County board approves Bigfork tavern
A map shows the site of a tavern proposed off of Montana 35 in Bigfork.
The Flathead County Board of Adjustment has approved a new tavern for the former Stonehill Restaurant on Montana 35.
The board gave its OK for the tavern on April 1 in a unanimous vote.
Mark Campbell requested a conditional use permit for the tavern at 7951 Montana 35 in Bigfork. The property at roughly 1 acre is zoned B-2 General Business.
“This seems pretty straight forward,” board member Roger Noble said.
The board clarified two conditions as part of its approval — one that the business would install a privacy chain link fence on the north and east sides of the property boundaries and that the hours of operation would be limited to between 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The fence was particularly important to the board as members noted that adjacent properties are residential.
The property contains one building that was previously a restaurant. The building includes a dining area, kitchen/bakery, breakroom, laundry room, mechanical room, restroom and several storage rooms, according to documents. A garage and patio are also on the property.
The tavern is planned to have 48 seats and eight employees on a maximum shift. There are more than 30 parking spaces.
Access to the property is by a private road from Montana 35. An updated approach permit form the Montana Department of Transportation would be required for the tavern, according to the county planning staff report.
The building is connected to Bigfork water and sewer.