• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

THURSDAYTHURSDAY lonepeaklookout.com JanuaryJuly 19, 10, 2018 2019 FREEFREE VolumeVolume 2, Issue1, Issue 6 33 BigBig Sky, Sky, LONELONE PEAKPEAK LOOKOUTLOOKOUT MontanaMontana An unfortunate sign Northern Division race series Zoning amendments approved by Gallatin County Commission to allow Gallatin Canyon billboard to remain BY JOLENE PALMER canyon – the heart of what the [email protected] 2009 zoning district aims to adress. One attendee who spoke ike it or not, the at the January 8 meeting called controversial Saunders for the commissioners to deny Outdoor Advertising the amendments, and rather billboardL in the Beckman Flats pay Saunders the fair and just area of the Gallatin Canyon will compensation to take the sign likely remain. down. Another requested that Upon the advice of their if the commissioners would not legal counsel the Gallatin have the sign removed, that they County Commissioners voted at least strike the amendment unanimously at their weekly which would allow the sign to meeting on January 8 to remain illuminated. approve two amendments to the Only one commenter, North Gallatin Canyon Zoning Doug Espelien, expressed the Big Sky Ski Education Foundation ski racer Kjetil Hassman makes contact with a gate on the slalom course at Big Sky Resort on January Regulations which effectively unpopular opinion that the 5. Check out more coverage on the race on page A8 PHOTO BY MIKE COIL PHOTOGRAPHY allow the much-debated commission should approve the billboard to remain. changes. Espelien, who is also a The meeting had the feel of member of the Gallatin County a legal trial as Billings attorney Planning Board and county Calvin Stacey, representing soil and conservation district, Gallatin County, explained to offered his personal thoughts on Bustling in Big Sky the commission that it was in the issue. their best interest to make the Espelien was on the Gauging the holiday influx via pizza production changes and allow the sign to planning board when the remain. Passionate and lengthy billboard issue came up 10 public testimonials followed, years ago, “And I remember it BY JANA BOUNDS Eve and New Year’s Day kept numbers than last year. The but prepared for it. and a gavel was even required was a very contentious issue [email protected] Big Sky locals busy: shops following night they resorted to “We’re used to it,” Ousel & quell the comments from a at that time as it is today,” he and restaurants were open for pizza to-go from Ousel & Spur. Spur co-owner Josh Kone said. public attendee who was more said. “This sign was put up While many companies business and bursting at the Co-owner of the restaurant, Jen Bustling in Big Sky | A2 than displeased with the final legally… and let’s just imagine are inclined to shut down for seams. What is also interesting Ketteridge, said they were busy, decision. for a moment, the government, the holidays due to paying a about this year is that over a Stacey sympathized with be it federal, state or county- premium for workers: from week into the new year, there the concerns of the public level, having the right to come time-and-a-half to double-time is no sign of the rush slowing We’re used to it,” Ousel & Spur against allowing the billboard to in and basically take your or overtime wages, Big Sky and down. co-owner Josh Kone said. “All remain, readily admitting it was property without any kind of resort communities in general Three friends who meet out an eyesore, “But, it is an eyesore compensation.” operate differently. west every winter, Bill Coates we are is tired now. What I’ve that was legally constructed at a Gallatin Gateway Big Sky was bustling for and Dave Poillucci from New time that there were no zoning resident Jerry Goldstein lives what is kindly called “the busy Jersey and Miles Pietsch from learned this year is we can do regulations in effect,” Stacey about 2,000 feet from the holiday week” or sometimes Idaho, could hardly get a table said, explaining that the sign billboard. He addressed the called “Hell week” by some in Big Sky one week after the about 135 pounds of dough a was permitted by the Montana commissioners, explaining service industry professionals. holiday. One night they were “ night to make pizza.” Department of Transportation, that when it’s lit up, thanks to Regardless of the moniker, squeezed into a corner of Lotus Saunders paid the fee, and it the geography of the area, the the time between Christmas Pad, which reported higher was inspected. entire Beckman Flats area is Had the zoning regulations illuminated along with it. “It been in place in 2008, Stacey is so intrusive, the light, the said, the sign could never sign, that I hope that you guys have been installed. “But decide, if this is a way out, if Bound for B.C. that’s hindsight, that’s Monday we have to pay to get this out, I morning quarterbacking, and recommend, and I hope you do Big Sky local returns to the Freeride World Qualifiers we don’t have that benefit.” too, that we do,” he said. Public comment from In the end, the BY JANA BOUNDS to go for it again,” said influence” got him into trouble. called the Headwaters Spring Canyon residents touched commissioners came to the [email protected] Lenay. “There are only eight He was heavy into street racing Runoff when he was a lift upon the sign’s impediment unpopular decision to strike snowboarders who compete as a teen. operator at Moonlight Basin. It on the safety and beauty of the An unfortunate sign | A2 Big Sky local Chance Lenay in the world tour. So, you are “Full-on ‘The Fast and was his first time competing. was busy recently, packing up competing against the top the Furious’ stuff: cops and “That boosted my his gear and snowboard and snowboarders in the world. helicopters. I got arrested,” he confidence in being able to be a heading to Revelstoke, British You have to requalify, they said. He took that need for competitor in some of the upper CONTENTS Columbia to compete in the cut two and keep six. Some speed to the mountain and level competitions,” he said. Freeride World Qualifiers held competitions will have some hasn’t slowed down since. Still, he would tell other lift on January 10. wild cards, so there’s always Snowboarding allows him that operators his dream of going The competition has eight or nine,” he said. adrenaline fix he craves. pro and riding technical lines. 59716 Volunteer: Betsy Rondeau……………… ............……… A6 two regions: Europe and the Perhaps late to the game, Lenay admits his parents are He says their response was Big Horns battle Falcons, BSSEF race results…… ............. … A8 Americas. Last year, Lenay Lenay started snowboarding happy he’s chosen legal means almost always the same: “No Not So Average Jan: Kara Blodgett……..……… ..........……… A9 earned the distinction in that when he was a lift operator at to get his adrenaline rush. way, dude. You’re already 20 The Fabview: Take 6 takes two at the WMPAC….................... B2 competition of being the top 18 years old, never stepping They’re proud of him, he said: years old. You’ll never be a pro.” snowboarder in North America, foot on a snowboard before Proud he found what inspires “So, it’s nice to go back and Montana legislative preview: Medicaid………… ............ ……. B4 but second for the Americas. that. He’d spent his high school him. hit those lines I talked about,” THIS IS MONTANA: Madison River history ….... ..................... B5 “So, there was one other guy years playing soccer, baseball What really kicked-off his said Lenay. Blotter: There’s a dead thing in the shed……… .............. …… B7 who cut me out. Getting that and skateboarding near Seattle. dream was getting second place close gave me the confidence What he calls the “Seattle in the local freeride competition Bound for B.C. | A2 287 WINDY PASS TRAIL $1,295,000 LTDRealEstate 4 BED, 6 BATH, 5819 SQ.FT 3 ACRES MLS#305777 OPEN HOUSE THURSDAY JAN 24TH 10AM-1PM SUNDAY JAN 27TH 12-5PM LTDRealEstate.com | 406.995.2800 LONE PEAK LOOKOUT A2 January 10, 2019 An unfortunate sign from A1 the requirement for non- that we were on the edge was handed. He said he is a conforming signs in the North of legality. I remember our proponent of zoning, and this Gallatin Zoning District to attorney at the time made the was a perfect example, in his reach compliance within 10 statement, ‘I’m not sure how opinion, of why sooner is better years of the district’s 2009 legal this is…’” than later when it comes to formation (known as an The owner of the sign, Utah- creating zoning regulations. amortization clause), because, based Saunders Advertising, “I find it unfortunate that that as Stacey and Commissioner ultimately questioned that billboard is there, I wish it Skinner explained, the sign legality and eventually sued wasn’t,” said MacFarlane. “But I was erected legally before the Gallatin County for its right to also understand and realize that regulations were put into place. keep the billboard up through this amortization clause was an The sign will also continue to the 30-year lease that was ill-advised and ineffective way be allowed to be illuminated, if signed back in 2008. It was that of dealing with the problem of advertisers choose to do so. debatable legality and the costs an individual right of use that Commission Chair Skinner, that accompany lawsuits that we decided we didn’t like after it who served as commissioner were at the crux of attorney h app e n e d .” when the billboard went up on Stacey’s recommendation to With the decision made, 2008, and for the creation of the amend the zoning requirements the commission will open a district and the regulations that to effectively allow the only 30-day protest period.

Load more

  18

Copy Link