Saddlehorn II gets nine-year extension

Earlier this month the Flathead County commissioners agreed to extend the planned unit development for the Saddlehorn II subdivision another nine years.

Saddlehorn II was approved in late 2007 and is a residential mixed-use development on 559 acres in Bigfork just south of Montana 209. But the recession halted development shortly after the project was approved.

The preliminary plat for Saddlehorn II was set to expire last Wednesday, but was extended by unanimous vote from the commissioners for another two years at the request of project developers Doug Averill and Jim Frizzell.

The original plan was for 12 phases of construction over a nine-year period, from 2007 through 2016, which has now been extended to 2025.

Planned unit developments allow flexibility for developers to establish building guidelines that may deviate from zoning requirements.

The first phase of the Saddlehorn development was approved in 2006 for 66 cabin lots, 30 estate home lots, a commercial lodge with restaurant and meeting rooms, 11 rental cabins, onsite housing units for 70 to 100 employees, a general store, spa, equestrian center and 119 acres of open space and trails.

Much of the first-phase development is still pending. So far, eight homes have been built and 50 of the 96 residential lots have been sold, Frizzell said.

Saddlehorn drew international attention when it was first approved because of the developers’ commitment to green construction and energy-efficiency. Homes built in Saddlehorn must achieve energy-efficiency by using a water-capturing roof design, thermal capability and reflective glass windows.

The project was recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council and was a pilot project for Leadership in Engineering and Environmental Design.