02-11-03KALISPELL CITY PLANNING BOARD & ZONING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
FEBRUARY 11, 2003
CALL TO ORDER AND
The regular meeting of the Kalispell City Planning Board and
ROLL CALL
Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Board
members present were: Ron Van Natta, George Taylor, Jim
Atkinson, Rick Hull, Timothy Norton, and Sue Ellyn Anderson.
Jean Johnson was absent. Narda Wilson represented the Tri-
City Planning Office. There were approximately 12 people in the
audience.
SEATING OF NEW
Timothy Norton and Rick Hull were welcomed to the board
MEMBERS
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Taylor moved and Atkinson seconded the motion to elect Ron
Van Natta as President of the Kalispell City Planning Board and
Zoning Commission.
\i
The motion passed unanimously on a vote by acclamation.
Mo' Ot►
Atkinson moved and Anderson seconded the motion to elect
George Taylor as Vice President of the Kalispell City Planning
Board and Zoning Commission.
\IO'CE
The motion passed unanimously on a vote by acclamation.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Taylor moved and Atkinson seconded the motion to approve the
minutes of the Kalispell City Planning Board and Zoning
Commission special meeting of December 30, 2002 as
submitted.
On a vote by acclamation the motion passed unanimously.
WIND RIVER
A request by Wind River Development Corp for an initial zoning
DEVELOPMENT CORP
designation of R-2, Single Family Residential, upon annexation
INITIAL ZONING
on approximately 32 acres located on the east side of Willow
Glen Drive, south and west of Leisure Drive.
WIND RIVER
A request by Wind River Development Corp for preliminary plat
DEVELOPMENT CORP,
approval of Leisure Heights, a 67-lot residential subdivision on
LEISURE HEIGHTS
approximately 32 acres in conjunction with the annexation of
PRELIMINARY PLAT
the property and designation of initial zoning of R-2.
STAFF REPORT #KA-03-2
Narda Wilson, with the Tri-City Planning Office, gave a
& KPP-03-1
presentation of staff report KA-03-2, a request for annexation
and initial zoning on approximately 32.354 acres on the east
side of Willow Glen Drive south of Leisure Drive concurrent with
staff report KPP-03-1, a request for preliminary plat approval of
a 67-lot residential subdivision. The zoning district is intended
primarily for single-family homes. The subdivision would be
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developed in three phases over a period of time up to five years.
Staff reviewed the proposed phases of development and the
findings of fact in the staff reports. Upon conclusion staff
recommended an initial zoning designation of City R-2, upon
annexation of the property. Staff also recommended the request
for preliminary plat be granted subject to 15 conditions, with an
additional condition requiring a ten -foot right of way be reserved
on the east site of Willow Glen Drive for future right-of-way
acquisition.
Wilson noted a conversation with County Road Department
Superintendent and the Parks and Recreation Director regarding
the need for a pedestrian access along the east side of Willow
Glen Drive. After further discussion it became apparent that
there is a real possibility of developing bike and pedestrian trail
along Willow Glen Drive that would involve a collective effort and
cooperation from the County. This plan would include potential
funds from the subdivision to the south, the Willows, who still
have outstanding work that needs to be done for the creation
buffer area between the road and Willow Glen Drive. The money
for the buffer area for the Willows, along with money for the
buffer from this subdivision and cash in lieu of parkland money
for the area could be placed in a fund that could be eligible for a
federal match. Money and right-of-way from the County may be
forthcoming. This would allow the project to be funded ideally
from Four Corners to Woodland Park Avenue. Staff suggested
language for amending condition #5 to reflect this
recommendation.
Taylor asked and Wilson said the first choice would be to try
and get everyone together to leverage enough money to do the
project. If that didn't happen the second alternative would be
the landscape buffer.
Wilson clarified that staff was recommending two amendments,
an additional condition for a 10-foot right of way reservation
along Willow Glen Drive and a cash -in -lieu payment on the
buffer between Willow Glen Drive and the subdivision to be used
as part of a match for future construction of a pedestrian and
bike trail
Van Natta wanted it to be clear this would be at the City's
discretion and in accordance with the plan.
APPLICANT/AGENCIES Bob Stauffer, with Schwartz Engineering, stated they generally
agreed with the staff report and appreciated the support they
had been given for this subdivision. There were only two minor
concerns relating to the recommended conditions. Regarding
condition #5 he said the owners thought sidewalk and
pedestrian access was a good idea and they didn't have any
problem with the recommended changes. Regarding condition
13 he asked the wording be changed to read, "infrastructure for
each phase of the project be completed prior to final plat of that
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phase" so that it would be clear regarding the phasing and
improvements.
PUBLIC HEARING
The public hearing was opened to those who wished to speak on
the issue. -
PUBLIC COMMENT
Joy Mahlum, 300 Leisure Dr., spoke in favor of the proposal
stating it has been owned by her family for at least for years.
She noted their family sold the property to the south where
Leisure Subdivision now lies. She currently lives in the middle
of the development and felt that with growing suburban
locations she was aware of an increasing demand for building
sites. She said the planning office viewed this change as a
natural extension and thought the subdivision fit the area. She
said they would work to maintain the standards of the area.
Her family found this to be the right time for this and decided it
was important to control it with planning. There would be
gradual development that would occur in phases, plus
covenants and architectural review. Their plan was to keep the
character of the existing Leisure Drive area and meet the
standards of the community. They were excited about the
project and felt it was a good opportunity for the neighbors.
Glenn Graham, 739 Greenridge Dr., said he had no qualms with
the subdivision, but wanted a couple of things clarified. On
Page 4 it noted a 60-foot right of way along Willow Glen Drive
which was not true. He said the north end of the road had only
a 40-foot easement. He was happy to see the status of Willow
Glen as being a minor arterial and his only warning was if
someone extended the La Salle connector additional
consideration needs to be given to the impacts of Willow Glen
Drive. He said he did not think the LaSalle Connector was a
good idea in light of this subdivision.
No one else wished to speak and the public hearing was closed.
MOTION
Taylor moved and Atkinson seconded the motion to adopt staff
report KA-03-2 as findings of fact and forward a
recommendation to the Kalispell City Council to adopt R-2,
Residential, upon annexation.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Atkinson had concerns about not having a growth policy and
Wilson said they were going from single family to single family,
and this area was recognized as suburban residential in both
the Master Plan and the Growth Policy and was not considered a
"substantive change" as addressed in the Attorney General's
Opinion.
Atkinson asked if the entire 32 acres would be annexed, brought
into the city and zoned at the time of initial application and
Wilson said, yes it would be.
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ROLL CALL
The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
MOTION
Atkinson moved and Anderson seconded the motion to adopt
staff report KPP-03-1 as findings of fact and recommend to the
Kalispell City Council that the preliminary plat be approved
subject to 15 conditions.
MOTION (AMENDMENT)
Taylor moved and Atkinson seconded the motion to amend
condition #5 to read, a cash -in -lieu payment equivalent to the
cost of the landscaping be placed in a fund to provide a match
for a pedestrian trail and landscaping along Willow Glen Drive;
or at the City's discretion, that a minimum 20-foot wide
landscape buffer be developed.
ROLL CALL
The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Norton asked and Wilson explained the time frame for the City.
She said there would be contingencies, but it could be within 2
to 3 years.
Atkinson commented that it would fall in line with the phases.
MOTION (AMENDMENT)
Atkinson moved and Taylor seconded the motion to add
condition # 16 to read, a 10-foot right of way reservation shall be
designated on the plat and included in the 20-foot buffer.
ROLL CALL
The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
MOTION (AMENDMENT)
Taylor moved and Atkinson seconded the motion to amend
condition # 13 to read, infrastructure for each phase of the
subdivision shall be completed prior to final plat of each phase.
ROLL CALL
The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Atkinson asked and Wilson answered that Leisure Drive would
be upgraded to city standards within the boundaries of the
subdivision.
Atkinson questioned lots 3D and 3F and Wilson answered that,
yes, they were out of the subdivision and one property owner
was in the audience. She said they were interested in
connecting to City services once they became available and
would be required to annex at the time of connection.
Norton asked the developer if they had a deadline on each phase
for completion and Stauffer said there was a time period for final
plat approval of 3 years. He said they would like to proceed
faster, depending on how the lots sell.
Van Natta complimented them on a well laid out subdivision.
He noted a concern about the bank on the road not allowing for
site distance and said he hoped it would be graded. He asked
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that be suggested to the engineering department.
Atkinson asked if the cul-de-sac had gone through site review
and the Fire Department and Wilson said that was a design
issue. When the roadways were designed it would be reviewed
by the Kalispell Public Works Department for compliance with
the Kalispell Design and Construction Standards and would
need to comply.
ROLL CALL (MAIN)
The amended motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
NIPO, LLC INITIAL
A request by NIPO, LLC for an initial zoning designation of B-2,
ZONING
General Business, upon annexation into the city of Kalispell on
approximately 9.33 acres that lies between Hwy 93 south and
Willow Glen Drive north of Lower Valley Road.
STAFF REPORT #KA-03-1
Wilson said it was her understanding that was still the plan and
that commitments had been made on the part of the City and
the design was included as part of the MDOT project.
APPLICANT/AGENCIES
Jim Burton, surveyor for the project, said they were anticipating
that utilities would be extended to that area and they were
trying to stay ahead of the curve. There were no plans at this
time for a project.
PUBLIC HEARING
The public hearing was opened to those who wished to speak on
the issue.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No one wished to speak and the public hearing was closed.
MOTION
Taylor moved and Anderson seconded the motion to adopt staff
report KA-03-1 as findings of fact and forward a
recommendation to the Kalispell City Council that the initial
zoning for this property should be B-2, General Business, upon
annexation.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Wilson pointed out that it wasn't really under the board's
purview whether the property should be annexed. She said
their issue dealt with what the zoning should be upon
annexation to the City.
Norton asked if they could recommend approval of the zoning
upon receiving city services.
Atkinson asked what advantage or disadvantage there was to
zoning it now and Wilson said when it does get annexed it would
developed to City standards and would be reviewed for
compliance. The provision of City utilities would allow the
development of the site at a higher and more intensive use than
without utilities. If the property were to be developed prior to
receiving services with less quality and desirable uses, it would
be difficult to try to redevelop the property at a later date.
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Atkinson asked about relative taxes and Wilson said the
property owner would be subject to City assessments, but not
prior to annexation.
Wilson stated that until the property was annexed it would stay
County B-2. She advocated reasons for zoning the property
now.
ROLL CALL
The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
OLD BUSINESS
Wilson reviewed the status of the Growth Policy. She said the
only significant change prior to formal consideration by the
Kalispell City Council was the creation and clarification on the
amendment process. The neighborhood plan process was
broken down into two processes; one, a neighborhood plan
amendment, and two, a general plan amendment. The other
issue was that the 65 acres on the northeast corner of La Salle
and Reserve be designated commercial. She said it was still
controversial but the Council was considering the growth policy
for final adoption on Tuesday, February 18th. She said the
planning board did a great job and the council was grateful for
the planning boards' work and of the document.
Wilson added that once the plan was adopted the West View
Estates subdivision would come back before the board for plat
approval and zoning.
NEW BUSINESS
Atkinson noted his correct e-mail address should be made to the
list and is icatk(@,montanasky.net
Mayor Kennedy stated that from the bottom of all their hearts on
the city council they appreciated the excellent document that
was presented to them and the hard work. She thanked the
board for their service and welcomed Tim Norton and Rick Hull
to the board.
Wilson suggested the planning board begin a review of a work
program in April. It might be worthwhile to go through the
growth policy document and put together a list of items that
require work and / or amendments to existing documents. The
work program would be forwarded onto the city council for their
review to see if their priorities are the same.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. The next regular
meeting of the Kalispell City Planning Board and Zoning
mission will be held on March 11, 2003.
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R Van Natt P 'de f e Board Debbie llis, Recording Secre ary
PPR'OVED s
, mitted/corrected: —�3 /03
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