Guest opinion

Separate but equal

It is becoming apparent that the Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee (BLUAC) and the Bigfork Steering Committee (BSC) are separate entities and neither should be reporting to the other. Both operate in mutual community interest. Although they both exist to provide public input concerning planning and growth they have separate, very specific roles, separate by-laws and specific responsibilities.

BLUAC is an official Flathead County Committee with the assignment of addressing those applications for zone changes and variances being processed through the Flathead County Planning and Zoning office. Members receive public input and comment, which is considered in the review and analysis of each application. The committee, which has no decision making authority, provides its recommendation which is then passed on to the county planners for action by the Board of Adjustments, and/or the Flathead Planning board and ultimately the county commissioners. Current volunteer members are appointed by county commissioners through a standard procedure. However the upcoming May election will start the phase-in of new elected members voted on by Bigfork citizens. This change was agreeable to all involved including the BLUAC committee members.

BSC, on the other hand, is a community initiated organization originally formed to collect and assimilate public input through a community wide survey. These opinions and public wishes have been tallied, compiled and presented to the public. The group is proceeding on to utilize this information in development of an updated Bigfork Area Land Use Plan which will be submitted as a proposed addendum to the Flathead County Master Plan required by law and due Oct. 1, 2006. This project has involved input from many community members in seeking additional data and compiling it into a proposed updated growth policy for Bigfork. Many other neighborhoods throughout the valley are also working on their plans as well as the Flathead County Long Range Planning Committee.

Unfortunately there has developed dissension between the two Bigfork groups largely due to the question of which organization has authority over what. BLUAC originally had been approached by BSC to sponsor the community survey and approval was given both by that committee and county officials. Through them BSC was reporting indirectly to county administration.

As time went on, however, the functions of BSC expanded into work on planning and exploring possibilities of incorporation. It became apparent that this committee was seeking to gain more and more control over the operation of BLUAC. As an example, the handling of the five vacancies of two of its board members should have been handled, as in similar past instances, exclusively by that board itself and not by an outside group. Likewise, after the decision was made by the County Commissioners that these two individuals were free to re-apply, the entire replacement procedure should have been handled by the officer of the BLUAC committee not the acting secretary, a BSC officer. It was not. BLUAC members feel BSC has increasingly overstepped its authority. It all seems so nebulous since, in only three months, the public will be making those decisions through the election endorsed by both BLUAC and BSC.

There are, of course, differing opinions on such issues as incorporation, growth, multi-family and affordable housing, natural resources, land use, community character, traffic etc. Nine sub-committees of BSC are now busy addressing these, researching and analyzing the many aspects. Through a series of upcoming meetings the public is invited to express their opinions plus indicate zoning preferences for their own properties. All of this is a productive function of this group of volunteers.

BLUAC will proceed with the assigned job for which they have been carefully selected based on qualifications. Those currently on the board represent a diversity of backgrounds including homeowners, retirees and tradesmen many with limited planning expertise. The builder and realtor on the board do not represent a special interest, but provide special expertise critical to good land planning. They have the knowledge of the maze of codes, permits, construction, regulations, and services which compose land development. Board members are required to excuse themselves from any decision from which they may financially benefit.

Applications keep coming in and growth occurs. This cannot be helped and someone has to do this job. BLUAC volunteer members who own and operate their own businesses are dedicated and have given many additional hours to such community services. They represent the leading industry currently financing the economy of Flathead County. Bigfork will continue to need conscientious qualified people on this committee.

Sincerely,

Clarice Ryan

Acting chair

Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee