Flathead County commissioners approve preliminary plat for 1,700-acre Flathead Lake Club with conditions

Flathead County commissioners on July 21 approved a preliminary plat for the 1,700-acre Flathead Lake Club subdivision that would create 359 single-family residential lots, seven commercial and amenity parcels and roughly 864 acres of designated open space.

The vote followed a lengthy public‑comment period and staff presentation that highlighted agency reviews, environmental findings and phasing requirements. Aaron Appert of the county Planning and Zoning office told commissioners the application includes on‑site water and wastewater systems to be constructed by the developer and turned over to the Lakeside County Water and Sewer District when each phase is completed; the district has capacity for the proposed first phase (about 100 equivalent dwelling units), Appert said.

"This is not a final plat; the next step is 33 conditions that must be met before it can go to final plat," the chair said during discussion, stressing that approval moves the project only to the next review stage. The commission’s approval included amended findings and conditions that require an approved riparian resource management plan, vegetative buffers consistent with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks recommendations, state DEQ review of water and wastewater facilities before final plat, and a requirement that the applicant show legal authority to…