Another bylaws change for BLUAC

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

Any slight change in the language of the Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee's bylaws ends up being a huge pain, as it must be sent on and approved by the Flathead County Commissioners. But for the second time in recent months, BLUAC will have to forward a request to clarify language in their governing rules.

The group briefly discussed the possibility of removing one word from its bylaws to clear up confusion over the "member-at-large" position on the seven-member board at its meeting last Thursday.

On the first page of the bylaws an "elected seven member board" is referenced, though later in the rules the procedure for the six elected members to appoint the member-at-large is outlined.

The proposed change would omit the word "elected" from the first passage. The item will be discussed at the board's August 29 meeting.

There were no applications before the board in July, though developer Arthur Leiberman, who has purchased the old bowling alley at Holt Drive and Highway 35, gave a preliminary presentation to the board to solicit input.

Leiberman's planner, Narda Wilson of Sands Surveying, said that they would likely be submitting a zone change application to the Flathead County Planning and Zoning office in August to re-zone two adjacent residential properties that Leiberman also purchased with the intent to change the access point to the property.

The rebuilt area would allow access from Holt Drive, west of the current bowling alley building.

Leiberman said he is planning to build a mixed-use development that he predicted would include about 30,000 square feet of total construction, with about two-thirds of that being dedicated to office and retail space and the remainder being residential.

Leiberman expressed his hope that the project will meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, which would be one of, if not the, first such projects in the state.