DRAFT – These minutes are not official until approved at the next regular Planning & Zoning Commission meeting.

City of Bigfork

Planning and Zoning Commission Special Meeting November 17, 2009 Bigfork City Council Chambers

Members Present: Chairman Gus David, Lonnie Kacon, Roger Logdahl, Ann McGarry, and Amy Tendrup Members Absent: None Also Present: Richard Salmi, Dan Odegaard, Leo Kern, Ken Westman, Public Works Superintendent Chuck Almhjeld, and City Clerk/Treasurer Mike McKinney

Chairman Gus David called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.

Bigfork Hospital Sewer and Water Request

Representatives from Bigfork Valley Hospital came to discuss their interest in developing a 40-acre parcel near the southwest corner of Division Avenue and County Highway 14, which would require connection of that parcel to City water and sewer service.

The Commission discussed several alternatives for providing water and sewer service to the property, including running water and sewer mains north along Division Avenue and west along County Highway 14 to the property and running water and sewer lines to the property from the point where they currently end on Division Avenue. Odegaard expressed interest in bringing water and sewer service along County Highway 14 since the cost of running service in from the current lines on Division Avenue would be very expensive.

Odegaard stated that the proposed development of the parcel would include two for-profit ventures, including manufacturing and claims processing. He believed that the current agricultural zoning of the property would allow for such activities. Salmi asked whether developing a property within the JOBZ Zone near the Rajala Mill would be possible given its proximity to existing water and sewer lines. Odegaard stated that the space limitations would make developing that parcel difficult if the operation were to expand in the future.

Odegaard discussed a potential expansion of the assisted living facility on the hospital campus in the City, which may include up to 30 additional units. He also expressed interest in expanding other facilities on the existing campus, which may include a pool, exercise facilities, and a cafeteria. Almhjeld noted that the City’s wastewater treatment facilities are near capacity. Logdahl stated that knowing how much water and sewer capacity was necessary for the next 10 years and beyond was critical. McGarry noted that the City would need assurances that the development was going forward before the City could commit funding to the project on Division Avenue and County Highway 14.

Motion to authorize SEH to begin work on a comprehensive plan to determine the water and sewer service needs for the City of Bigfork for a minimum of 10 years, including the developments proposed by representatives of Bigfork Valley Hospital, pending City Council approval, by Tendrup, seconded by Kacon, motion carried unanimously.

The Planning & Zoning Commission meeting was adjourned at 6:52 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 6 p.m.

Michael McKinney City Clerk/Treasurer