Blanchard Creek property discussions continue

POTOMAC – The discussion between the Greenough-Potomac Fire Board and Developer John Richards regarding the Blanchard Creek property continued at the Board’s monthly meeting April 5. While the parties felt they need to pursue renegotiations or sale of the land, no amounts were floated and they wanted the attorneys’ input before moving forward.

The Board and Richards signed the original agreement Sept. 4, 2007. The agreement stated that the Department would exchange their property on Sperry Grade for a one-and-a-half-acre lot within the Clearwater Meadows Ranch subdivision, off Highway 200 on Blanchard Creek. In 2008 they signed a Warranty Deed stating that the property could only be used to construct a fire department facility or related structure.

At their March 2022 meeting, the Board and Richards discussed renegotiating the terms of the Warranty Deed or entertaining an offer from Richards to repurchase the property from the Department. These two options were based on the Board’s conclusion that not only does the Department not have the available capital or means to levy funds to invest in a new facility, they cannot justify the need with another station four miles down the road at Roundup. The Board felt to invest in infrastructure without a long-term plan for the structure, what it will be and where it will go is not fiscally responsible to the taxpayers.

Richards reiterated that the original intent for the land trade was for the Department to build a station. Not only would this benefit the Department but it would remove the need for sprinklers in the homes or cisterns installed in the subdivision.

Richards said he spent $20,000 for the tanks for the Department to install. With the land trade of roughly equal value, this put him in the red. The tanks were inspected and approved by the Department but were never installed. He has also installed power for the subdivision to the lot that the department could easily access.

“If there is a station built, I’m fine with it. If there is not a station built, we need to renew the agreement, whatever that looks like,” Richards said. “The agreement still stands the way it is now. If the County Attorney thinks it is not, then I guess we need to go to the next step but I would rather figure it out with you guys. Right now I don’t know what the status is moving forward [regarding the need for sprinklers or cisterns if a fire station is not built]. That makes a huge difference to the cost of the subdivison. If it is $15,000 a lot and there are 20 lots that is $300,000 difference. There are some big numbers negative going forward if the station is not there. I want to figure out what works for everybody.”

Chair Scott Gordon said the agreement states that the Department needed to install the tanks, power, well and a dry hydrant on Blanchard Creek with access and easement. There was the idea that within two years of 10 properties being built in the subdivision, the station would be built.

“I’m not sure if any of those things are feasible until we have a need for the station,” Gordon said.

At the March meeting, Richards said Missoula County’s subdivision approval is not contingent on building a fire station.

Gordon proposed the renegotiations could include removing the responsibilities to install that infrastructure. That would alleviate the responsibility from Richards and there would not be a timeline for the station to be built. If and when the Department decided to build the station, then the responsibilities of installing the infrastructure would fall on the Department. He added having dry hydrant access for the Department on Blanchard Creek is something they would like to continue discussing.

Richards said he probably would only be willing to remove the deed restriction if he gets the land back. He said the Missoula County Attorney in 2008 was the one who recommended and wrote in the deed restriction. Richards said he had the documentation that if the station was not built, the land would revert back to him.

“I think that is maybe the easiest solution for everybody,” Richards said. “At this point some money could change hands but I don’t know an amount. Some of it is going to depend on when and if sprinklers and cisterns are required.”

In 2008, the property was valued around $20,000. Soon after the exchange, Richards sold his property on Sperry Grade. When asked what he sold it for, he said he did not remember the selling price. The current asking price for lots in the Blanchard Creek subdivision are $75,000-$90,000.

Gordon said state law mandates they get close to fair market value for the property. If they considered a buy-back, then they would need to negotiate. Gordon added this is a little different situation because of the land trade in the past and the current deed restriction on the property.

Gordon recommended Richards and the Board each come up with a value for the property. They both agreed they wanted the attorneys to discuss the possibility of selling the land back before they discussed anything further. Once they hear back from them, hopefully, they can begin moving forward.

Richards agreed he could return for another meeting once the attorneys had met and provide more guidance to the discussion.

In other business, the Board agreed to hold their annual Volunteer Appreciation Event May 22. They will continue to work out the logistics of the event and be in touch with their volunteers.

Fire Chief Ryan Hall reported last month they held Stop the Bleed and Active Shooter training and will be holding their Wildland Refresher next week. This will be the first year it will be held online.

Hall said they are fairly dry. While the snow April 5 helped, it did not reach the entire Potomac valley. He said they typically have their first wildland fire call at the beginning of April. They have not had one yet this spring.

The next meeting is scheduled for May 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Station 1 on Potomac Road. The agenda includes the annual budget review.