By Patty Johnson, Stevensville
Does this seem like a similar letter you read last week? That is because it was intended that way. I feel it is imperative that every person in the Stevensville and outlying areas have an opportunity to read exactly what the new Proposed Burnt Fork Estates subdivision consists of. The proposal is to build 78 single family homes, 43 multi-family units and have 16 commercial lots all on a 57.68 parcel of land. This new proposed subdivision, though it abuts Creekside Meadows subdivision, has nothing to do with it. When the Ellisons developed Creekside Meadows, they planned for a final phase on the same parcel of land. I am unsure why the Ellisons did not follow through on their final phase; possibly high-water table, etc. However, those plans were not developed, and all permits were void.
This new developer started over and submitted new plans which do not have the same covenants as Creekside Meadows. Creekside’s covenants have a limit on the height of your roof, so it does not destroy the view of the mountains for others. Burnt Fork Estates does not have that kind of requirement. They want to tie into streets coming into Creekside Drive and going out onto Logan Lane, instead of having their own access. They are applying for a second approach onto Logan Lane. Can you imagine the amount of traffic this would create?
As far as the 16 commercial lots, what is wrong with supporting our local shops that are already on Main street? We are blessed to live in historic Stevensville and are proud of its heritage; we do not want to see it become a second Missoula. If this development goes through we can all expect our taxes to go up, schools impacted and possibly another school levy.
This is not a small potatoes subdivision. Please go to the town website and review the 122-page application submitted for Burnt Fork Estates. We are not in California. John Kellogg, who works for PCI and represents the developer and submitted the application to the Town, also wears a second hat. He is the Chair of the Stevensville Planning and Zoning Board. John needs to recuse himself from this vote. I trust our Mayor and Town Council members will listen carefully to their constituents.