North Fork Planning To Reach County Commissioners
from the Summer 2002 NFPA Newsletter
North Forkers will finally have a chance to get zoning passed by the County Commissioners. Despite the negative recommendation of the Flathead County Planning Board, commissioners can exercise their judgment based on the specifics of the proposed plan and pass this proposal on its own merit. The political climate is good for passage because of the results of the June primary elections. Expressions of landowner support have more effect now than ever before. Land owners should write letters and attend the hearing. Call the County Planning Office at (406) 758-5965 for the time and place of the hearing, which is expected to be in mid-July.
Zoning on the North Fork was once again delayed on May 8th. The Flathead County Planning Board tabled the proposed zoning amendments rather than forward them with a recommendation to adopt or not adopt. Without a recommendation from the Planning Board, the County Commissioners apparently cannot act. The North Fork zoning amendment was then the topic of a special Planning Board meeting on June 19th at which testimony could not be given.
Instead of tabling the
proposed zoning as expected and possibly usurping the prerogative of the
County Commissioners for the third time, the Planning Board voted 5 to 4
to forward a negative recommendation to the Flathead County Commissioners.
This finally allows North Forkers to have their "day in court."
With the defeat of Commissioner Dale Williams in June's Republican primary
by Gary Hall, prospects for planning are brighter. Hall is more supportive
of planning than Williams and Democratic candidate Karen Reeves is a
strong zoning advocate. About half the Planning Board will by chosen after
the new year.
Despite well-organized efforts by the opposition, spearheaded by an out-of-state developer, letters ran 2 to 1 in favor of the proposed zoning amendments. Public input has been profuse. The proposed zoning regulations are less restrictive than those presented in August and less restrictive than zoning regulations in much of Flathead County. Note that accessory buildings are allowed in the proposed regulations, despite misinformation to the contrary.
The hearings with the County Commissioners are expected to be held in mid-July. Landowners should send letters of support to Howard Gipe, Chairman, Flathead County Commissioners, 800 South Main Street, Kalispell, MT 59901. The proposed regulations are on the web at the NFPA web site (www.gravel.org).
For questions about the proposed zoning amendments, contact the Flathead County Planning Office and talk to Forrest Sanderson at 406-758-5965.
The Flathead County Planning Board has delayed the zoning efforts for nearly a year. Because of letters to the editor -- especially one by Pat Cole, Secretary of the North Fork Land Use Planning Committee -- newspaper articles and a critical editorial, the Flathead County Planning Board has acquired a negative image among Flathead Valley residents. The Planning Board seems to be making predetermined decisions rather than basing them on testimony received at hearings and is largely ignoring the advice of the County Planning staff. Under these circumstances, the recommendation of the County Planning Board should not be binding on the County Commissioners.
Now is the time for landowners to reassert control over the situation by writing to the County Commissioners and letting their voice be heard.
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Last update: 23 June
2002 Hosting and support by |
