Board OKs Tally Lake zoning plan

A neighborhood plan for the Tally Lake and Farm-to-Market Road area won approval last week from the Flathead County Planning Board and now goes to the county commissioners for final approval.

If approved, the plan would impose suburban-agricultural zoning in that area, with a 10-acre minimum lot size.

Residents of the area recently formed Tally-Bissell Neighborhood Inc. and pushed for a neighborhood plan after Texas businessman Robert Hayes announced he was considering a trap-shooting range and gun club for personal use.

"It's a zoning proposal," stressed John Klassen, a member of the neighborhood group. "It's not just about the gun club. It's also to stop motocross or other crazy things going on here. We did not specifically address the gun club. Hayes said he'll move if we find him a suitable new home."

Klassen said now that the group has achieved its first goal, perhaps additional zoning requests will follow in other nearby rural areas.

"The zoning will help to promote and control growth at the same time," he said.

A 30-day public comment period will precede the commissioners' action on the plan.