BSC debates options for Bigfork plan

The Bigfork Steering Committee met last Thursday to discuss their strategy prior to the March 25 meeting of the Flathead County Planning Board concerning the Bigfork Neighborhood Plan.

At a planning board meeting earlier this month, the Bigfork Neighborhood Plan was discussed briefly, but a decision was postponed until March 25 because of the late hour as the meeting ran to nearly 11 p.m.

The BSC expressed confidence that the plan would pass the board with a recommendation for adoption by the county commissioners by a comfortable margin, if not an overwhelming one.

Shelley Gonzales, who heads the Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee and the neighborhood plan effort, said it had been indicated to her by county staff that a 6-3 vote would be likely, with George Culpepper Jr., Randy Toavs and Rita Hall dissenting. Those three planning board members were outspoken in their opposition at the initial meeting. Three other members — Marc Pitman, Mike Mower and Jim Heim — were outspoken in support, and the remaining three members indicated they looked favorably on the plan at a December workshop session between the planning board and BLUAC and the BSC.

It was noted that because the hearing is continued from a previous date, there is no opportunity for public comment at the March meeting, only board discussion. There will, however, be a chance for the public to comment when the plan goes before the commissioners.

“We still have one more day in court,” Paul Guerrant, a BLUAC member, said.

The group also discussed the planning board’s statutory limitations, essentially whether the board has the legal ability to rewrite sections of the plan or simply vote to recommend or not the exact text submitted.

“I’ve looked at every statutory thing the planning board can do,” said BLUAC member Al Johnson, who is also an attorney. “We have to assert our autonomy.”

The committee decided to send a small delegation to speak with Flathead County Planning Director Jeff Harris for clarification and explanation of the issue.

The March 25 planning board meeting will take place at 6 p.m. in the Earl Bennett Building in Kalispell.