Peaks or signs: The changing face of W. Glacier

How should West Glacier look in the coming years?

It’s an idea that Flathead County Planning Director BJ Grieve posed to West Glacier business owners and residents last week.

Should more commercial operations be allowed? Should businesses be permitted closer to the highway? Should the business area become more spread out?

“We want to see if there is interest in the ability to do more commercial uses,” he said. “This is something that should be revisited once in awhile.”

The answer came as a mix of ideas. Most folks, however, want West Glacier to remain tasteful and welcoming to visitors of Glacier National Park.

The Flathead County Planning department hosted a community forum to gauge interest in amending the Canyon Area Land Use Regulatory System. Roughly 40 people attended the meeting.

A group of business owners is interested in changing the designated service center portion of the document. There has been no formal request to amend the document.

Virginia DeToni, who owns business property along U.S. 2, sent a letter to the Planning Department requesting the meeting. DeToni and a group of business owners went through a similar process in 2004, but changes were never made.

DeToni said she has spoken with several business owners in the area who are still interested in making changes to the service center.

“We thought maybe we could carry on the conversation,” she said.

Changes include expanding the service center, changing setback requirements along the highway, limiting building height and creating architectural standards.

The designated service center generally includes West Glacier itself and an area along both sides of the highway near Belton Chalet. A number of businesses are located west of that area. The service center sets standards for what kind of businesses are allowed in the area and how it should look.

Pat McClelland said driving towards West Glacier means leaving the development of the valley behind.

“I like the spacious feeling you get as you approach the Park,” she said. “What do you need up here that you can’t get by driving 10 miles?”

One of the ideas to create setbacks that allow businesses to be located closer to the highway drew opposition from several people. The setback, along the highway, outside the designated service center is now 150 feet. In the service center it is 40 feet along the highway.

Neil Brewster said he opposes a smaller setback.

“I don’t see where this is going to change anything (to help businesses),” he said. “Leave the setback or we’ll lose our vistas.”

Lynn Mackie and Wayne Milbrandt, who operate Glacier Rawhide, said the large setback is a hindrance to their business. They say they have struggled with getting customers to stop at their restaurant.

“We can’t put up a sign to let people know we’re here,” Milbrandt said. “You’re tying everybody’s hands.”

Mackie said she has taken to burning wood behind their building to attract customers.

“People don’t see the sign, but they see the smoke,” she said. “People ask what we’re cooking and I say we’re cooking trees to get you into my place.”

Cas Still, owner of the Belton Chalet, said businesses should be promoting Glacier Park not just themselves.

“We want people to see the mountains not see our signs,” she said. “Glacier Park has to be our promotion.”

More meetings could be held on the issue in the future. Because there is no formal request for changes there is no set procedure for what will happen next.

Grieve said he will take input from the meeting to the county commissioners who will make the final decision on the next step.