Local officials consider Bigfork zone change

A proposed zoning map amendment that sets the stage for commercial and denser residential development on 67.7 acres near Bigfork will be considered Tuesday, Feb. 27, by the Flathead County commissioners.

A public hearing begins at 9:30 a.m. in the commissioner chambers on the third floor of the courthouse in Kalispell.

Icecap LLC is asking to change the zoning from suburban agricultural with a 10-acre minimum lot size to B-2 general business on 10 acres and one-family limited residential zoning on 57.7 acres at 7645 Montana 35 in the Holt Zoning District.

The Planning Office staff reports lists the property owners as Joseph Eslick, Joann Eslick, Jay Eslick, Sean Meuller and Marla Britton. They want to sell the property to Icecap LLC, the report notes.

The property contains a house and several accessory structures, but is otherwise open space 2 miles north of Bigfork.

Icecap LLC proposes a 10-acre swath of B-2 general business zoning along Montana 35, and is seeking B-2 zoning instead of B-3 zoning because B-2 allows recreational vehicle parks as a permitted use. The applicant plans to include an upscale RV park along with conventional lodging on the property, the planning staff report indicates.

Many of the surrounding properties are large-lot residential, undeveloped or agricultural tracts, with some commercial uses to the northwest.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks submitted written comments that do not support the zone change. The agency maintained the zone change would allow for increased development, including high-density housing, which would affect the wildlife value of the agricultural lands and associated wetlands on the property.” The agency also said the zone change would set further precedent for additional zone changes in that area, which would lead to cumulative impacts to wildlife habitat.

The proposed residential zoning would allow for up to 122 additional lots on the 57.7-acre tract.

The Flathead County Planning Board in December 2017 voted unanimously to forward a recommendation of approval for the zoning map amendment. The Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee likewise recommended approval of the proposed zone change, with a 4-1 vote.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.