Commissioners approve plan

The Flathead County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution of intent to adopt the revised Lakeside Neighborhood Plan on Thursday, nearly three years since work on the project began.

This revision and update to the plan has been in the works since an update was mandated by the adoption of the county’s growth policy. The 185-page document set for approval is the 27th version of the plan, which had been worked on by the Lakeside Neighborhood Plan Committee and the Lakeside Community Council and sent on to the county in June.

The Flathead County Planning Board met on the plan in September and recommended approval of the plan in a 4-2 vote.

Flathead County planner Andrew Hagemeier reported that two additional comments on the plan had been received since the planning board meeting, one of which pertained more to the proposed Lakeside Boulevard North Zoning District.

“First of all, I want to thank the committee that spent so much time on this. I admire you for sticking with it and taking it this far,” Commissioner Dale Lauman said. “As a resident of the Lakeside area, I’ve heard virtually everyone being for it. I’ve heard some concerns but I think the concerns have been addressed by the committee.”

Lauman recommended the approval of the plan. All three commissioners alluded to the challenges the plan has faced as it progressed and praised he committee and community on their work on the plan.

“I commend you. I know you’ve faced a lot of heat on occasion,” Commissioner Jim Dupont said. “I’m thankful for what you’ve done.”

Those challenges have included a lawsuit from some landowners in Lakeside and Somers seeking to stop the plan. The lawsuit has been on hold pending a final decision from the commissioners.

“The committee deserves some sort of award for finishing this,” Commissioner Joe Brenneman said.

The vote for the resolution of intent authorizes publication and triggers the start of a 30-day public comment period after which the commissioners will meet again on the plan and give it final approval. The public comment period will end Nov. 19. Comments can be sent to the commissioners by mail to 800 Main St., Kalispell, MT 59901.

Barb Miller, a member of both the Lakeside Community Council and plan committee, was one of only a few community members present to witness the vote. After three years of work on the plan, Miller said she was pleased that it is near completion.

“We’re just really excited. We know it’s well done,” Miller said. “We’ll stand up to any challenges that come.”

For more information on the plan or to view it in its entirety, visit www.lakesideplan2008.com. Copies of the plan are also available from the Flathead County Planning and Zoning office at 1035 First Ave. W. in Kalispell or by calling 751-8200.