Rural Bigfork neighbors reactivate land-use group

The LaBrant-Lindsey Lane Land Use Advisory Committee has planned a public meeting Monday to rekindle interest in the neighborhood plan that covers an area north of Bigfork.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the conference room of the Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W. in Kalispell.

Committee chairman Philip Crissman recently asked the Flathead County Planning Office if a meeting could be set up because the group has not met for several years.

The LaBrant-Lindsey Lane Neighborhood Plan was added as an amendment to the Flathead County growth policy in 1998. The area generally encompasses neighborhoods served by LaBrant Road and Lindsey Lane, northwest of Echo Lake, south of Many Lakes and on the east side of Montana 35.

The plan was drafted out of concern for the potential of increased subdivision activity in that area.

Monday’s meeting aims to reactivate the LaBrant-Lindsey Lane Land Use Advisory Committee. Planning Office Coordinator Mary Fisher said Crissman wants to discuss getting information about the neighborhood plan to all of the affected property owners in the plan area.

“He felt that there were so many new homeowners in the area that might not know about the neighborhood plan and the land use advisory committee and wanted to talk to the committee about increasing the awareness and availability of information regarding those,” Fisher said. “He also thought they could network with other land use advisory committees to increase awareness countywide about neighborhood plans.”

The committee will discuss how to increase awareness of the LaBrant-Lindsey Lane plan, which may include a website and mailed information. Committee members also will evaluate the need for a review and update of current code documents in the plan.

The neighborhood plan is posted on the county website at flathead.mt.gov; click on Growth Policy.

For further information contact Planning Director Mark Mussman at 751-8200.