The Housing Committee of the Bonner Milltown Community Council met on May 7, 2007.  Attending were Bruce Giffin, Steve Adler, Patience Woodill, Doug Ardiana, Senta Sandberg, Bruce Hall, Ken Peers, Paul Layton, Peggy Layton, and Gary Matson.  The Committee is co-chaired by Bruce Giffin and Doug Ardiana.  Members unable to attend the May meeting are Ginny Woods, Jeannette Slate, Jeffrey Patterson, Kienan Slate, Lavonne Otto, Mike Mosely, and Toby Dumont.  Meetings of the Committee are public, and everyone is welcome to attend.

The goals of the Housing Committee are:

1. Identify types of residences that are the best fit with quality of life goals expressed by local residents

2. Estimate potential number of new residential housing units in School District within next 5 years

3. Report findings to Community Council

Clark Fork Terrace developments

New Business for the May 7 meeting was a discussion of housing development within the School District, which is either planned or potential within larger land tracts.  Gary Matson presented information about the Clark Fork Terrace developments located east of Deer Creek Road, north of the railroad tracks, and adjacent to the Clark Fork River.  Bob Brugh is the developer; site engineering is being done by Nick Kaufman, of WGM Group.

Development of the Clark Fork Terrace properties is currently on hold, pending expected improvements in the economy and the resolution of other issues.  A total of 71 lots are available in the developments, with lot prices ranging from $82,500 to $295,000.

Clark Fork Terrace development consultant Nick Kaufman was unable to attend the meeting, but provided interesting demographic information that we briefly discussed.  Although analysis of demographic trends are beyond the reach of the Housing Committee, some level of understanding is helpful in evaluating expectations for our community.  The trend towards greater life expectancy, for example, has an influence on residential makeup.  The greater typical age of a community resident goes along with fewer school children living in each residence, lowering the number of students expected from a development compared to past years.

Concepts for West Log Yard

Gary Matson showed a slide of the West Log Yard, which was a chart in which he had sketched in his own ideas of what development could occur at the site.  These ideas were only that, and aimed at encouraging others to give theirs.  The Committee hopes to reach a consensus of an appropriate development and pass that along to the Community Council in a recommendation.  The community enjoys the participation of developer Scott Cooney in the process of evaluating residential possibilities.  Patience Woodill is Scott’s business associate, and faithfully attends and participates in meetings of the Council and its Committees.

A good discussion about ideas for West Log Yard development was enjoyed by Committee members.  Gary’s ideas included small residential lots mirroring current ones in the adjoining West Riverside properties.  He has also included an apartment, condominium, medical facility, retirement living commercial properties, and open space.  The Planning Roundtable held earlier this year found community preferences that excluded “row housing” and apartments.  Herein lies a problem:  Without allowing small lots, how does our community help facilitate properties that can be afforded by our young people just starting family life?  If small lots are included, can they be arranged within the property to achieve an overall attractive appearance that reflects our community’s traditional architecture (e.g. the Bonner housing along Hwy 200)?

Participation of Committee members and residents is welcome.  Interested? 

A citizen's concept of what a development in the West Log Yard might look like. What's your idea?

Blank Chart

You can use the accompanying chart to sketch in your ideas.  Send the chart to Gary Matson, PO Box 308, Milltown  MT  59851 and it can be considered at the next Housing Committee meeting. Or better yet, bring it to the meeting!

Canyon River development

The final discussion of the evening’s meeting concerned the Canyon River development.  Engineering consultant Jason Rice, of Territorial Landworks, was kind enough to attend our meeting and talk about progress at the development.  The rate of development has been slowed by the economy, but is expected to pick up again when there is a rebound.  Fifty Eight homes have been built to date, and 7 students from Canyon River attend Bonner School.  A total of 270 homes will be built, and completion is expected to be by the year 2017.  Among the interesting things we discussed was the golf course, which is managed independently from the housing development.  There is a broad consensus among golfers that the course is one of the best in the region.  Its popularity and prosperity are expected to continue.

Jason also talked about a large, developable tract just west of the Clark Fork Terrace developments.  It’s been estimated that a development could include 66 lots.  There have been rumors that a developer has plans for the site, but none are public knowledge.

Next meeting: you're invited

As always, much is happening in our once-quiet Milltown/Bonner neighborhoods.  Stay tuned… and, if you’re interested, attend the next Housing Committee meeting June 4th at Bonner School, 7PM (either in the Library or the Community Room).