Big turnout for subdivision meeting

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

More than 50 people packed the conference room at the Earl Bennett Building at last week's Flathead County Planning Board meeting in which the only agenda item was approval for preliminary plat for the North Shore Ranch Subdivision.

The 290-lot proposal would be constructed along Highway 82 immediately east of Mackinaw Estates in Somers.

Public comment trended in opposition to the project, with neighbors and organizations citing dangers to water quality, traffic issues, wildlife impacts and concerns about the adjacent Flathead Waterfowl Production Area.

Developer Sean Averill said that the neighborhood would respect the area and said an aggressive native plant plan, pedestrian and horse trails that would be open to the public and because the homes would hook into the Lakeside Sewer and Water District, septic systems would not be a concern.

Gail Bissell, a Fish Wildlife and Parks biologist, said she felt the density was too high for the area and that introducing that many people — and their domestic pets — to the area would significantly impact the waterfowl. Bissell and others also cited risks associated with hunting in the Waterfowl Production Area and the proximity of homes to the hunters.

North Shore resident Henry Oldenburg agrees, saying, "Only a Guantanamo-type fence could keep dogs and cats out" of the waterfowl area.

Because of the large turnout, and the almost 200 comments received by the County Planning Office, Planning Office Assistant Director BJ Grieve, who is also the staff member assigned to the project, recommended the board take a week to read through and digest the large amount of feedback.

The planning board reconvened on Wednesday, April 2 to vote on a recommendation. That decision will be reported in next week's Eagle.