Helena MT Lake Home's & Other Great Properties

"Most of the people who commented Tuesday on a proposed cell tower at the north end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir agreed that it’s needed, but some asked that the site be moved so it wouldn't interfere as much with views of the water and surrounding mountains. Steve Mosby said he owns property within a few thousand feet of the proposed cell tower site, which he’s offered to Verizon as an alternative to the current proposed location. As the proposal stands, the tower would sit directly in front of where John Cribb has plans to construct a home. The site is north of Canyon Ferry Road and east of O’Malley’s Pub and Restaurant. “Steve’s site … puts the tower off to the right of me and solves the issue completely,” Cribb told Lewis and Clark County Commissioners Andy Hunthausen and Derek Brown. “There’s already access and power there and we think it would be an excellent site for the tower.” Mosby said he had proposed it to Verizon representatives years ago, but Paul Slotemaker with RealCom Associates — which is representing Verizon under this proposal — said he hadn’t heard anything about the proposal and didn’t recognize the names of people Mosby said he talked to. “I’m not an employee of Verizon; I know folks who contact properties regarding wireless communication,” Slotemaker said. “I’m not sure if there’s some confusion on whether they’re talking to Verizon or some other wireless company, but I don’t know the names he mentioned.” Hunthausen recommended that Slotemaker get together with some of the neighbors to see if they could work something out. Others at the meeting stressed how important it is to have cell phone communication in the area for emergencies. Caron Griffith noted how her vehicle plunged down a steep cliff in 2007, seriously injuring her, and although she had a cell phone with her she didn’t have any reception. “It’s only by the grace of God that I’m here,” Griffith said. “For safety and for health reasons, the cell tower would be most appropriate.” As of Monday, the county planning office had received 42 comments in favor of the proposal, as well as five petitions, and 37 opposed to it. While the debate has centered about whether to allow installation of the 197-foot-tower, Tuesday’s hearing was focused on two proposed variances for William Morey’s 70-acre property. He wants to carve off a 2,998-square-foot parcel to lease or convey to Verizon Wire for the tower, but in order to do so needs variances requiring landscaping around a fence surrounding the tower and adjacent utility building, and not having to provide water for fire protection. Slotemaker told the commission that the structures will have their own chemical fire retardation system, which has been endorsed by Tri-Lakes Fire Chief Bob Drake. “He suggested it to me when I was preparing the application,” Slotemaker said. Brown said that made sense, but seemed a little more hesitant about the proposal to have a chain-link fence with earth-toned slats around the structure instead of foliage to screen it from the neighbors. “It seems like to grant a variance there needs to be a hardship for you, but it seems like a greater hardship for the neighbors, screening residential from commercial,” Brown said. “I don’t know that you can screen it entirely but you could make some attempt.” Slotemaker said it wasn’t realistic to plant trees or shrubs in an area where it’s mainly a high-mountain desert. The commissioner closed the public hearing, but won’t make a decision on the request for the variances until their May 24 meeting, which Commissioner Mike Murray can be present. He’s attending a governmental conference in New Mexico all week. Reporter Eve Byron: 447-4076 or eve.byron@helenair.com Follow Eve on Twitter at IR_EveByron "

On a recent listing appointment I came across the cutest baby birds, whose mother had made her nest on the barbecue grill. The little tweeting and little birds were so sweet, i just had to take a picture. I think this new life means great things for our seller in East Helena, MT. What a great omen!

Very interesting article by the Helena IR today. The county Commissioners are discussing whether or not to install at cell phone tower at Canyon Ferry Lake. The proposed site would be located east of O'Malleys. Having lived at the lake I can see the plus side to having a cell phone reception, however I am sure it will be an eye sore for who ever has to look at it. Maybe they can find a hidden place!

"A controversial cell tower near the north end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir will be discussed today at the Lewis and Clark County Commission meeting.

Installation of the 197-foot tower was debated for three hours at an April 24 commission meeting, but due to problems with the legal public notice for the item, commissioners were forced to put off making a decision. Instead, they’re expected to decide either at their May 22 or 24 meeting whether to allow a 2,998-square foot parcel to be subdivided from owner William Morey’s 70-acre plot, which would allow for the tower to be built.

Rebecca Shaw, a county planner, said today’s meeting will be focused on the two variance requests by Morey regarding landscaping around a fence surrounding the structure and not having to provide water for fire protection.

“We are not actually going through the whole application again, since we did that at the earlier meeting,” Shaw said. “We will be taking public comments on the variance requests.”

No well is proposed for the site, which is why the applicant is seeking a variance for landscaping. The structure also has its own chemical fire protection system.

As of Monday, the county planning office had received 42 comments in favor of the proposal, as well as five petitions, and 37 opposed to it.

Proponents of the tower say it’s needed for safety reasons, since cellphone reception is limited at the popular reservoir 15 miles east of Helena. They note instances where people who were involved in boating, swimming and vehicle accidents have had to knock on residents’ doors seeking a land-line in order to call for help.

People who are opposed to the tower mainly cite aesthetics as the reason why they don’t want to see it erected. They note that the tower will be visible from the lake, and that in order to be installed a 12-degree slope will have to be flattened and the drainage rerouted.

An adjacent property owner added that if he built a home as planned, the tower would be in his view of the reservoir.

The proposed cell tower site is north of Canyon Ferry Road and east of O’Malley’s Pub and Restaurant. The tower would be operated by Verizon Wireless.

County planning staff is not offering a recommendation on the proposal.

The commission meeting is set to begin at 9 a.m. in the third-floor commission chambers in the City/County Building on Park Avenue."

The West Valley of Helena, Montana offers dramtic landscapes. From sprawling ranches, hillside homes, creekfront homes etc. We have hiking, biking, golf at Green Meadow Country Club and swimming and fishing at Spring Meadow Lake(more suited for kids, not for professional anglers). We have wildlife, views, and are a quick jump to both Missoula & Bozeman.

I meant to post this information last week. I had such a wonderful lunch at Great Harvest in Helena, MT. They have amazing soups, hot sandwiches and this Brownie Bread that is just to die for. I think I ate an entire loaf once, seriously it is that good. And if the food wasn't reason to go there in its self, the atmosphere is really cool. Try  Great Harvest!