One of its most striking attributes is actually something its missing noise. I would encourage everyone to just continue through this process with us and see where it ends up.. I want to continue the legacy of this special, magical, wonderful lodge, he said. 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. Ive hung 98% of the signage down Highway 83, Siloti said with a laugh. Yeah, I just dont think theyll stay, Shirley Hahn said. HOLLAND LAKE LODGE - Reviews (Condon, MT) - Tripadvisor No one I talked to during my visit to Condon expressed support for POWDRs plans. The expansion proposal has drawn significant opposition, in part because of the resorts location in the Swan Valley and its possible effects on grizzly bears, water quality and other resources. We are confident that any analysis, driven by data, science, and the experts at the Flathead Forest, will support our Master Development Plan going forward. POWDR already in charge of Holland Lake Lodge, memo alleges In Montana, liquor licenses can be sold for tens of thousands of dollars. Rooms currently rent for $300 - $340 a night, up from the 2019 prices of $200 - $240 a night. Holland Lake Lodge set to be sold to Missoula tech exec who plans to email, from realtor.com and, Home buyers reveal: 'What I wish I had known before buying my first home', Selling your home? In the case of a change of control, the permit notes an application for a new permit must be submitted, but the Forest Service is not obligated to grant one. Holland Lake Lodge is a rustic lakeside resort nestled between the Swan and Mission mountain ranges, with access to a number of incredible outdoor recreation opportunities. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. I think the next step is for us to really get deep into the public comment, MacKenzie said. Take a look through some of the beautiful views and experiences the Lodge offers. But the plan has not been popular with the public, in part because the Forest Service said it may not complete a full environmental assessment or more extensive environmental impact statement, or EIS, before approving the project. Gardners plan is to attract investors, starting at $25,000, and to reinvest profits back into the property. We look forward to continuing this legacy, Sibley said in a statement. Its a Catch-22 because we also need tourism in our state that helps our economy.. Want to bring a larger group to the Lodge?Book all of our rooms and cabins to enjoy a uniquely private, personalized get-together for $5565 per night. Plot thickens in Holland Lake Lodge expansion debate Gardner, who lives in Missoula, said hes always done things at a much more accelerated pace than many people. MacKenzie, with the Flathead National Forest, said the Forest Service has not yet made a decision to use a categorical exclusion. Meet Our Leadership Team | Brookfield Properties The Daily Montanan is a nonprofit, nonpartisan source for trusted news, commentary and insight into statewide policy and politics beneath the Big Sky. Then, in 2017, he put it up for sale. A few miles down the road from the mercantile, Shirley and Loyd Hahn live in a log home. Early in 2018, VidCon was sold to Viacom. Holland Lake Lodge is about three miles to east of the Montana HWY 83. He lives just down the road from Holland Lake at the south end of town. He said the Forest Service needs to confirm the acreage in question. I started digging and have been working on it for a couple of years.. This indicates that for the last 18 months, the Lodges corporate affairs have been conducted by POWDRs legal department,' the memo said. Holland Lake Lodge set to be sold to Missoula tech exec who plans to expand, extend season. 406.754.2282. info@hollandlakelodge.com. Powdr to Enhance Accommodations and Services at Holland Lake Lodge Christian Wohlfeil, the present owner for the last 20 years, has partnered with a phenomenal company to transition the Lodge to the next chapter. Otherwise, consider buying a gift card for you or a loved one. Holland Lake Lodge: Dining Cookies must be enabled to use this tool. 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. A 2022 report to the Montana . Flathead National Forest All Units, Notice and Comment Regulation
"It needs enough income structure here to be a viable, healthy business. There were 119 properties sold in Brookfield, IL, which spent an average of 61 days on the market. And what happens if people responded to a proposal that wasnt totally accurate? The current plan also would winterize the buildings, making Holland Lake Lodge a year-round destination. KALISPELL Authorities have arrested a man in connection with a fatal shooting in northwest Montana. Condon unrolls along an evergreen-lined stretch of Highway 83 a strung-out series of homes, two churches, and a bar and diner. Please subscribe to keep reading. The Master Development Plan (MDP) 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. The Holland Lake area is already heavily impacted. *30 guests or less. Kristine Akland, with the Center for Biological Diversity, said the Forest Services preliminary decision to grant a categorical exclusion doesnt square with a proposal to possibly triple capacity at the lodge. He is also exploring partnerships for hosting music festivals, holiday celebrations and corporate retreats. Holland Lake Lodge is about three miles to east of the Montana HWY 83. Or do you want to come and enjoy what you came to see? Review of Holland Lake Lodge, Condon, MT - Tripadvisor Contact reporter Laura Lundquist atlundquist@missoulacurrent.com. Variations of that theme that the proposed expansion is just too big for Condon emerge as I continued my trip through town. As always, we are grateful to the community and all those who have made comments and welcome their feedback regarding our plans at www.hollandlakefuture.com. Holland Lake Lodge Facility Improvement & Expansion In our resubmittal, we will support the Forest Services recommendation to conduct an Environmental Assessment. As a result, the Forest Service must approve all modifications. Holland Lake Lodge: Gift Shop Holland Lake Lodge, Condon: See 159 traveler reviews, 139 candid photos, and great deals for Holland Lake Lodge, ranked #1 of 2 specialty lodging in Condon and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. The current proposed updates to the infrastructure would be more sustainable for the lake as they are made to help with conservation and environmental protection. Preserve the lodge, owners cabin, and barn, Add wildfire and life safety fire suppression system, Update wastewater and sewage systems to 2022 standards, Construct buildings to 2022 safety and accessibility standards, Winterize buildings for year-round access, Conserve water by upgrading to EPA approved WaterSense fixtures, Conserve energy by upgrading to EPA EnergyStar certified appliances, lighting and heating, Improve waste management by installing bear proof trash and recycling receptacles, Improve water quality in the lake by moving car parking away from the lake towards the barn, Add renewable energy with rooftop solar where feasible, Protect the night sky by following the International Dark Sky Park Program, Partner with local guides and outfitters to offer guests more activities, Add a 28-room lodge, welcome center, restaurant, and cabins, Add a maintenance building and employee housing, Install a dock for non-motorized boats and two swimming docks, Maintain an Adirondack inspired aesthetic for new building design, Provide year-round lodging, food and beverages, and accommodations, Eliminate or reduce local access to Holland Lake. She said Thursday she anticipates a decision will be made in the next week or two. Next Milestone: In addition,the East Holland Lake Connector Trailhead parking area would be expanded up to 3 acres. The Hahns have a long relationship with the lodge Lloyd would house customers for his outfitting business there, and Shirley says she would kayak with friends and pull up to shore for a drink. Frequent letters to the editor in newspapers across western Montana show voices in opposition to the project. For example, Holland Lake Lodge transferred a liquor license to a separate Holland Lake Lodge Restaurant LLC, according to Department of Revenue records. Not only was that the case with Holland Lake Lodge, but also last year's sale of Glacier Raft Company to Pursuit Glacier Collection, a subsidiary of Viad Corp. Were trying to look at the long term future and have the lodge be viable for the future, Wohlfeil said. Lawmakers vote down four proposals to make judicial elections partisan. A permit provision states specific conditions terminate the permit without any action by the authorized officer, or Forest Supervisor. This is why the current owner, Christian Wohlfeil, has been looking to sell the property. For example, the Forest Service estimates peak use at 500 people a night for the campground, group site and Owl Packer Camp, not including the day-use area. 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. And that is a sad state of affairs.. Flathead National Forest is proposing facility expansion of Holland Lake Lodge. It lists a mailing address in Park City for the principal office and is signed on behalf of Sibley in a power of attorney capacity. 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. He says he fears Condons all-volunteer emergency services could be overwhelmed by the added strain the larger lodge could produce. Notice of Initiation (09/01/2022) DEQ said if they both are acceptable, they may be used to serve the development in the future. If the project moves forwards, she said the Forest Service will prepare an analysis to present to the public and open another public comment period likely after the first of the year. In addition, several new buildings will be added, including a 13,000-square-foot lodge with 28 rooms, a 3,000-square-foot restaurant, a 2,000-square-foot welcome center for check-in, 10 650-square-foot cabins, 16 smaller studio cabins and new support buildings for maintenance and employee housing. Wohlfeil has owned and managed the resort for 20 years, according to the application. Holland Lake Lodge is located along the shores of majestic Holland Lake on 10.53 acres of US Forest Service land with a perpetual, renewable special use permit. Thanks for subscribing! Located on the north side of Holland Lake near the East Holland Connector Trail (trail# 415) Trailhead. Holland Lake Lodge Facility Improvement & Expansion Thats the difference.. POWDR told MTPR a new master development plan will be submitted sometime in 2023. people are sort of sensitive to all the people moving in and all the crowds coming with Covid, he said. I ran operations for the Montana Food Bank Network and then met (local video and internet entrepreneur) Hank Green, he said. Treating yourself or a loved one to a stay at the Lodge, or items in our gift shop, is now easier than ever. What will happen to water quality? Public comment might not do much to change the project. We will share more information on the NEPA process when its available. 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. Its a very healthy business and its in the most beautiful place in the whole world.. Our intention from the beginning of this process was to upgrade the infrastructure of Holland Lake Lodge in a sustainable way that would preserve the integrity of the lodge and environment without sacrificing affordability for residents and others seeking to marvel at the grandeur of our natural spaces. The Secretary of State documents are included in a presentation made in Seeley Lake earlier this week by Save Holland Lake and cited in the memo. He said the former owner was also a young guy in his early 40s but was looking to pass the torch. This includes Holland Lake Lodge where guests have been coming for generations.". If you are using a mobile device, the setting for "Allow cross-website tracking" must also be enabled to view the documents. The original lodge was built on the shore of Holland Lake in 1924 but was consumed by a fire in 1946. Home | Future Of Holland La Ive been there, done that. The group that formed to oppose the project, Save Holland Lake, has said the Forest Service itself contributed to confusion and public distrust after it misstated the acreage covered in the current permit. The current nightly rate for two people is $340, including meals. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Plans include increasing occupancy by adding a new lodge, new cabins and smaller studio cabins, with the goal of keeping nightly rates accessible. The owner of Holland Lake Lodge, who sold significant ownership shares of the facility to POWDR, told the Montana Free Press that POWDR needs to be able to expand the facilities in order to turn a profit. Holland Lake Lodge set to be sold to Missoula tech exec who - MATR Our company was founded on the premise of providing broad access to the outdoors in a safe, sustainable manner that would create generations of nature lovers who, in turn, would join us in becoming advocates of ecological stewardship. 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. The public is confused, and now the Forest Service is confused. Emails: Flathead Forest favored Holland Lake Lodge proposal Some of the hottest neighborhoods near Brookfield, IL are Garfield Ridge, South Maywood, West Village, Seminary District, Old Town North. He also wants to increase the dining and lodging capacities by adding indoor and outdoor seating, installing the eco-yurts and opening the owners residence to guests. 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.. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. There will be the addition of some new structures to add capacity. Before joining States Newsroom Montana, she served as city editor of the Missoulian, the largest news outlet in western Montana. The additional months of tourism would positively impact the surrounding communities and businesses, as visitors come and help power the local economies. Kalispell mental health clinic closes, leaving 200 patients without care, Racicot: preserving democracy outweighs party politics, House OKs a broadly written 'parental rights' bill. A Missoula entrepreneur is under contract to purchase the historic Holland Lake Lodge in the Swan Valley north of Seeley Lake and plans to extend its season, install eco-yurts and perhaps find partners for music festivals. a product of First Street Foundation. 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. She says she doesnt trust POWDR to change something so important to locals in the area. We will share more of those details in the coming weeks. Join us for a laid-back breakfast or lunch, or come in the evening for a sophisticated menu featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients, as well as an extensive selection of quality wines and cocktails. We try our best to accommodate all walk-in parties. So we have 100 years of permits for this thing, and no two permits are really giving us the same layout and acreage.. In Montana, liquor licenses can be sold for tens of thousands of dollars. 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. The Flathead National Forest is taking scoping comments onthe development planuntil Sept. 21 and will hold a public meeting just to provide information at the Holland Lake Lodge from 5-7 p.m. on Sept. 8. Brookfield Properties is lead by a group of innovative leaders, bringing fresh perspective to the real estate industry. POWDR already in charge of Holland Lake Lodge, memo alleges Christian chose to work with POWDR to make updates that preserve the character of the lodge because of the companys dedication to protecting the environment and being inclusive of all guests and local residents. Its a Catch-22 because we also need tourism in our state that helps our economy., 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, Forest Service: Holland Lake Lodge expansion plan rejected, POWDR already in charge of Holland Lake Lodge, memo alleges, Flathead National Forest: Decision on Holland Lake likely. Corn and Browder, who live in Ravalli County, said they discussed their opposition to the project and subsequently conducted the review; they did the work independently of the Save Holland Lake group, which formed to fight the expansion. Wohlfeil, majority owner of the lodge, said his interest is in selling the property to an owner who has the ability to invest in much needed upgrades and who shares his values of stewardship. 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. Environmental risk data is provided by Risk Factor, Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Holland Lake Lodge operates on public land in the Flathead National Forest under the special use permit, which is valid through 2036. "It's a very healthy business and it's in the . 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. 'Sad state of affairs' as Forest Service considers Montana resort But the proposal and process both have raised the ire of residents of the Swan Valley. Recreation sites include but are not limited to campgrounds and camping areas, picnic areas, day use areas, fishing sites, interpretive sites, visitor centers, trailheads, ski areas, and observation sites. About 2 Save Holland Lake One-off special of sitcom will poke fun at Sussexes This process has been confusing from the beginning, said Bill Lombardi, with Save Holland Lake, the group opposing the expansion and calling for greater scrutiny. Its just a very pristine valley that has all kinds of wildlife, so were just puzzled and concerned why the Forest Service one, would propose a categorical exclusion, and two, didnt tell anyone until September when theyve had this planned until at least April of this year, Lombardi said. The property also holds six guest cabins, a gift shop, owner's cabin and two outbuildings. The current permit identifies Holland Lake Lodge as the holder and lists Wohlfeil as owner of the lodge.