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Planners recommend, commissioners approve preliminary plat for Nordic Way 2 subdivision near Libby
Summary
Consulting planner Kristen Smith presented Nordic Way 2, a proposed 17-lot subdivision on about 45 acres south of town; planning staff and the planning board recommended preliminary approval with conditions including water proving for roughly 13 lots, road construction to county standards, and DEQ review for wells and wastewater. Commissioners voted to approve the preliminary plat with conditions.
Lincoln County planning staff presented the Nordic Way 2 preliminary plat during the June 9, 2025 meeting, recommending approval subject to conditions after review by the planning board.
Kristen Smith, the county’s consulting planner, told commissioners the project is a major subdivision creating 17 lots ranging from about 2 to 4 acres on roughly 45 acres south of town adjacent to the golf course and public lands. Smith said the planning board recommended preliminary approval with 19 conditions and that developers had dedicated trail parking and easement areas as part of a larger area trail plan.
Key technical findings in Smith’s presentation: the soils are not considered prime farmland; existing county roads (Granite Lake Road and Snowshoe) will serve the subdivision and no major road improvements are expected; utilities such as Flathead Electric will be extended; the site is in the Libby Air Quality District; the site has been treated to reduce wildfire risk and was rated low in the county evaluator’s fire-risk review; and there is no surface water. Smith said DNRC’s appropriation guidance changed the practical water-proving expectations, and that owners will likely have to drill wells to prove water availability for about 13 of the proposed lots, though the final lot count could change depending on drilling results. DEQ review will be required for water and wastewater systems.
Planning staff noted conditions that include PE certification for the new road, Flathead Electric approval for utility plans, weed treatment, and that water rights/approvals from DNRC (and documentation thereof) will be required for the wells referenced in the staff conditions.
After brief questions and no substantial public opposition, a commissioner moved and seconded approval of the preliminary plat as conditioned; the board voted in favor.
Why it matters: The preliminary approval allows the developers to proceed toward final plat steps with conditions intended to protect water resources, wildfire safety and road standards; water proving may reduce the number of buildable lots depending on well results.
Next steps: Developers must satisfy the 19 conditions noted by staff, provide DNRC documentation on water rights/proving, secure any necessary DEQ approvals for individual lot water/wastewater systems, and return for final-plat approval.
