BLUAC appoints new member; work begins to update neighborhood plan

The Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee appointed Laura Perry to an open seat during its Thursday, Aug. 29 meeting.  

Perry has a background in real estate, development and mortgages, and has worked in California, Nevada and Canada. She expressed interest in creating low-cost housing opportunities, responsible development and in exploring incorporation.  

“We have no control without incorporation, and if we’re okay with that, then that’s where we go, it’s not something I’m going to be able to change on my own anyway, but if there is a way to work with legislators to make it where we have a larger area that is put into the incorporation, we would have control over planning and zoning... That’s my interest in incorporation, because then we could have a certain look and feel if we’re going to put a big motel over off of Highway 83,” Perry said.  

The BLUAC members reminded Perry of past research into incorporation, which determined that the cost would fall on a small population in Bigfork, and that incorporation is out of the committee’s purview. The community of Bigfork in the past has chosen not to move towards incorporation. Many public comments and a petition would be required to consider incorporation.  

“I’m interested in being part of a solution and helping everybody maximize their enjoyment, the benefits of their land, while still keeping the beautiful village feel of Bigfork,” Perry said. 

Perry will fill the position through the May election, then be placed on the ballot if she wishes to continue for a two-year term.  

BLUAC also looked to update the Bigfork Neighborhood Plan, adopted in 2009. Committee member Shelley Gonzales has been combing through census data as part of the process.  

“One of the trends that came up was, the population is older than it was in 2009, but the surprising thing was the median income has gone up by almost $25,000 a year. So, what that says is, older people are coming in with their wealth and it’s making a more wealthy population,” Gonzales said.  

There are also plans to develop a current land use map and inventory how many lots, homes and businesses are in the Bigfork area.  

“To understand capacity and what our future growth is, we need that inventory. There may be some zones that aren’t available for any more growth. We need to look at that and may have to change zoning to accommodate that,” vice president Jerry Sorensen said.  

Also expected to be included in the updates are a trails plan, water and sewer, student enrollment and schools, public safety, traffic and short-term rentals. During public comment, resident Didi Myers suggested limitations on video surveillance and LED lighting following the installation of said fixtures in Wayfarers State Park. BLUAC discussed adding a dark sky measure in the neighborhood plan.  

There is no set deadline for completion of the Bigfork Neighborhood Plan updates as committee members work to collect new data.