Commissioners approve county growth policy

The Flathead County Commissioners unanimously approved the county’s updated 2007 growth policy on Oct. 12.

The commissioners noted that the Flathead County Planning Board and county planning staff spent two years on the revision, including 21 workshops and two public hearings, and they declined to hold additional public hearings.

The final draft includes a property rights bill of rights that lists land-use regulation requirements that must be met “because of the increasing emphasis by the Montana courts on the ‘regulatory’ nature of growth policies.” If conflicts arise between any growth policy provisions, the property owners’ bill of rights will take precedence, the final draft states.

Commissioner Pam Holmquist had promised a bill of rights in the growth policy when she campaigned for county commissioner.

“It has been quite contentious for some reason,” she said. “Who wouldn’t want fair and due process and equal treatment? We all have a right to that process.”

Holmquist said she had read through extensive public comments on the plan revision, including letters of concern from water-quality groups such as the Flathead Lakers.

She said some 26 expert agencies address water quality and “I don’t think we need another layer of government to protect” water quality and the environment.

Commissioner Dale Lauman said many of the public comments dealt with preventing commercial development along highways. But most of the land along highways in Flathead County is unzoned, and commercial development “could happen right now,” he said.

Commissioner Cal Scott said he supported the updated growth policy because it gives a good, responsible vision for the future of Flathead County.