I think the next step is for us to really get deep into the public comment, MacKenzie said. There were 119 properties sold in Brookfield, IL, which spent an average of 61 days on the market. She also said the Forest Service will conduct some sort of environmental review even if it grants a categorical exclusion. If the Forest Service considers all the infrastructure currently in place, she said its greater than 15 acres based on a preliminary assessment. POWDR has built its brand on the premise of delivering soulful experiences that matter to guests and reflect the local community. The busiest spot on a recent December day was a gas station and convenience store at the north end of town. My hope is that a new owner really preserves how special everything is and brings it up to 2020, Wohlfeil told the Daily Interlake in 2019. Improvements at the Holland Lake Lodge and the East Holland Lake Connector Trailhead would offer the opportunity to satisfy some of the increased demand for outdoor recreation on public lands in the Swan and Flathead Valleys.. By proceeding, you consent to receive calls and texts at the Together, they look forward to expanding guest services and activities, while preserving the unique and special character of what is here now. Environmental risk data is provided by Risk Factor, 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. The environment and ecosystems where we work and operate is our top priority and we have no desire to conduct business in a way that undermines that. Holland Lake Lodge, Inc. Master Development Plan details building and infrastructure improvements, enhancing the visitor experience, within the current permitted area. The lodge was built in 1924 but burned down in 1946 and was rebuilt in 1947. But the memo released this week by lawyers George Corn and Daniel Browder alleges control of the joint venture between Wohlfeil and POWDR terminated the current permit and should have triggered an application for a new permit. He lives just down the road from Holland Lake at the south end of town. The original lodge was built on the shore of Holland Lake in 1924 but was consumed by a fire in 1946. The Lodge property sits on 15 acres of Forest Service land, thanks to a perpetual special-use permit, similar to the type owned by ski resorts. Gardner, who lives in Missoula, said hes always done things at a much more accelerated pace than many people. Generally, he said his interest is in increasing overnight guest capacity to an average 130, or more than doubling it, upgrading the infrastructure, including sewer, parking and power, creating employee housing, and potentially running at least some services all year long. The 10-acre site includes a fine dining restaurant, a full bar, six semi-rustic guest cabins and an eight-room lodge. If you are using a mobile device, the setting for "Allow cross-website tracking" must also be enabled to view the documents. 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. Lead Management Unit By, At the halfway point, Republicans pass budget bills, target 'woke extremism'. Take a look through some of the beautiful views and experiences the Lodge offers. Flathead National Forest is proposing facility expansion of Holland Lake Lodge. 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. KALISPELL Authorities have arrested a man in connection with a fatal shooting in northwest Montana. The current nightly rate for two people is $340, including meals. Breakfast Lunch dinner wine bar Dinner Served nightly from 5:45 - 8:45pm Reservations are recommended for dinner. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Save Holland Lake, an advance group thats grown out of the communitys frustration, released a press release raising concerns over the Forest Services handling of the public process, potential violations of the lodges permit to operate on public land, and pushing for a full environmental review of the proposal. Learn More Stay The fact is: There is wildlife including grizzlies, black bears, wolverines, lynx, bull trout, bats and loons that will surely be affected by the construction of a 13,000-square foot, 3,000 square-foot restaurant, 26 cabins and "bunkies," additional outbuildings and employee housing, parking lots and floating docks. He says he fears Condons all-volunteer emergency services could be overwhelmed by the added strain the larger lodge could produce. Public comment might not do much to change the project. A Utah-based corporation wants to expand the Holland Lake Lodge into more of a year-round resort destination, but it needs Forest Service approval to do so. And thats a direct quote from a woman in Condon.. DEIJ Policy | Ethics Policy | Privacy Policy. The current owner of Holland Lake Lodge has been seeking to sell the property for years, saying it is in bad shape and in need of updates. With six cabins and nine rooms, the Lodge has plenty of options for accommodations that help you experience Holland Lake and the surrounding area to the fullest during your all-inclusive stay. POWDR partnered with Holland Lake Lodge, Inc., and came up with a development plan that they submitted to the Forest Service in April. The area brings a sense of community values and is true to Montana roots. 03/01/2023), https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61746&exp=detail. 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. 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. 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. You can cancel at any time. I know they (the public) feel like they were blindsided, but this is really step one. We will continue to look into this concern regarding current ownership and if something has changed we will take appropriate action.. MacKenzie, with the Flathead National Forest, said the Forest Service has not yet made a decision to use a categorical exclusion. The process has been fouled up from the beginning.. So we have to ask for as much as we want to do now, he said. 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. We have gift cards available online! number you provided, including marketing by autodialer and prerecorded and artificial voice, and But the Forest Service later said the permit was for 10.53 acres, and Thursday, MacKenzie said the agency still needs to confirm the acreage in question. His input and local knowledge and experience was critical to development of the initial plan. This indicates that for the last 18 months, the Lodges corporate affairs have been conducted by POWDRs legal department,' the memo said. As of Sunday, more than 2,800 people . Last Completed Milestone: I ran operations for the Montana Food Bank Network and then met (local video and internet entrepreneur) Hank Green, he said. Ive got two full-grown kids, he said. Thousands of people submitted online comments to the Forest Service regarding POWDRs proposed project, the vast majority of which were against the expansion. However, spokesperson Tami MacKenzie said the Forest Service will continue to evaluate the issue. Its a place where many Montanans have spent their family weekends and vacations. Our plan will also incorporate several modifications that came from the previous public comment period - constructive ideas from those who want the best for the Lodge and the land. You have permission to edit this article. Holland Lake Lodge operates on public land in the Flathead National Forest under the special use permit, which is valid through 2036. Plus, he said, the exclusion wont bypass a review, it will allow for a less intensive analysis. Thursday, a Flathead National Forest spokesperson said mapping is underway to clarify the acreage currently in use. 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. In the meantime, Lombardi pointed to grizzly bears, lynx, bull trout, elk, loons, the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, and said they all merit a rigorous environmental review. Forest Supervisor Kurt Steele signed the document as well. POWDRs corporate shenanigans may be legal, but they are precisely the sort of actions that the permit was drafted to address, the memo said. 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. 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. The original lodge was built on the shore of Holland Lake in 1924 but was consumed by a fire in 1946. Holland Lake Lodge Experience Spectacular Solitude at Holland Lake Lodge, Montana's Hidden Gem 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. Its well-loved and now must be well-cared for by a team with the knowledge and resources to renovate these spaces while retaining the character that makes them special. take the lodge with you The Holland Lake Lodge Gift Shop specializes in both local and customized apparel, gifts, novelties and souvenirs. The current nightly rate for two people is $340, including meals. 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. Gardners plan is to attract investors, starting at $25,000, and to reinvest profits back into the property. Christian 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. This home has a n/a noise level for the surrounding area. Notice of Initiation (09/01/2022) Or do you want to come and enjoy what you came to see? The two have been in business together for 13 years, and know just about everyone in Condon. We will share more information on the NEPA process when its available. Wohlfeil said such changes were needed for the Lodge to thrive. Please subscribe to keep reading. Thursday, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality noted it had received the lodges application to construct two public water wells so they can be tested for quality and quantity. A photo of Holland Lake in Montana (U.S. Forest Service via Flickr). 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. Read about our leadership team. 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. If thats the case, the Forest Service wont conduct an environmental assessment or impact statement, and the scoping period will be the only opportunity for the public to provide comment. Shirley Hahn says she worries an increase in traffic at the lodge would drive out wildlife. 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. The lodge sits in a grizzly corridor, so Wohlfeil said he can submit a proposal, or master development plan, to the Forest Service just once every 10 years. Flathead National Forest Supervisor Kurtis Steele indicated that he would probably use a categorical exclusion to approve the project, because the proposal involves construction on a recreation site that already has buildings on it. POWDRs vice president of communications Stacey Hutchinson told MTPR the company is listening to feedback from the public before it makes its next proposal. The Forest Service announced the Holland Lake Lodge. She also confirmed a second public comment period will take place after more analysis and acreage clarifications., This really is just the beginning of this process, MacKenzie said. 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. Otherwise, consider buying a gift card for you or a loved one. This propertys wildfire risk is increasing. One dog-gone expensive hound is slated to be stationed near the entrance to Missoulas newest dog park. Don't neglect these 6 maintenance tasks - or else, Debunked! She said she didnt know if a lawsuit would end up being filed, but one of the concerns with granting an exception to an environmental assessment or more in depth environmental impact statement is work can start right away and the proposal notes changes will begin in 2023. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, 'Buffalo take care of us': First Blackfeet buffalo hunt open to all was a success, 'A hearty animal': Yaks roam 1,000-acre ranch outside of Kalispell, After escaping 'religious cult', Montana woman faces new challenges with honeyberry farm, Homeless Missoulians get creative to survive extreme cold, Business Buzz: New coffee shop, bakery opens in Missoula, MCPS school board selects 1 applicant for superintendent interview, Next chapter for Sleepy Inn motel begins this week, Attorneys offer more claims to Title IX suit against UM, City of Livingston releases more details on the death of Jalen Williams, Missoula's chief of police announces retirement, Death Notices for Thursday, March 2, 2023, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Business Buzz: Missoula airport certified as 'sensory inclusive facility', Former NFL star Chad Johnson says he saved money by living inside Cincinnati Bengals stadium for 2 years, Missoula hospital officials urge vaccinations, calling ahead to prevent measles outbreaks, Missoula County School District proposes adding seat belts to school buses, $25,000 dog to grace entrance of Missoula's MRL park, University of Montana president: Tuition freeze advances in Montana Legislature, 1 dead, 1 arrested after fatal shooting in northwest Montana, PayneWest Insurance offers competitive benefits to battle workforce crunch, Alaskas Iditarod kicks off with ceremonial start, Global race is on to improve EV range in the cold, Dogs, mushers prep for Iditarod as PETA accuses racers of animal abuse. Charming rustic lakeside cabins, a proud main lodge circa 1947, and to-die-for food.. Grizzly bears? 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. 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. email, from realtor.com and, Home buyers reveal: 'What I wish I had known before buying my first home', Selling your home? At public meetings and in press interviews, POWDR has reiterated that it wants to build that trust with the community. If he was starting from scratch, he said, he would understand the call for a full environmental study, but the Forest Service suggested the owners ask for a categorical exclusion because the resort is already in operation. The additional months of tourism would positively impact the surrounding communities and businesses, as visitors come and help power the local economies. The current plan also would winterize the buildings, making Holland Lake Lodge a year-round destination. POWDR doesnt need a return on its investment right away, he said, but it needs a return sooner or later. Flathead National Forest is proposing facility expansion of Holland Lake Lodge. Similarly, when Blacktail. Kalispell mental health clinic closes, leaving 200 patients without care, Racicot: preserving democracy outweighs party politics, House OKs a broadly written 'parental rights' bill. There will be the addition of some new structures to add capacity. Rooms currently rent for $300 - $340 a night, up from the 2019 prices of $200 - $240 a night. 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. 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. After years of searching and considering new owners, Christian selected and partnered with POWDR to continue his vision of inclusivity in a newer and more sustainable Holland Lake Lodge. This is why the current owner, Christian Wohlfeil, has been looking to sell the property. 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. Ive been around.. We try our best to accommodate all walk-in parties. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Siloti says it didnt take long for requests for copies of the Hands Off Holland sign to start pouring in. I would encourage everyone to just continue through this process with us and see where it ends up.. We plan to resubmit our plan for future investment and infrastructure improvements at Holland Lake Lodge that is very much in line with our previously submitted Master Development Plan. 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. Located on the north side of Holland Lake near the East Holland Connector Trail (trail# 415) Trailhead. She declined to confirm POWDR is in control of the lodge and didnt discuss the ownership structure. I want to continue the legacy of this special, magical, wonderful lodge, he said. *30 guests or less. Holland Lake Lodge, Inc. and its joint venture partner, POWDR, announced that they have submitted aMaster Development Plan (MDP) to the U.S. Forest Serviceto improve accommodations atHolland Lake Lodge, a rustic lakeside resort located in the Swan Valley, which was originally built in 1924 and last updated in 1947. But the big white signs with blue text that read Hands off Holland represent a campaign of a different kind. 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. A proposed tuition freeze for Montana students flew past one hurdle this week in Helena. PublishedDecember 28, 2022 at 6:00 AM MST. So we have 100 years of permits for this thing, and no two permits are really giving us the same layout and acreage.. 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. In a brief email Thursday in response to questions about the permit and arrangement between POWDR and Wohlfeil, POWDR spokesperson Stacey Hutchinson disputed any changes, ostensibly to the special use permit. The proposal noted owners Christian Wohlfeil and POWDR, of Park City, Utah, had submitted the joint application to expand and improve the resort. Before joining States Newsroom Montana, she served as city editor of the Missoulian, the largest news outlet in western Montana. Thanks for subscribing! After getting few nibbles, he againlisted itwith a Bozeman realtor in 2019 for $3.49 million. The MDP proposes to restore the old lodge, add buildings, and upgrade infrastructure within the existing 15-acre permit area. Mark Hodge, McCain's marketing director, said: 'When we saw how popular cooking our chips in air fryers had become, it was a no-brainer to move quickly to include air fryer instructions.' 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. The Flathead National Forest was to hold a public meeting on Thursday night about a proposal to remove 10 aging. by Keila Szpaller, Daily Montanan October 15, 2022. However, it said corporations regularly try to get around ownership and control provisions, and it alleges the Forest Service has been remiss in its lack of scrutiny of the joint venture and the parties arrangements. Not Subject to Regulations, Project Activity View 127 homes that sold recently in Brookfield, IL with a median transaction price of $257,000 at realtor.com. Holland Lake Lodge is best known for our dinners featuring fresh, local, seasonal ingredients. The Lodge is currently accepting bookings for the 2023 season, with limited availability. What will happen to water quality? The property was listed for sale for $4 million, but the final sale price wasnt disclosed. Currently, he said the lodging range is estimated at $200 to $240 a night for a smaller cabin that sleeps two people, and $400 to $450 a night for a cabin that sleeps four to six, not including meals (no glamping, he said). update to your home value. Please call or message about having items shipped directly to you, as they make the perfect gift! Right now, the foundation of the lodge is crumbling, and wed like to put it on an actual foundation and preserve it for future generations, Wohlfeil said. Following an outbreak of more than 50 cases of measles near the Washington/Oregon border last week, doctors and nurses at Community Medical Ce, In Montana, its illegal to drive a car or ride as a passenger without a seat belt, yet seat belts are not required onschool buses that trans. The public is confused, and now the Forest Service is confused. 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. We remain steadfast and optimistic to fulfill the vision for Holland Lake Lodge that many Montana residents, and other Americans support. 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. She said an environmental assessment or EIS are still possible. 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. Buying a home for the first time can be terrifyingly intimidating A pre-approval letter from a lender makes your offer stronger. 1947 Holland Lake Lodge Rd, Condon MT 59826. 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. 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. 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. Contact reporter Laura Lundquist atlundquist@missoulacurrent.com. Holland Lake Lodge is a soulful place, where families spend time in the outdoors with the people they love. Holland Lake Lodge operates on public land in the Flathead National Forest under the special use permit, which is valid through 2036. POWDR - an adventure lifestyle corporation based in Park City, Utah, that owns 10 ski resorts, including Snowbird in Utah, Copper Mountain in Colorado and Killington in Vermont - soon stepped in. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons licence CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Altogether, the facility hosted up to 45 guests during the summer months, making it a popular spot for weddings and other events looking for that authentic Montana feel. The existing 4,600-square-foot lodge was built the following year and includes nine guest rooms and a restaurant. Daily Montanan maintains editorial independence. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Use the widget below to browse documents associated with this project. Grace Siloti and her husband own and operate Mission Mountains Mercantile. Learn more about proposed improvement plans and how you can weigh in below. Alternatively, these documents can be accessed on the Pinyon Public website: View Documents on Pinyon Public, https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61746. She also said the Forest Service will conduct an environmental assessment at a minimum if the expansion moves forward, contrary to an earlier preliminary decision to exempt the proposal from a thorough environmental review. 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. Oops! 8717, 1947 Holland Lake Lodge Rd, Condon, MT 59826, 2023 by POWDR. (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. Driving north from Seeley Lake to Condon, the first sign pops up about 6 miles before the turn onto Holland Lake Road. It will prioritize renewable energy and precautions to prevent negative water, air, or soil impacts. 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. Brookfield Properties is lead by a group of innovative leaders, bringing fresh perspective to the real estate industry. 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. After the sale, Gardner said he was looking for whats next., I stumbled upon this opportunity, he said.