05-13-03KALISPELL CITY PLANNING BOARD & ZONING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
(� \ MAY 13, 2003
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL
The regular meeting of the Kalispell City Planning Board and
CALL
Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Board
members present were: Ron Van Natta, Rick Hull, Jean
Johnson, Jim Atkinson, Sue Ellyn Anderson and Timothy
Norton. George Taylor was I absent. Narda Wilson
represented the Tri-City Planning Office. There were
approximately 7 people in the audience.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Johnson moved and Anderson seconded to approve the
minutes of the Kalispell City Planning Board and Zoning
Commission special meeting of April 29, 2003.
The motion passed unanimously on a vote by acclamation.
HEAR THE PUBLIC
No one wished to speak.
MEADOW PARK INITIAL
The City of Kalispell has initiated annexation proceedings for
ZONING
Meadow Park and adjoining property to the west under MCA
7-2-4301, Annexation of Contiguous Land. The Kalispell City
Council passed Resolution 4782 to annex the area on May 5,
2003.
STAFF REPORT
Narda Wilson, with the Tri-City Planning Office, gave a
KA-03-9
presentation of staff report KA-03-9, initial zoning of
approximately 49 acres of mostly residential property in
Meadow Park subdivision, located southeast of Kalispell,
primarily south of Kelly Road.
Wilson stated that this is the first phase of probably a three
phase annexation of the Greenacres area by the City and this
is known as the Meadow Park Annexation. All properties
proposed for annexation are currently on Kalispell sewer and
water or have access to sewer and water. Wilson stated that
a letter was sent to all property owners included in the
annexation area, plus all property owners within 150 feet of
the annexation boundaries. She said that the Kalispell City
Council annexed this area on May 5, 2003, and that they
chose to annex the area before the hearing on the zoning.
She noted that the staff attempted to provide a
recommendation for City zoning similar to what the area is
zoned currently under the County. She stated that the
residential areas contain approximately 30 acres and are
currently zoned County R-5, a Two Family Residential that
allows duplexes and single family dwellings as permitted
uses and has a 5400 square foot minimum lot size
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of May 13, 2003
Page 1
requirement. Wilson said that the closest City zone is City R-
4, Two Family Residential which is duplex/ single family
zone, with a minimum lot size of 6000 square feet. She
stated that the staff is recommending an R-4 zoning
designation for the residential area upon annexation.
Wilson stated that the area to the west, which is currently,
zoned I-1, Light Industrial contains about 19 acres. She
stated that staff is recommending that City B-5, an
Industrial / Commercial zoning designation be assigned to
that property, because it reflects the same uses as the
current County I-1, but accommodates a broader range of
uses than the City I-1 zone does. She said that the property
does not create nonconforming uses when annexed and
zoned as B-5.
Wilson stated that the Kalispell Growth Policy anticipates
these residential areas to develop as urban residential, so
that the proposed City R-4 zoning complies with anticipated
use in the area. She stated that that is about 30 acres of the
49 acres and that the remaining 19 acres are anticipated to
develop as Light Industrial. She stated that the
recommended zoning complies with the Kalispell Growth
Policy and is also a close reflection of existing zoning on
property.
PUBLIC HEARING
The public hearing was opened to those who wished to speak
on the issue.
No one wished to speak and the public hearing was closed.
MOTION
Atkinson moved and Norton seconded to adopt staff report
KA-03-9 as findings of fact and, based on these findings,
recommend to the Kalispell City Council that the initial
zoning for residential areas of Meadow Park be City R-4, Two
Family Residential, and B-5, Industrial/Commercial for the
other areas.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Atkinson asked Wilson if it was true that industrial zoning
could not be annexed into the city, and the B-5 area is
currently County I-1.
Wilson answered that there are caveats to that rule and that
the properties actually have waivers to protest annexation
because they are connected to utilities. She also stated that
the two properties zoned I-1 are already in the city and were
annexed earlier.
ROLL CALL
The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of May 13, 2003
Page 2
GRACE INITIAL ZONING A request by Scott and Wanda Grace for an initial zoning
UPON ANNEXATION designation of R-4, Two Family Residential, on approximately
one acre located at the southern terminus of Fourth Avenue
West upon annexation.
Anderson disclosed that her employer, Glacier Bank, is
involved with the project but that she has not personal
interest or gain. The rest of the board was agreed that this
was not a reason for her to step down on this project.
STAFF REPORT Narda Wilson, with the Tri-City Planning Office, gave a
KA-03-10 presentation of staff report KA-03-10, a request for initial
zoning upon annexation of approximately one acre located at
the southern terminus of Fourth Avenue West.
Wilson stated that this is an approximately one acre portion
of a tract proposed for annexation and will be subdivided at
some point in the future. She stated that it will probably
come in as a minor subdivision and will go directly to the city
council. She stated that the property is currently zoned R-5,
a Two Family Residential zoning district in the County that
allows duplexes and single family dwellings as permitted
uses. The closest zoning designation to that is City R-4,
which also allows duplexes and single family homes but
requires a slightly larger lot size. She stated that the utilities
for the site are in the road to the west with a fire hydrant at
the end of the road. The extension of utilities to the site
would be simple. She said all residential uses in the area are
similar to that being proposed, primarily single family
residential and some duplex units. She noted that there is a
duplex on the Hunter Addition immediately to the west and
that the plans to develop this property are entirely consistent
with the neighborhood, and the kind of development we
would anticipate for the area. She said that the Kalispell
Growth Policy anticipates this area to develop as Urban
Residential and the R-4 zoning designation is consistent with
that designation and public utilities are readily available.
PUBLIC HEARING The public hearing was opened to those who wished to speak
on the issue.
APPLICANT/AGENCIES Tom Sands, 2 Village Loop, Kalispell, stated that they have
been helping the developers, Scott and Wanda Grace, with
the project and that he is here to answer questions. He
stated that Scott and Wanda Grace and Scott's grandmother,
the owner of the property, are also here to answer questions.
Scott Grace, the property owner and applicant stated he felt
there is a shortage of upscale townhouses available which
are attractive to a certain type of clientele. He stated that
there are not enough single level townhomes on the market.
He said that he uses all local contractors, which keeps
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of May 13, 2003
Page 3
dollars in the valley. The development will have off street
parking, and because they are single level, they will not block
anyone's view. He said that water and sewer will be available
to others at the end of the street, if they want to connect, and
that the townhouse yards will be fenced and landscaped. He
stated that the land has been in his family for 50 years and it
has sat vacant.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jan Cusick, who lives at the top of 4th Avenue West, said her
concern is that 4th Avenue West is very narrow with no alley
access. She said that the traffic is bad and that they have
had problems with people parking on the street, and children
play in the street constantly. She stated that traffic is very
bad, particularly during football games. She said that she
has 10 acres with horses and that Ashley Creek is right
there, and that she has worries about her liability with kids
sledding, etc. She is worried about the increase in traffic and
kids running around.
No one else wished to speak and the public hearing was
closed.
MOTION
Norton moved and Johnson seconded to adopt staff report
KA-03-10 as finding of fact and, based on these findings,
recommended to the Kalispell City Council that the initial
zoning for this property should be R-4, Two Family
Residential, on approximately one acre upon annexation to
the City.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Norton thanked the Graces for seeing the need in the
community for single level townhomes.
Wilson spoke to concerns about on street parking stating
that the design they have discussed for any future
subdivision would involve a cul-de-sac which would come off
of 4th and be built to city standards. She stated that any
additional development that would occur would be from the
new city street with new access to those lots with off street
parking. She stated that any additional on street parking
should be minimal.
Van Natta asked if it would be an extension of 4th Avenue
West to the south. Wilson said it would be.
ROLL CALL
The motion passed on a roll call vote.
RHODES ZONING TEXT
A request by Mark Rhodes to amend Section 27.13.020 of
AMENDMENT REQUEST
the Kalispell Interim Zoning Ordinance, permitted uses in
the B-1, Neighborhood Buffer District, to allow limited drive
through facilities and residential uses as additional
permitted uses in the district.
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of May 13, 2003
Page 4
STAFF REPORT Narda Wilson, with the Tri-City Planning Office, gave a
KZTA-03-3 presentation of staff report KZTA-03-3, a request for a zoning
text amendment to allow limited drive through facilities and
residential uses as additional permitted uses in the B-1,
Neighborhood Buffer District.
Wilson stated that the applicant wants to do a small espresso
drive through, which is not permitted in the B-1 district. She
stated that the applicant convinced her that if it was on a
small enough scale, and if it were limited in size and the
number of driving lanes, it would be a use that would
contribute to that district. She stated that there is a small
single family dwelling located on the lot, and there are no
residential uses listed in the B-1 zone even though it is
described as a transition area for residential uses. She
stated that this was an opportunity not only to address the
applicant's needs and plans, but an opportunity to take a
closer look at the B-1 zone to reflect the mixed use district it
was intended to be.
Wilson stated that they are recommending some
nonsubstantive changes to the B-1 zone and the intention is
to clean up some of the language that is superfluous. She
said that residential uses are part of application, but that it
was inconsistent to have accessory apartments as a
conditionally permitted use so that was moved to a permitted
use category. She stated that the rest of the changes were
minor tweaks that provided clarification.
Duplex and single family residences are recommended as
permitted uses and multifamily and bed and breakfasts are
recommended as conditional uses. Wilson said that she saw
this as a way to further develop a mixed use zoning district
that could apply to other areas of city.
Wilson stated that the uses that have been added will be
complementary uses of the district, further goals of the
growth policy, and as a neighborhood buffer district it seems
reasonable there should be a certain mix of residential uses.
PUBLIC HEARING The public hearing was opened to those who wished to speak
on the issue.
APPLICANT/AGENCIES Mark Rhodes, 72 Park Street, the applicant for the changes
stated he was looking for a location that would not impact
another espresso business. He stated this property is on
North Main and that they looked at traffic impacts; they
looked for a location in a neighborhood and wanted. to
channel traffic through their location not create more. He
said they wanted to use the small house on the property and
to combine the two, the rental house and the drive through,
into one permitted use.
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of May 13, 2003
Page 5
MOTION
Johnson moved and Atkinson seconded to adopt staff report
KZTA-03-3 as findings of fact and recommend amending
Section 27.13.020 of the Kalispell Interim Zoning Ordinance
to allow limited drive through facilities and residential uses
as permitted uses in the B-1 Zoning District.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Atkinson asked if the Healing Church was close to this
location. Wilson answered the church is zoned R-3 further to
the north, and that the location mentioned is just across the
highway from Flathead Credit Union.
Johnson reminded the board that this is a request for a
zoning text amendment for the entire city, not a single
property. He wanted to applaud staff for bringing it forward
with the other changes to the B-1 zone.
Wilson agreed this is not geared to a specific property and
the board should be asking, "Is it appropriate for all B-1
zoning"? She said that there is not that much B-1 zoning in
the City. She noted the text amendment would bring the
bank into compliance, although the square footage may be
over by a little bit.
Norton stated that he feels we should be more broad based,
and that our zoning should not be so restrictive.
Atkinson also applauded staff for bringing this forward with
the additional changes, and being open-minded enough to
take a look at it. He stated he felt they were supporting a
citizen as well as the citizenry.
Hull asked if the B-1 zone is in residential areas, and if it is
surrounded by houses, then he feels that a drive through is a
rather intensive. use and that neighbors may then want a
commercial use for their houses.
Wilson answered it is typically on a corner of minor arterials
or collectors, and that the answer would be no, they are not
surrounded by houses. She stated that the next time a text
amendment comes up, a map of the affected areas might be
helpful.
ROLL CALL
The motion passed on a roll call vote with Hull voting
against.
OLD BUSINESS
This is Ron Van Natta's last meeting.
Atkinson thanked VanNatta for his service to the Board and
the City Council.
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of May 13, 2003
Page 6
NEW BUSINESS Wilson stated that with Ron Van Natta leaving, a new
planning board member will be appointed on June 2, 2003
by the mayor and council and will be seated on June 10 for
that meeting. She stated that George Taylor, as vice-
president, would now be president if he wants the position.
A new vice president will be named June loth.
She stated the board would be looking at their annual work
program for the coming year fiscal year. She said they would
take the update of the "master plan" / growth policy off the
work program list and the zoning ordinance should probably
be moving to the top of the list. Wilson said they would
probably need to schedule a work session in June after the
new member is seated to review the work program. She will
include a list of last year's work program so that the Board
can think about which project should be added to the list.
Wilson said the council has been looking at updating the
sign ordinance as a project and it would be a good idea to
prioritize some of the zoning ordinance chapters beforehand.
She said that some of the growth policy specifically dealt with
zoning ordinances and changes should further goals and
policies.
Hull asked why the pressure for single family homes all of a
sudden.
Wilson answered that the actual hot market at present are
the duplex townhouses and that part of it is the aging of our
population. She said that retirees don't want yard upkeep.
Wilson stated that we are lacking in multifamily development
and that we should make multifamily development easier to
accomplish. She said that building permits show that we are
in a major boom time.
Johnson says he has never had anyone call wanting to buy a
whole subdivision before now and agreed we are in a boom.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:10 p.m. The
next meeting of the Kalispell City Planning Board and Zoning
Commission will be held on Tuesday, June 10, 2003.
n
Ron Van Natta,
President
Judi Funk
Recording Secretary
0
APPROVED as submitted/corrected: / /03
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of May 13, 2003
Page 7