An effort to update the 1997 Ashley Lake Neighborhood Plan is well under way.

Dick Ramos, secretary and acting chairman of the Ashley Lake Land Use Advisory Committee, told the Flathead County commissioners on Thursday that the process of updating the plan to make it compliant with the county growth policy began a year ago.

Informational meetings have been held and a survey was sent out in summer 2008. The neighborhood now is ready to move forward and actively update the plan, said Andrew Hagemeier, the county planner assisting the Ashley Lake group.

In addition to updating existing conditions as they relate to the lake, land use and residential construction, the update will document economic conditions and identify issues and opportunities.

Demographics could be difficult to quantify, according to an action plan for the update. Septic permits and tax records could establish existing conditions, or septic permits over time could be used to determine the growth rate, the report indicates.

Ron Buentemeier of Whitefish, who owns property at Ashley Lake, encouraged county officials to make sure proper notification is given to landowners.

He also told the commissioners there “appears to be some folks who want to do more regulatory things with septic systems,” and advised the county to get legal advice before venturing into more regulation. Otherwise, he said, the results could be “disastrous.”

THE ASHLEY Lake plan was controversial 12 years ago when the zoning district was put in place. Supporters said controls were needed to save the character and water quality of the lake; opponents said zoning would quash plans to divide their lots among their children and raise property prices on one of the last affordable lakes in the Flathead.

The innovative zoning set an average density of five acres per lot along the lakeshore, and 10 acres away from the lake. Individual lots can be smaller as long as they are balanced by open space.

As the update progresses, Ashley Lake property owners will consider the need for future land-use categories. The original neighborhood plan designated only two land uses — lakeshore and lake view.

The plan area encompasses about 250 property owners, 30 of whom live at Ashley Lake year-round.

“Because of the seasonal nature of the Ashley Lake neighborhood, it is critical certain discussions occur when the majority of landowners are around,” the action plan advises.

Commissioner Jim Dupont stressed the need to make sure all property owners are notified. Ramos assured the commissioners every effort is being made to include everyone.

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