The Daily Inter Lake

Flathead County commissioners on Wednesday approved a new 2.5-acre zoning designation, giving property owners one more option for developing county land.

The new zone is designed to work in transition areas between high-density residential zones and low-density suburban agricultural areas. Until now there was no zoning option between one- and five-acre lots.

No one spoke for or against the 2.5-acre proposal at a public hearing, but Commissioner Dale Lauman voiced his support.

"I think it's a good change," Lauman said. "Over the years we've developed five-acre lots" that typically include a half acre for the home and outbuildings and "four and a half acres of knapweed. I think this will benefit our county."

Commissioner Joe Brenneman voted for the proposal, but not before language was added stipulating that required infrastructure be in place - including paved roads - in areas where the 2.5-acre zoning will be used.

"I won't be part of facilitating further development without dust mitigation," Brenneman said.

He also said he doesn't want the new zoning cropping up as spot zoning in areas zoned for five-acre suburban agriculture.

Flathead County Assistant Planning Director B.J. Grieve said language in the new zoning description states that it must be geared to transitional areas and not areas of lesser density.

Neighborhood plans will serve as the foundation and tool for using the new zoning category.