Questions raised at subdivision hearing

By GWEN ALBERS Western News Reporter

There were a lot of questions, but not much opposition during a Thursday public hearing for a proposed 548-acre housing development in the Bull Lake area.

Plum Creek Land Co. would like to divide the property 20 miles south of Troy into 25 lots ranging from 20 to 28 acres. The entrance for the proposed Noggle Creek subdivision would be on Montana Highway 56 across from Bull Lake Rod & Gun Club.

The proposed development is south of 1,000 acres Plum Creek sold a few years ago to Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks.

Before development can begin, Plum Creek needs subdivision approval from Lincoln and Sanders County commissioners, since the property lies in both counties.

Some of the 40 people attending were concerned for continued access to the forest lands that border the development. They wanted to know whether private roads within the development would provide that access. The answer was "no."

"They will be private roads," said Lincoln County planning director Mary Klinkam.

A concern also was expressed about whether or not the green bins for residential trash at the Halfway House bar would be adequate.

"We asked the developer to work with environmental health for a new site with a minimum of one acre," Klinkam said. "It will be fenced and bear-proofed (and built) so the county disposal trucks can get in there."

There was also a mention about increased traffic now that Bull Lake residents are attempting to reduce the 70 mph speed limit on a portion of Highway 56.

Several residents in September asked county commissioners to have the state do a traffic study from the county line at the south end of the lake to Dorr Skeels Campground at the north end.

The speed limit is 70 mph except for a short 55-mph stretch around the Halfway House. The group is hoping for a speed limit of 55 mph along the length of the lake, where traffic can be especially congested in the summer.

The Montana Department of Transportation plans to do a traffic study this summer along Highway 56.

Both boards of commissioners were scheduled to attend the hearing, but a snafu in the required notice advertising the meeting will require Sanders County to have a separate hearing, Klinkam said.

Sanders County commissioners will hold their hearing at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, at the county building in Thompson Falls.

Lincoln County commissioners on Wednesday, Feb. 28, are expected to vote on their portion of the subdivision.

If approved, construction of roads and other infrastructure would begin this summer. That could take six months to complete.

The development will be limited to single-family homes with a minimum 1,200 square feet of living area. Fences for gardens would be allowed, however, perimeter fencing would not.