Page 8 - Flathead Beacon // 1.22.13

8 | JANUARY 29, 2014 NEWS FLATHEADBEACON.COM

Annual Planning Report Shows Workload Increases

Just
Sayin’.

Planning oice expects

increases in 2014 and

“If Walsh is chosen the future
then, you know, I’m
running against
By MOLLY PRIDDY of the Beacon
an incumbent and
an incumbent has The Flathead County Planning and
such an incredible Zoning oice released its activity and
workload report for 2013, and noted that
ability to raise the valley should be prepared for a return
money.”
of growth and development as the econo-

Former Lt. Gov. John my continues to rebound and more people
Bohlinger on whether across the country reach retirement age.
he’ll withdraw from the Development is cyclical, the report
Senate race if fellow states, and even though the county is
Democrat and current making its way through a bust phase of the
Lt. Gov. John Walsh is boom-and-bust pattern, the Flathead still
tapped as the interim has many of the attributes that initially
appointment to Sen. Max drew people here during high-activity pe-
Baucus’ seat.
riods.
“During the process of developing the
“Those companies Flathead County Growth Policy in 2006,
are being forced residents cited abundant, clean water,
beautiful views, recreation opportunities,
to deliver their personal freedoms, friendly people, mini-
product by rail mal traic and an afordable cost of living
because they don’t
as just a few of the things they loved about
have the pipelines.”
the Flathead,” the report stated.
Aerial image of Kidsports Complex in Kalispell courtesy of the Flathead County Interactive Mapping Site, via
Since those attributes are still a mag- the Flathead County Planning and Zoning oice. COURTESY PHOTO
Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D, net, the report noted that growth should percent increase over 2012 – with a total of The planning oice also contributed
on how the years-long be expected for 2014 and the future. The 63 lots and 56 RV spaces. There were eight money, along with other agencies, for an
review of the Keystone report referenced U.S. Census igures on projects totaling 40 lots that received inal updated aerial map of the valley and get-
XL pipeline has forced the county’s aging population – expected plat approval.
ting it online.
companies to increasingly to add 7,729 seniors between 2010 and The planning oice also devoted more The report also noted that there has
use trains to move crude
oil.
2020, increasing the number of residents energy to investigating code complaints, been over $1 million allocated to Flathead
ages 65 and older from 13,223 to 20,952 – creating a code compliance technician County in Community Transportation
and said the county should expect more position in 2012. Before the position was Enhancement Program (CTEP) funds,
“It just wasn’t retirees.
created, there was a backlog of complaints and there are currently two bicycle/pe-
a good it. He Nearly every workload category in- dating back to 2003.
destrian paths being designed for con-
was under his creased at the FCPZ oice in 2013. The Last year, the backlog was inally struction sometime in 2014 – the Black-
oice received 255 land use applications cleared. The oice received and investi- tail Road Trail and the Swan River Road
probationary or violation complaints, a 30 percent in- gated 25 zoning complaints in 2013, along
period, but things Trail. As of the end of 2013, $40,000 had
weren’t working crease over the previous year, and daily with 11 lake and lakeshore complaints, 25 been spent on the planning for these two
phone inquiries to the oice increased 16 community decay complaints and eight projects.
out the way they percent over 2012, to a total of 5,795, or loodplain violation complaints.
A third path, the Gateway to Glacier
should.”
roughly 23 calls per workday.
Floodplain permit applications in Trail is still in the administrative stage.
In 2013, the oice collected $93,143.43 2013 went back to the same levels as 2009, All three projects will result in $1.5 mil-
Ronan Mayor Kim in fees, which is a 35 percent increase over the report stated – at 27.
lion in federal funds.
Aipperspach after the city 2012’s fee collection. The 2013 fee sched- Considerable administrative workload For a copy of the 2013 annual report,
council ired Ronan Police
Valent Maxwell after less ule included buildings for lease or rent re- at the planning oice was directed toward visit the Flathead County Planning and
than three months on the view, as well as review or re-review of an updating the loodplain maps and assist- Zoning oice or www.lathead.mt.gov/
job.
expired preliminary plat.
ing the Flathead County Planning Board planning_zoning/downloads.php.
As for subdivisions, there were nine with its update process for the Flathead [email protected]
preliminary plats approved in 2013 – a 33
County Zoning Regulations.
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