Flathead County commissioners approved a commercial marina permit extension for Discovery Land Company on April 9 after confirming it did not violate a stop-work order issued by Flathead County District Court.  

District Court Judge Dan Wilson halted construction of a 159-foot dock for a commercial marina in Lakeside amid litigation filed by Citizens for a Better Flathead. The case in Flathead County District Court challenges the county commissioners’ approval of the commercial marina permit on April 24, 2025, and a minor variance request to extend a dock beyond the 100-foot cap.  

Both applications were submitted by Discovery Land Company, an Arizona-based developer, under the name Flathead Lake Land Partners, LLC.  

The commercial marina permit includes plans to demolish an existing dock and construct three new docks at 688 Lakeside Blvd., according to the Flathead County Planning and Zoning Department. The marina will primarily benefit members of a forthcoming resort, Flathead Lake Club, also dubbed Territory 1889 on the company’s website.  

During public comment, Lakeside residents protested against the permit extension, arguing it failed to reflect developers’ actual plans for the marina.  

Jennifer Tipton, with the Upper Westshore Alliance, said the permit was “fundamentally incomplete.”  

“There’s a massive disconnect between what was authorized in this 2025 permit and what is actually being constructed under the recent variance,” Tipton said.  

Residents said the application lacks a site plan, proposed project drawings and an environmental impact statement. It also failed to reflect the stop-work court order and updated plans for additional boat slips and a concrete boat ramp, according to public comment.  

Mayre Flowers, with Citizens for a Better Flathead, said the extension was a “bait and switch” tactic to get around the stop work order.  

“The application is actually not seeking to renew the three-dock system approved,” Flowers said. “You’re being asked to use routine extension to bypass a court order.” 

Discovery Land Company asked commissioners to extend the commercial marina permit before it expired on April 24. Developers assured county officials that construction of the marina was “well underway” after a temporary delay during the property’s transfer of ownership, according to the application. 

A barge arrived on site on Feb. 16, within two weeks after the dock extension was approved, and construction began on Feb. 19, according to the application submitted on March 12. Developers said many of the steel pilings are in place, and steel pan decks are currently being installed.  

However, all work ceased after the stop-work order was issued.  

Planning Director Erik Mack assured county commissioners the extension just keeps the permit open, so developers may resume construction in the future.   

“They can’t continue with any work right now,” Mack said. "And this does not allow them to move forward.”   

Report for America reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at (406) 758-4439 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.