Seeley Lake Regional Plan
July 7, 2008 Discussion Items
Waterfront Property
Waterfront property (lakefront, streamside) is more sensitive than other lands for a number of reasons. A primary concern is the need to have an approved septic system that can maintain the quality of water resources. Additional concerns are the need to protect shorelines, maintain wildlife habitat, and linkage zones that these areas provide. Therefore, the land use density for all undeveloped and/or unplatted properties adjacent to natural water should be set at one dwelling per five acres. Higher densities on a lakeshore or streamside may be appropriate with consideration, shoreline protection, protection of wildlife habitat and linkage zones, aesthetics and for suitable sewage treatment (See Section 6 of this plan), in which case a density of one dwelling unit per acre may be allowed. All existing properties are subject to the grandfather section of this plan.
Nonconforming Uses
This Plan recognizes that the rural landscape often includes diverse land uses and platted lots that will not be like many rural areas, Seeley Lake has an existing pattern of small lots and commercial and industrial uses in locations that this Plan does not designate for those lot sizes or uses. Land uses and platted lots that currently exist will be considered grandfathered in this land use plan if implemented through zoning. Existing lots and uses will be considered in compliance with this plan or zoning. This includes existing home businesses, home industries, commercial uses, and industrial uses. Any existing lot will be considered in compliance for the building, rebuilding, or expansion of any one family dwelling. Any implementation of this Plan, particularly a zoning ordinance, must include its own section on nonconforming uses that allows: 1. the building, rebuilding and /or expansion of a one family dwelling on any lot that exists at the time of the adoption of the zoning, 2. the continuance of any home businesses, home industries, commercial uses and industrial uses existing at the time of the adoption of this plan. The Community of Seeley Lake will not support the implementation of land use designations recommended in this Plan unless nonconforming lots and uses are allowed to continue, rebuild, and if necessary expand by that implementation.
