RV Park gets nod from planning board

The Missoula Consolidated Planning Board approved the application for the Lazy Acres RV Park planned for Seeley Lake at its recent June 25 meeting in Missoula. Several variances to the RV Park code were discussed and agreed upon.

The RV park would create 70 short-term spots for RVs and campers, with hookups, a camp store and a dump station. The RV park would sit between the Montana Gas and Stop and The Seeley Swan Medical Center.

Variances in road width, RV lot size and interior walkway surfaces generated discussion by the board. Final decisions were that two way road widths of 26 feet instead of 30 feet and lots 25 feet apart instead of 30 feet apart do not violate RV park best practices and were approved.

Pathways will be designed for low maintenance and durability. Surfaces may be asphalt, concrete or organic materials.

"Throughout the county non-asphalt paths with materials such as crushed gravel have become weed patches," said Dori Gilels, Missoula County Planning Board.

"The goal is to help the community by increasing seasonal visitor short-term camping opportunities," Brandon Groesner, Lazy Acres RV Park representative said . "By a rough estimate this 70-space park will increase camping spots in the area by 30 percent." Groesner said camping will only be designed for self-contained vehicles and trailers. There will not be any tent sites for bicyclists or hikers. A board member asked that tent sites be considered for the many bikers that come through Seeley.

"The RV Park will start out being open for a 100 day season from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day," according to Groesner. "Some businesses in town have approached me about having seasonal spaces available for their employees and I'll certainly look at that once we get established. The intention is to have short term stays with a constantly revolving population of visitors."

In the subdivision application it is stated that the dump station onsite will be for use by RV park customers only.

Submitted public comments included concerns over traffic congestion with Highway 83, campfire smoke, screening and fencing. Campfire smoke was discussed by the planning board as not contributing to smoke particulates as the particulate regulations refer to winter wood stove use. The air division of the health department did not comment on campfire smoke.

Groesner said vegetative planting or a board fence will be put in along the boundary with residences for screening.

As part of the Seeley Lake Wildland Interface area, emergency exits are required for roadways. The RV Park has designed a main entrance at the north end of the park and an additional exit at the South end.

Garbage will be handled by one of the garbage companies from Missoula. There will be bear-proof commercial dumpsters as Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has recommended.

The property was previously included in the planned phase ll service area by the Seeley Lake Public Sewer District, which is no longer a viable option. Therefore, an onsite sewage disposal system will be proposed, the Missoula County Subdivision application states.

"I think it's a good location for the RVPark, separate from downtown Seeley," said Giles. "It's good that Brandon is open to listening to people's concerns. I think the RV Park will be good for the Seeley Lake community."

The application will now go to the Missoula County Commissioners, who will make a final decision on the RV park on Aug. 10. The Board of County Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on this proposal at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, in the Sophie Moiese Room of the Missoula County Courthouse Annex, 200 West Broadway in Missoula. You can also attend the meeting virtually over Microsoft Teams. Find the agenda and meeting link to join.

To join the call on your phone, call 406-272-4824, Conference ID 727 688 337#.