09-13-22 Planning Board Minutes DRAFT (002)KALISPELL CITY PLANNING BOARD & ZONING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
September 13, 2022
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL
The regular meeting of the Kalispell City Planning Board and Zoning
CALL
Commission was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Board members present were
Chad Graham, Doug Kauffman, Rory Young, Joshua Borgardt, Pip
Burke, Kurt Vomfell, and Kevin Aurich. PJ Sorensen, Kari Barnhart,
Katharine King, and Jarod Nygren represented the Kalispell Planning
Department.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Vomfell moved and Aurich seconded a motion to approve the minutes of
the July 12, 2022, meeting of the Kalispell City Planning Board and
Zoning Commission.
VOTE BY ACCLAMATION
The motion passed unanimously on a vote of acclamation.
HEAR THE PUBLIC
None.
MORNING STAR COURT
A request for public comment regarding the Morning Star Court
COMMUNITY WATER &
Community Water and Wastewater Improvement Project application to
WASTEWATER IMPROVEMENT
the Montana Department of Commerce, Community Development Block
PROJECT
Grant Planning Grant Public and Community Facilities Grant program.
This proposed project will be explained, including the purpose and
proposed area of the project, activity, budget and possible sources of
funding.
STAFF REPORT
Nygren introduced representative Danielle Maiden with NeighborWorks
Montana who gave a brief description of the project.
PUBLIC HEARING
None.
MORNING STAR COURTGREEN
A request for public comment regarding the Green Acres Court
ACRES COURT COMMUNITY
Community Wastewater Improvement Project application to the Montana
WATER & WASTEWATER
Department of Commerce, Community Development Block Grant
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Planning Grant Public and Community Facilities Grant program. This
proposed project will be explained, including the purpose and proposed
area of the project, activity, budget and possible sources of funding.
STAFF REPORT
Nygren introduced representative Danielle Maiden with NeighborWorks
Montana who gave a brief description of the prqject.
PUBLIC HEARING
None.
KA-22-07 — SCHOLER
File #KA-22-07 — A request from Loucas Scholer and Sarah Russell
ANNEXATION
(A/K/A Sarah Davis) for annexation and initial zoning designation of R-
4 (Residential) for two properties located at 2150 and 2152 Airport Road.
The annexation is to allow the properties to be connected to city water due
to a failing well. The properties can be described as (a) Tract B of
Certificate of Survey No. 3027, a tract of land situated, lying, and being
in the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 19, Township
28 North, Range 21 West, P.M.M., Flathead County, Montana, and (b)
Assessors Tract 2FB, being a portion of the southeast quarter of the
southeast quarter of Section 19, Township 28 North, Range 21 West,
P.M.M., Flathead County, Montana. A full metes and bounds description
is available upon request.
STAFF REPORT
PJ Sorensen representing the Kalispell Planning Department reviewed
Staff Report # KA-22-07.
Staff recommends that the Kalispell City Planning Board and Zoning
Commission adopt Staff Report #KA-22-07 as findings of fact and
recommend to the Kalispell City Council that the property be annexed and
the zoning for the property be city R-4 (Residential).
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of September 13, 2022
Page I 1
BOARD DISCUSSION
None.
PUBLIC HEARING
Sarah Russell — 2150 Airport Rd — requested annexation approval so her
house can have water service.
Katherine Stocker — 2152 Airport Rd — requested annexation approval so
her house can have water service.
MOTION — KA-22-07
Kauffman moved and Vomfell seconded a motion that the Kalispell City
Planning Board and Zoning Commission adopt Staff Report #KA-22-07
as findings of fact and recommend to the Kalispell City Council that the
property be annexed and the zoning for the property be city R-4
(Residential).
BOARD DISCUSSION
None.
ROLL CALL
Motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
KA-22-08 — GREEN ACRES
File #KA-22-08 - A request from Green Acres Cooperative, Inc., for
COOPERATIVE ANNEXATION
annexation and initial zoning designation of R-4 (Residential) for property
located at 1721 South Woodland Drive. The annexation is to allow the
property to be connected to city sewer due to a failing septic system for
an existing mobile home park. The property can be described as Lot 21
of Block I of Greenacres, according to the official plat thereof filed in
official records of Flathead County, Montana.
STAFF REPORT
PJ Sorensen representing the Kalispell Planning Department reviewed
Staff Report # KA-22-08.
Staff recommends that the Kalispell City Planning Board and Zoning
Commission adopt Staff Report #KA-22-08 as findings of fact and
recommend to the Kalispell City Council that the property be annexed and
the zoning for the property be city R-4 (Residential).
BOARD DISCUSSION
None.
PUBLIC HEARING
No comments.
MOTION — KA-22-08
Vomfell moved and Young seconded a motion that the Kalispell City
Planning Board and Zoning Commission adopt Staff Report #KA-22-08
as findings of fact and recommend to the Kalispell City Council that the
property be annexed and the zoning for the property be city R-4
(Residential).
BOARD DISCUSSION
None.
ROLL CALL
Motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
KCU-22-02 — EAGLES LOT
File #KCU-22-02 — A request from Montana Hotel Development Partners
DEVELOPMENT
and Bill Goldberg for a conditional use permit for a parking structure and
for additional height over sixty (60) feet, which is the height allowed by
right. The building would contain approximately 242 parking stalls on
four levels of parking with general commercial uses on the ground floor
and 78 residential units on the upper floors. The building would be eight
(8) stories, or approximately 88 feet tall. The property is located at
103/125 First Avenue West and can be described as Lots 17-24 of Block
46 of the Kalispell Original Township, as shown on the map or plat thereof
on file and of record in the office of the Clerk and Recorder, Flathead
County, Montana.
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of September 13, 2022
Page 12
STAFF REPORT
PJ Sorensen representing the Kalispell Planning Department reviewed Staff
Report # KCU-22-02.
Staff recommends that the Kalispell Planning Board adopt staff report
#KCU-22-02 as findings of fact and recommend to the Kalispell City
Council that the conditional use permit be approved.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Vomfell had questions regarding the purpose and need for the additional
height and where the burden to provide parking for the additional 78 units
falls. Sorensen responded that it is to allow for the residential component
and aesthetic components that blend in with downtown. Borgardt asked
staff for clarification regarding parking requirements for the apartments.
Nygren explained that the RFP only required parking for the hotel and that
this structure is adding additional spaces. Burke asked if shadows from
the structure have been considered. Shane Jacobs from A&E Design
presented a sun study for the proposed site. Aurich had questions
regarding the average height of Main Street buildings. Sorensen
responded they are 25-35 feet but in 2001, unlimited height became
allowable with a CUP. Nygren stated that there are buildings well over
100ft in historic districts throughout the state and that as an urban
environment is built, it is impossible to not to go higher. Young stated that
an 8-story building would not be visible from Main Street. Burke asked
what the reason is for the extra height. Jacobs explained that they
continued a parapet height to match the hotel across the alley. Young
requested staff to address the public comments from DM&L made on
behalf of the Kalispell Grand Hotel owners. Sorensen stated that the only
point relevant to CUP review is regarding the Downtown Plan. The
specifics of the plan do not say that downtown should be fixed by not
allowing anything outside of the height or scope. It is about having new
development and redevelopment fit within the general feeling of what is
there. Development and redevelopment are not fixed in the strict historical
sense. Nygren stated it is important for the public to know that regarding
the TIF, there is a submitted application to the Urban Renewal Agency.
Nygren added that the proposal that is in place is not changing and that it
is financed by the developer.
PUBLIC HEARING
John Hinchey — 534 4"' Ave E — opposes 8 stories because it greatly
exceeds any other structures in Kalispell aside from the Silos. It would
dwarf the shops along Main Street and feels that it is a disservice to the
100 years of history that is trying to be protected.
David Mitchell — 249 Sherry Lane —wants the Board members to
understand how important of a decision this is and feels that the building
is too large for the site. He is not sure that the mass of the building fits.
MOTION — KCU-22-02
Young moved and Vomfell seconded a motion that the Kalispell City
Planning Board and Zoning Commission adopt Staff Report KCU-22-02
as findings of fact and recommend to the Kalispell City Council that the
Conditional Use Permit be approved subject to the following conditions.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Young discussed the Board's responsibility under a Conditional Use
Permit; hear the public and then to assess the level and degree of the
positive and negative impacts of the conditional use, then make a
recommendation to City Council. He feels that additional 78 units is good
for downtown redevelopment and that the impact is more positive than
negative. Graham agreed and commented that the residential area will
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of September 13, 2022
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barely be visible from the street. Burke feels that what is being presented
is a great opportunity for Kalispell. Graham feels that the building fits and
that additional housing is a good thing. Borgardt stated that this is a good
design. The Board discussed the benefits of this building.
ROLL CALL
Motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
OLD BUSINESS
Nygren updated the board on the September 6t1' City Council Meeting.
Sorensen presented housing figures that show the increase of new housing
units in Kalispell since 2018 and the average median home prices in the
Valley and Lake County.
NEW BUSINESS
Nygren updated the board on the upcoming October 11t1' Planning Board
Meeting and the of possibility of developing a better process to annex
properties with failed wells.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:18 pm.
Chad Graham
President
APPROVED as submitted/amended:
Kirstin Robinson
Recording Secretary
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of September 13, 2022
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