The Flathead County Planning Board has again decided to delay forwarding an ordinance required by the state two decades ago.

Montana counties were mandated by state law to pass new restrictions on residential development near airports by April 2006. Flathead County has yet to put such a law on the books.  

Planning staff spent two years drafting an ordinance that would bring the county and its sole commercial airport — Glacier Park International Airport — in line with state law. But the Planning Board on Wednesday voted for the third time to table the ordinance until December, further stalling the approval process. 

“We’re close,” board member Rocheal Gaston said. “There needs to be some clarity and peace of mind for residents.” 

The planning board forwards proposed zoning applications with their recommendation to county commissioners, who hold final approval. Board members decided on July 8 to hold a second public hearing over the ordinance in September, after it was revised based on feedback from the first public hearing on June 10.  

“What is before you tonight is not the ordinance that was originally proposed,” said Deputy Airport Director Ian McKay on Wednesday. “It is the result of several rounds of public input, discussion and compromise.”

He warned that failing to adopt the ordinance leaves the county and the airport vulnerable to litigation.  

“The county should definitely be concerned about that,” McKay said. “This has been a state requirement for 20 years.” 

Overall, the two-hour hearing on Sept. 16 showed increased public support for the modified restrictions. Many property owners who reside within the affected area expressed gratitude to planning staff and airport representatives for addressing their concerns.   

“The concessions that have been made, in my opinion, were very well handled,” said Kalispell resident Tony Bond. 

But a handful of attendees still opposed the new policy, arguing it added an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy. Some questioned whether density restrictions were needed under Federal Aviation Administration guidelines. 

“Property value has gone up,” said Columbia Falls resident Matthew Hohnberger. “We’re running out of space.” 

The board will address a new, modified version of the ordinance at their Dec. 9 meeting.  

TWO APPLICATIONS for subdivisions passed with the board’s unanimous support later that evening. 

One sought preliminary plat approval for a major subdivision at 2883 Lower Valley Road near Kalispell. Applicants Peter and Zachary Brosten propose building 16 residential lots on their 32.11-acre property, with one unit per 2 acres. The subdivision will be accessed via a 60-foot-wide private road off Danford Lane and served by individual septic systems and wells.  

Another application was for a minor subdivision at 1073 Mountain Home Road near Whitefish. The nearly 25-acre property is in an open space area owned by The Homestead Sporting Club, Inc., according to a staff report. Applicant Will McDonald proposed one residential lot on the property, which already contains a guard shack, pump house, mailboxes and an internal subdivision road.  

The residential lot will be 10.75 acres in size, with roads taking up an additional 4.21 acres, leaving about 10 acres of open space.  

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.