County seeks volunteers for planning-related boards

Lake County is currently seeking volunteers to serve on four planning-related boards, either in person or via Zoom. Positions begin on Jan. 1, although positions remain open until filled.

Lake County Planning Board: This board advises the Lake County Commissioners on planning issues. The board regularly meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Lake County Courthouse to review and make recommendations on subdivision proposals and to work on long-range planning documents. Volunteers must reside in an area over which the board has jurisdiction.

Polson City-County Planning Board: Lake County seeks a representative to serve on the board, who resides with the county portion of the city-county planning area. The board, which meets at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the Polson City Hall, advises the city and county on planning issues, including subdivisions, special-use permits and zoning regulations.

Lake County Board of Adjustment: Applicants from all parts of the county are encouraged to apply to serve as alternate members of this board, which typically meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 3:30 p.m. at the courthouse. Members of this board hear and decide on zoning-related issues such as conditional uses, variances and appeals, and work closely with the planning department staff to interpret and apply zoning regulations for the citizens of Lake County.

Planning and Zoning Commission: This commission is comprised of a mix of citizen volunteers and county officials who have the authority to respond to development applications in the Kings Point, Melita Island/Labella Lane, and South of Ronan zoning districts. Meetings are scheduled when there are items for consideration. Citizen member volunteers must be residents from one of the three zoning districts involved; the county is currently seeking members from Melita Island/Labella Lane or South of Ronan zoning districts.

Application forms are available at online at www.lakemt.gov/263/Planning-Department or by contacting the Lake County Planning Department, 406-883-7235 or planning@lakemt.gov.