Clearwater Meadows Ranch Residential Subdivision

Missoula County commissioners approved this subdivision at their July 7, 2022, public meeting.

The Clearwater Meadows Ranch subdivision is a proposed 199-acre, 20-lot residential major subdivision in Missoula County, located off Highway 200 near the Blanchard Creek Road intersection, west of Clearwater Junction. There are currently multiple existing mobile homes on the property that will be moved prior to subdivision. Lots 1-11 will be accessed via a proposed internal road connecting Blanchard Creek to Camp Utmost. Lots 12-20 will be accessed via Blanchard Creek Road.

For this subdivision submittal, the applicant of this development requests one variance from the MissoulaContinue reading

Missoula County commissioners approved this subdivision at their July 7, 2022, public meeting.

For this subdivision submittal, the applicant of this development requests one variance from the Missoula County Subdivision Regulations in Section 3.4.9.2.B.1 related to the requirement for non-motorized facilities along subdivision roadways. Non-motorized facilities include infrastructure such as sidewalks and pathways.
There are slopes over 25% throughout the property that have been deemed stable in a geotechnical report, and there will be proposed drainfields. Any buildings proposed on slopes over 25%, drainfield locations and home building sites will be addressed during the building and septic permitting processes.
This property is unzoned and located within the 2010 Seeley Lake Regional Plan, with a designation of “Very Low Density Rural Residential,” which must adhere to one dwelling unit per 10 acres. The units in this subdivision are proposed at one dwelling unit per 9.96 acres.

Aerial image of outline of Clearwater Meadows Ranch Subdivision

Let us know what you think about this subdivision!

Let us know if there are specific aspects of this subdivision that concern you, interests you or that you would like to know more about.

The planning board held a public hearing on this proposal Tuesday, June 7.

The commissioners will hold a public hearing on this proposal at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 7, in hybrid fashion. Show up in-person to the Sophie Moiese Room of the Missoula County Courthouse Annex at 200 W. Broadway, or tune in via Microsoft Teams. Find the Teams link at http://missoula.co/bccmeetings. Commissioners will take comments on this proposal all the way up until their decision.

Missoula County commissioners approved this subdivision at their July 7, 2022, public meeting.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

I would request the Commissioners take a hard look at the recommendations of the Planning Board to eliminate Lot 20 especially, as well as the 'no build zones'. Many have worked long and hard to protect our wildlands and it would be a shame to start down the road of destruction of any part of it. The increase in Grizzly activity to the area in the last few years would also be a concern in adding the additional residences to the particular area. Perhaps a more recent study of the issue would be helpful. If it is the thought that the area can handle 20 residences and stlll be able to mitigate wildlife issues, that may be true. However, we should also look to the future. Will this remain at 20 lots? Or will lots be approved for division at some point? An example would be the lots on Highway 83, against the Game Range. There were 20 acre lots that have now become 10 acre lots, increasing the human/wildlife interaction.

To address the comments made about the need for housing, I cannot disagree. We have a great need for housing of local workers. However, I do not believe these lots would be ones attainable by the workers that are desperately needed at area businesses (excluding Paws Up, who have already bought up so many of the rental/motel options available). In my opinion, the lots will become housing for more out of state residents moving here, who perform remote work for companies in other states, those who are retired, or perhaps Paws Up will need even more land and housing. Therefore, I would hope the Commissioners would not use this as a decision-making factor.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

DMT over 2 years ago

To address the comments made about the need for housing, I cannot disagree.  We have a great need for housing of local workers.  However, I do not believe these lots would be ones attainable by the workers that are desperately needed at area businesses (excluding Paws Up, who have already bought up so many of the rental/motel options available).  In my opinion, the lots will become housing for more out of state residents moving here, who perform remote work for companies in other states, those who are retired, or perhaps Paws Up will need even more land and housing.  Therefore, I would hope the Commissioners would not use this as a decision-making factor.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Housing for Paws Up employees? Horrible idea! Never mind the Elk herds.

KBH over 2 years ago