An important press release from the North Fork Land Use Advisory Committee . . .
After three years of work, the North Fork Land Use Advisory Committee (NFLUAC) recently completed the revised draft of the 1987 North Fork Neighborhood Plan. Under Montana state mandate, Flathead County adopted their new growth policy in March, 2007. The growth policy requires all existing neighborhood plans in Flathead County zoning districts to be reviewed for compliance with the newly adopted county growth policy. Although not a regulatory document, one of the important aspects of a neighborhood plan is that it establishes goals and policies that guide zoning regulations in a given zoning district.
The NFLUAC received assistance from the Flathead County Planning & Zoning Office in revising the neighborhood plan, and they conducted two public workshops at the North Fork community center, Sondreson Hall. In addition, the NFLUAC conducted public meetings which resulted in further landowner input for the revision. The final neighborhood plan draft was submitted to the County Planning & Zoning Office in November 2007. It should be posted on the county’s website as of December 3, and may be accessed at www.co.flathead.mt.us/fcpz/ (click on Draft Documents).
Prior to a public hearing before the Flathead County Planning Board, the Planning and Zoning Office will begin a 30-day public comment period beginning on December 6, 2007 and ending January 3, 2008. Any letters received will become part of the staff report of the Planning and Zoning Office which will be presented to the Planning Board. Letters received after the January 3 deadline, and up until the day of the Planning Board public hearing, will still be presented to the Planning Board, but will not be part of the staff report. Written comments regarding the revised draft Neighborhood Plan are encouraged by all landowners, as well as attendance at the Planning Board public hearing, if possible. Send all comments to Flathead County Planning and Zoning, 1035 First Avenue West, Kalispell, MT 59901, Attn. Andrew Hagemeier, or email him at ahagemeier@co.flathead.mt.us. Also note, if a landowner does not have access to the internet for a copy of the neighborhood plan draft, Mr. Hagemeier will send out a printed copy upon written request.
If the Planning Board recommends approval of the plan, it will be forwarded to the county commissioners. There will be no public comment accepted after the date of the planning board meeting or at the commissioners meeting. If approved by the commissioners, the final draft will be made available for a public protest period for 30 days following their decision.
Although the Planning Board public hearing date has not yet been scheduled, you can keep advised of the approval process for the neighborhood plan draft, as well as obtain updated information on the date, time and location of the Planning Board public hearing and the Commissioners' meeting, by checking the North Fork Landowners’ Association website: www.nflandowners.com. There will also be a link to the final draft plan on the NFLA website. You may also contact Andrew Hagemeier direct at 406-751-8210 to inquire about the date of the Planning Board hearing.
Jon Cole, Chairman NFLUAC