After voting to release the draft neighborhood plan, last Tuesday, the Lakeside Community Council reviewed and voted unanimously to approve a request for preliminary plat approval of the Flathead Vista subdivision, north of Lakeside.

The Lakeside Community Council met on April 28 for their regular meeting, during which Flathead County planner Diana Brody presented a brief proposal for the Flathead Vista subdivision.

Both the property included in the application and three adjacent lots remain under the ownership of Kevin Kaski of Duluth, Minn., while Jim Kaski is listed as the applicant for the proposed subdivision.

Kaski said the project will be a higher end subdivision, like others he has done in Thompson Falls. He said he will most likely build the houses himself.

The preliminary plat proposes the creation of five residential lots on 5.19 acres along the old Highway 93 frontage to the west of Marco Bay Road, between Somers and Lakeside. The lots range in size from one acre to 1.14 acres.

Brody noted that, because of a previous family transfer and dividing of the parcel, the project will be handled as a major subdivision.

Questions abounded concerning storm water runoff and one neighboring property owner noted a history of runoff issues in the area, particularly from the property in question. Brody assured the council that runoff calculations, as well as a conceptual storm water management plan had been submitted.

Neighbors pointed out that the property slopes down onto an unimproved roadway, which easily fills with water after heavy rains

The staff report concludes that "Alpine Vista Drive should be paved in its entirety, both the on and off site portion, because otherwise the road and bridge standards will not be met."

The Flathead County Planning Board will hold a public hearing for the project on Wednesday, May 13, in the Earl Bennett Building conference room at 1035 First Avenue West. The Planning Board will to review the proposal and make a recommendation to the Flathead County Commission.