The Forest Service has promised a full environmental review of the new plan, and more opportunities for the public to weigh in. Meet Our Leadership Team | Brookfield Properties The original lodge was built on the shore of Holland Lake in 1924 but was consumed by a fire in 1946. Variations of that theme that the proposed expansion is just too big for Condon emerge as I continued my trip through town. As proposed, the expansion would more than double the number of guests at the lodge from 50 to at least 90 or as many as 156, extend operations into winter, and possibly double the acres in use. Daily Montanan is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Last Completed Milestone: Thousands of people submitted online comments to the Forest Service regarding POWDRs proposed project, the vast majority of which were against the expansion. I had people come up to me after the public meetings I was at in early October and say that they were worried that if they said anything positive in support of our efforts, that their cabin would be burned down, Hutchinson said. But thousands of people have already submitted comments based on the original plan, Lombardi said: What is the administrative procedure now that they dont know? Some members of the public have called for him to scale back the project, and Wohlfeil said its possible to downsize, but doing so would mean pushing up rates for the project to pencil out. She also said the Forest Service will conduct some sort of environmental review even if it grants a categorical exclusion. The information we have been given to date still has Christian Wohlfeil as the majority owner of Holland Lake Incorporated, MacKenzie said in an email. You may also be interested in single family homes and condo/townhomes that sold in popular zip codes like 60148, 60647, or neighboring cities, such as Chicago, Naperville, La Grange, Berwyn, Downers Grove. Similarly, when Blacktail. A proposed tuition freeze for Montana students flew past one hurdle this week in Helena. NEPA or Forest Plan Amendment Decision Document Available (est. The presentation notes the signing took place before the public was notified of a proposed project.. Contact reporter Laura Lundquist [email protected]. Without a liquor license, the Lodge a destination resort that touts fine dining as one of its attractions cant legally sell alcohol, which would likely be a death blow, the memo said. Citizen Groundswell Rises Up To Keep A Montana Lake Quaint Cookies must be enabled to use this tool. POWDR doesnt need a return on its investment right away, he said, but it needs a return sooner or later. While we believe there will not be adverse impact to the environment, the mechanism for how to evaluate the impacts against NEPA guidelines has always been less important to us than the conclusion. There are a lot of people that believe the use of a categorical exclusion would be illegal, said Akland, a lawyer for the Center for Biological Diversity. Wohlfeil said such changes were needed for the Lodge to thrive. Alternatively, these documents can be accessed on the Pinyon Public website: View Documents on Pinyon Public, https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61746. The main lodge (9 guest. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. . In April, Holland Lake Lodge Inc., submitted a plan to the Forest Service to expand its resort on a pristine and popular lake in the Swan Valley. The LLC, in turn, has a concession agreement with the lodge, which the memo said allows the lodge to utilize the license that was formerly in its own name.. In the meantime, the Nov. 15 memo from Corn and Browder calls into question the validity of the current permit itself, issued May 2017. 8 myths about renting you should stop believing immediately, 6 ways home buyers mess up getting a mortgage, 6 reasons you should never buy or sell a home without an agent, Difference between agent, broker & REALTOR, Real estate agents reveal the toughest home buyers they've ever met, Before You Buy, Look for Red Flags in the Neighborhood, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The current plan also would winterize the buildings, making Holland Lake Lodge a year-round destination. His input and local knowledge and experience was critical to development of the initial plan. POWDR already in charge of Holland Lake Lodge, memo alleges Something went wrong while submitting the form. And that is a sad state of affairs.. POWDR already in charge of Holland Lake Lodge, lawyers allege (Daily Montanan) POWDR, a Utah company identified as future owner of Holland Lake Lodge, is already in control of the Swan Valley resort, allege a couple of lawyers who are opponents of a lodge expansion proposal in a memo and review of public records. Gardner eventually became chief operating officer and chief strategy officer for VidCon, which was started by Green and his brother, John Green, and grew to become the worlds largest celebration of digital video and online creators. In earlier interviews, Wohlfeil has said the property needs significant investment in infrastructure upgrades in order to operate sustainably for future generations. Theyre beautiful and well-loved for their rustic charm and serene landscape. Flathead National Forest: Decision on Holland Lake likely coming this Read about our leadership team. Holland Lake Lodge 03/01/2023), https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61746&exp=detail. Holland Lake Lodge is a rustic lakeside resort with genuine Montana charm, surrounded by stunning views of two mountain ranges, a pristine lake, and a 100-foot waterfall. Construction, reconstruction, decommissioning, or disposal of buildings, infrastructure, or improvements at an existing recreation site, including infrastructure or improvements that are adjacent or connected to an existing recreation site and provide access or utilities for that site. I started digging and have been working on it for a couple of years.. Frequent letters to the editor in newspapers across western Montana show voices in opposition to the project. The new facility would hold up to 156 guests and will require larger wastewater and sewage systems and parking areas, requiring the removal of several trees. Laura Lundquist (Missoula Current) Two years' worth of emails indicate the Flathead National Forest has collaborated since late 2020 with the buyers of Holland Lake Lodge in a manner that breeds mistrust for some members of the public. By proceeding, you consent to receive calls and texts at the *30 guests or less. It cites as one example termination upon change of control of the business entity.. The 2020 U.S. Census pinned its population at 285. Cover page of the Holland Lake Lodge expansion proposal. Sign up here for updates and news on the process. She also said POWDR has a helicopter skiing business, and another concern is whether the company would eventually apply for a permit to do heliskiing in the Swan Valley. Many locals were outraged after they learned of Utah-based resort company POWDRs plan to buy and triple the capacity of the lodge in September five months after the company submitted the plan to the Forest Service. A 2022 report to the Montana . We try our best to accommodate all walk-in parties. Lawmakers vote down four proposals to make judicial elections partisan. Daily Montanan maintains editorial independence. Holland Lake Lodge Facility Improvement & Expansion Yeah, I just dont think theyll stay, Shirley Hahn said. Gardner grew up in Scobey and used to split his time between there and California until he came to Missoula in 2005 to visit his sister, who was in law school, and wound up crashing on her couch. In an earlier interview, he said he recently sold minority shares to POWDR, which operates ski resorts and bills itself as an adventure life company. The memo also notes Utah Secretary of State records show POWDRs address in Park City as the same one listed as the legal address for the lodge by the Montana Secretary of States Office as of April 2021. Its a Catch-22 because we also need tourism in our state that helps our economy.. However, she said the Forest Service has discretion over how much related documentation it needs to provide. Grizzly bears? The current plan does not mention helicopter skiing, but Akland said that doesnt preclude the company from making a request in the future. The two have been in business together for 13 years, and know just about everyone in Condon. The proposal noted owners Christian Wohlfeil and POWDR, of Park City, Utah, had submitted the joint application to expand and improve the resort. If we can do year round operations, it would be at least 20 year round jobs, which we could then do full medical, dental, vision and 401K benefits, Wohlfeil said. The MDP proposes to restore the old lodge, add buildings, and upgrade infrastructure within the existing 15-acre permit area. Holland Lake Lodge is a rustic lakeside resort with genuine Montana charm, surrounded by stunning views of two mountain ranges, a pristine lake, and a 100-foot waterfall. About 2 Save Holland Lake Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. She said the request from Holland Lake Lodge was for 15 acres the plan notes a wastewater area of 3.8 acres is separate but it appears to be currently permitted for 10.53 acres. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Two years from now, what will their next proposal be?. Review of Holland Lake Lodge, Condon, MT - Tripadvisor At public meetings and in press interviews, POWDR has reiterated that it wants to build that trust with the community. So we have people going out to do the mapping portion of it, she said. Holland Lake Lodge set to be sold to Missoula tech exec who plans to But the proposal and process both have raised the ire of residents of the Swan Valley. 23.7 miles from Holland Lake Lodge St. Ignatius Sunset Motel View Hotel 20 reviews 24.9 miles from Holland Lake Lodge Free Wifi Free parking Top Rated Breakfast included Red Lion Ridgewater Inn & Suites Polson View Hotel 193 reviews 29.2 miles from Holland Lake Lodge Free Wifi Free parking Visit hotel website Breakfast included Bayview Inn 1947 Holland Lake Lodge Rd, Condon MT 59826. For example, he said hes never waterskied on the lake even though he grew up with the sport, and he could legally rent out jet skis, but he doesnt. In the first season, there will be some changes but nothing too big, Gardner said. Over the years, he said hes worked 70 or 80 hours a week at the lodge and worn every hat, so its not easy for him to hear impassioned public comment against the expansion. She said an environmental assessment or EIS are still possible. Gardners plan is to attract investors, starting at $25,000, and to reinvest profits back into the property. This Master Development Plan is intended to preserve the spirit and integrity of what is here, while upgrading facilities so we can share this place with guests for years to come, Wohlfeil saidin a statement. The main lodge (9 guest rooms, restaurant, bar & lounge), 6 guest cabins, gift shop, newly constructed owner's cabin, and two out-buildings School data provided by National Center for Education Statistics, Flathead National Forest Supervisor Kurt Steele issued a letter in November essentially telling POWDR to try again, citing inaccuracies and inconsistencies within the companys proposal. To maintain this sense of community pride for generations to come, many buildings and facilities are outdated and in serious need of repair. Although he admits the capacity at the lodge would be at least twice its current limit, he also said the number of additional visitors should be viewed in the context of all of the use at the lake. At the public meeting last week, Flathead Forest Supervisor Kurt Steele admitted to the public the Forest Service initially presented the scope of the project as a footprint of 15 acres, same as the current resort, according to the Missoulian. However, one week following a contentious public meeting about the proposal, Flathead National Forest Public Information Officer Tami MacKenzie said the Forest Service will conduct some type of environmental review, although the agency has not determined the extent of it, nor is it legally bound to complete an environmental study. I want to continue the legacy of this special, magical, wonderful lodge, he said. POWDR said in a statement it intends to submit a new plan that wont compromise on scale., Once someone like that has their foot in the door, next year, what will their next proposal be? Siloti said. As proposed, the Master Development Plan will restore the proper foundation and infrastructure to the property. However, she said the boundary for the permit is still pretty unknown because modern mapping tools havent been used on the property. On Thursday, the Swan Lake Ranger District of the Flathead National Forest announced that it was taking public comment on a proposal to expand the Holland Lake Lodge facility near Seeley Lake.