading up to Montana 35. Also, the developer’s spokesperson was wrong. There is NO left turn lane from the north on Montana 35. It sort of begins near Peaceful Drive, that is all.

Using Bigfork Stage Road is problematic for different reasons.

Going North on Bigfork Stage Road to get to Montana 83 means you are on a gravel, somewhat narrow road, with little or no shoulders.

Going South on Bigfork Stage Road means you must traverse the 1,800 feet the developer proposed to asphalt. Then, in order to get to Montana 35, you must use the remainder of Bigfork Stage Road, Blenn St, Electric Ave, Commerce St, lastly to Holt Street. If I am correct with my directions, a bit convoluted.

I challenge anyone from the planning board and every commissioner to take a group of five to 10 vehicles to trace the roads proposed by the developer BEFORE any decision is made.

Any way you look at the project, you must consider the ramifications of every single person leaving the subdivision in case of a tragedy. Bigfork Fire Chief, Jeremy Patton, said “… if there were any wildland fire event to the east it could possibly cause a conflagration in this setting.”

As for the other speakers mentioned in Mr. Weber’s article, I disagree wholeheartedly with real estate broker Patrick Pacheco who sarcastically said, “If you didn’t want it developed, you should have put your money where your mouth was and bought it.”

I don’t think we would be in this meeting if a conscientious developer purchased the property and developed it for five acre lots.

I disagree with committee member Chany Ockert who believes that this development is going to help workers find affordable housing. The developer is not concerned about workers and their housing. If so, I suspect there would be other properties in the area where the developer could have built apartments.

On a side note, does anyone notice the construction around the Bigfork area? I have a new proposed subdivision starting adjacent to mine (Bear Hollow). I suspect more housing developments are coming.

Susan Repa lives in Bigfork