Residents say yes to zoning

By Erin Nicholes - 08/28/2008

ANACONDA — Development regulations are necessary to protect Georgetown Lake's water quality, wildlife habitat and ambience, residents said Tuesday.

"That's one thing I'd prefer not to see: that (Georgetown) turns into a West Yellowstone or a tourist destination, and maintains it rural character," said Dan Olsen, a lake-area property owner.

Dozens of residents attended a Granite County Planning Board meeting Tuesday at the lake intended to gauge support for zoning at Georgetown. The Deer Lodge-Granite county line divides the lake; the former has zoning, the latter does not.

"The purpose of a zoning district is not to tell someone they can't develop their property," said Bob Horne, a professional planner hired by the Georgetown Lake Homeowners' Association. "The purpose is to set some standards." Residents voiced support for regulations aimed at protecting the lake's water for fishing, irrigation and recreation, while preserving open space and maintaining a rural atmosphere.

"I'm concerned about the quality of lighting, so we don't ruin the stars and we don't see lights everywhere," said homeowner Diana Neely.

Georgetown is at an advantage because other communities, such as densely developed Flathead Lake, have demonstrated the effects of a lack of zoning, Horne said.

But "any kind of land development regulation we want to think about has to be for Georgetown Lake and meet the needs of the people at Georgetown Lake," he said.

The homeowners' association hired Horne to assist a grassroots effort to zone Granite County's side of Georgetown. The county's growth-policy mandates citizen-initiated zoning rather than government-driven regulations.

But some at the meeting remained skeptical that the county would take residents' concerns seriously.

"I've watched these people for a lot of years, and I have not seen them do anything to help the people up here," said resident Gordon Tracy.

But the commission has been bound by growth policy restrictions, and has genuine concern for Georgetown, Planning Director Linda Bouck said.

Commissioners are now considering an interim emergency zoning district at the lake in response to recent public input and official concerns about water quality threats, she said.

"It would put regulations in place for two years until they could amend the growth policy and get regulations in place permanently," she said. "They're willing to do this because the people have asked for it." It's a suitable short-term fix, but long-term zoning is necessary to protect the lake, residents said.

"I'd like to see some sort of adherence to a comprehensive fire protection standard system" in a zoning ordinance, said Jeff Brock, of the lake's volunteer fire department.

Others urged creation of neighborhood committees to generate rules appropriate to different areas at the lake.

"The issues at Echo Lake would probably be different that what's at Georgetown," Olsen said, noting while many Echo Lake cabins are on leased U.S. Forest Service ground, owners are still required to meet county zoning rules.

Horne said he will synthesize the meeting results and ultimately forward them to the commission, which could take up to three months.

Reporter Erin Nicholes may be reached at erin.nicholes@lee.net.