BLUAC approves small zone change

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

The Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee voted last Thursday to approve a small zone change on Fern Lane near Ferndale and expressed frustration over Flathead County's lax sign regulation enforcement.

The committee approved a change from Suburban Agricultural 10 zoning to SAG-5 on a 10-acre lot at 214 Fern Lane owned by Margaret Hunter and Kirk Ogrin.

The couple explained that they wanted to change the zoning so that they could seek a family transfer to allow their daughter to build a home on the property.

Under county regulations, a family transfer must comply with the parcel's zoning, so a 10-acre lot in SAG-10 zoning could not be divided.

BLUAC voted unanimously to recommend approval of the change to the Flathead County Planning Board, in line with a recommendation for approval given by planning department staffer Andrew Hagemeier.

In other business the committee had a general discussion concerning sign violations all over Flathead County and the county's reluctance to enforce its policies.

BLUAC Secretary Sue Hanson pointed out that BLUAC has forwarded sign violations to the county in the past, but the county has not acted.

Shelley Gonzales, BLUAC chairman, said George Smith of the county Planning and Zoning Department was investigating possible violations by the new tenants of the old Swan River School building near Streeter's Corner north of Bigfork. A "flea market" was being advertised in front of that building last week from a parked camper.

It was decided that Hanson would draft a letter to the county outlining the efforts of BLUAC to assist the county with violations and point out the repercussions of not enforcing regulations.