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Ronan council considers PAL Memory Care, gravel pit subdivision

BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 10 months, 3 weeks AGO
by BERL TISKUS
Reporter Berl Tiskus joined the Lake County Leader team in early March, and covers Ronan City Council, schools, ag and business. Berl grew up on a ranch in Wyoming and earned a degree in English education from MSU-Billings and a degree in elementary education from the University of Montana. Since moving to Polson three decades ago, she’s worked as a substitute teacher, a reporter for the Valley Journal and a secretary for Lake County Extension. Contact her at [email protected] or 406-883-4343. | January 15, 2025 11:00 PM

Keith Deaville, who owns PAL Memory Care in Ronan, Polson and St. Ignatius, approached the Ronan City Council at last Wednesday’s meeting to make them aware of two construction projects he has pending in Ronan.

He plans to build a 10-duplex project to offer space for assisted living to very independent PAL clients, as well as PAL staff, is located on Main Street SW, south of the hospital.

Deaville approached Dan Miller, Ronan’s director of public works, regarding reconfiguring a boundary line. The suggested boundary adjustment would make the road line up with a current road.

The council voted unanimously to approve the reconfiguration.

The other project is a three-story house at 220 8th Street that’s nearing completion. The building is roofed, framed and sheeted, and will provide housing for PAL clients and for some of PAL’s staff.

Deaville will need to come back to the council regarding zoning and a parking plan, according to Miller.

In other business, the council approved amending the city’s fiscal year 2023-24 budget.

Members also discussed land the city owns near the gravel pit, east of Ronan off of Legacy Lane. Council members Julie Moore, Larry Hall and Ellen Kaphammer have viewed the property on field trips with Miller.

Miller said subdividing and selling the lots would monetize property the city would never use and could kickstart plans to build a new Ronan City Hall. The structure would occupy three city lots on the corner of Main St. and Third Ave. SW that were gifted to the city by a former local businessman.

According to Miller, the city has budgeted for a Professional Architect Report that would help the project qualify for grant funding. The proposed sale of the lots east of town would help pay for the new building.

Mayor Chris Adler asked property committee members Lindsay Myers, Ryan Corum and Ellen Kaphammer to work with surveyor Mark Carstens to look at subdividing the lots.

The next council meeting is scheduled for next Wednesday, Jan. 22.


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