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Commission Signs Amended North Shore Settlement

By Beacon Staff

Flathead County agreed to a second amendment in the settlement with the developers of the North Shore Subdivision near Somers, alleviating the county’s responsibility to build infrastructure on the property.

The amendment is the result of a lawsuit settlement between the county and the subdivision’s developers, Kleinhans Farm Estates, LLC. In 2008, the county commission voted 2-1 to reject the 367-acre subdivision plan over flooding and seismic activity concerns, as well as the development’s proximity to the Flathead Waterfowl Production Area.

The developers sued the county after the commissioners’ denial.

In first settlement, the county agreed to pay $600,000 for 150 acres of public access on the property. The developers would also receive $400,000 in remuneration and the county would pay for the development’s road system and turning lanes from Montana Highway 83.

In the amended settlement, the county agreed to pay a lump sum of $2.1 million instead of paying for the construction of the subdivision’s internal road network as previously decided.

Other changes include decreasing a lump sum payment due on Feb. 1, 2012 from $250,000 to $125,000 and dropping the remuneration amount from $400,000 to $275,000.

Commissioners Jim Dupont, Dale Lauman and Pam Holmquist voted unanimously on Aug. 2 to accept the new terms.