03-14-23 - SignedKALISPELL CITY PLANNING BOARD & ZONING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
March 14, 2023
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL
The regular meeting of the Kalispell City Planning Board and Zoning Commission
CALL
was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Board members present were Chad Graham (chair),
Pip Burke, Kevin Aurich, Doug Kauffman, Rory Young, Kurt Vomfell, and Joshua
Borgardt. Kari Barnhart, PJ Sorensen, and Jarod Nygren represented the Kalispell
Planning Department.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Vomfell moved and Burke seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the February
14, 2023, 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,
KPP-22-07, KZC-22-05
A request from Owl Corporation and Flathead Village Greens, LLC, for a zone
STILLWATER VILLAGE
change from R-2 (Residential) to R-4 (Residential) covering approximately 182.15
acres, as well as a request for major preliminary plat approval for Stillwater Village,
a subdivision with eight (8) phases containing a total of 181 lots (67 detached single-
family and 114 attached single-family homes) on approximately 46.78 acres in lots,
streets, common areas, and land held for future development. Additionally, the plat
contains approximately 20.01 acres as park area and park access (for a total of
approximately 66.79 acres) to serve both the initial eight phases and future phases on
the overall property that are not part of the initial preliminary plat. The property is
located south of Silverbrook Estates, west of Highway 93 and Hagerman Lane, north
of Northern Pines Golf Course, and bordering the Stillwater River on the western
edge of the property. The property can be described as Tracts I and 2 of Certificate
of Survey No. 22183, on file and of record in Flathead County, Montana, located in
the SW 1/4 of the SE % and the SE % of the SW % of Section 13 and the N'/2 of the
NE '/ and the NE % of the NW '/4 of Section 24, Township 29 North, Range 22 West,
P.M.,M., City of Kalispell, Flathead County, Montana.
STAFF REPORT
PJ Sorensen representing the Kalispell Planning Department reviewed Staff Report
#KZC-22-05 and #KPP-22-07.
Staff recommends that the Kalispell City Planning Board and Zoning Commission
adopt staff reports #KZC-22-05 and #KPP-22-07 as findings of fact and recommend
to the Kalispell City Council that the zone change and preliminary plat for Stillwater
Village Phases 1-8 be approved subject to the conditions listed on the staff report.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Board members and staff discussed the Traffic Impact Study (TIS), wetland setback,
pedestrian access, lighting and light pollution, and issues with Highway 93.
Sorensen advised that the developer is only responsible for the impact that they create
and Haskins advised that the MDT is not required to move forward with the City's
TIS recommendations.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Susan Bergstrom - 135 W Monture Ct — Owns property adjacent to the proposed
subdivision - Expressed concerns about the lack of buffer between the 2 subdivisions,
traffic on Hwy 93, the zone change being uncharacteristic of Silverbrook or Northern
Pines, and losing her mountain views. She would like for the zoning to remain R-2.
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of March 14, 2023
Page;
Heather McDonald — 304 Fox Hollow Ct — Northern Pines HOA President — Has
concerns regarding density, Hwy 93 traffic, and light pollution. She requested a speed
study between Reserve Dr. and Church Dr..
Will Warberg — 102 Quail Ct — Supports Ms. McDonald's comments and requested
traffic mitigation recommendations.
Rodney Fowler — II5 Grouse Haven Way — Silverbrook HOA President — Is
concerned for motorist safety, loss of service, increased traffic on Hwy 93, and
density. He requested the Board delay their decision so staff can further evaluate and
encourage all parties to collaboratively address the Silverbrook HOA concerns.
Dennis Bar — 110 Sage Grouse Way — Expressed concerns for public safety due to
increased traffic and stated that there are contradictions between the staff report and
the TIS. He requested that this be sent back to the planning department to re-evaluate
the TIS.
Rob Braig — 210 Wild Pine Ct — Concerned about comments from Fish, Wildlife &
Wildlife comments, the lack of detail for the entire 182 acres, lighting, and higher
density for R-4 zoning. He requested plans for all 182 acres.
Eric Mulcahy — Sands Surveying — Representing the developer — Provided a brief
history of the parcel and advised that the developer did not apply for preliminary plat
for the entire 180 acres because it would be a massive project and they could not
predict the land use. He stated that that the TIS is presently under review with
Kalispell Public Works and MDT.
MOTION — KZC-22-05
Kauffman moved and Young seconded that the Kalispell Planning Board adopt staff
report #KZC-22-05 as findings of fact and recommend to the Kalispell City Council
that the zoning for the property be changed from R-2 (Residential) to R-4
(Residential).
BOARD DISCUSSION
Board members discussed comments regarding the zone change and how it fits in the
growth policy, the traffic impact study, the buffer between the subdivisions, and
street lighting.
ROLL CALL
Motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
MOTION — KPP-22-07
Young moved and Kauffman seconded that the Kalispell Planning Board adopt staff
report #KPP-22-07 as findings of fact and recommend to the Kalispell City Council
that the preliminary plat for Stillwater Village Phases 1-8 be approved subject to the
conditions listed on the staff report.
None.
BOARD DISCUSSION
ROLL CALL
Motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
KPP-23-02 BITTERROOT
A request from Michael Sandefer for preliminary plat approval for Bitterroot Heights
HEIGHTS NO.2
No. 2, a major subdivision containing approximately 4.2 acres. The subdivision
would include 13 single family lots and park area. The property is generally located
on the west side of North Riding Road and south of West Northview Loop, and
includes property currently addressed as 249 Three Mile Drive. The property can be
described as Parcel A and Lot IA, shown on Certificate of Survey 21303, being
situated in the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 1, Township 28
North, Range 22 West, P.M.M., Flathead County, Montana.
STAFF REPORT
PJ Sorensen representing the Kalispell Planning Department reviewed Staff Report
#KPP-23-02.
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of March 14, 2023
Page12
Staff recommends that the Kalispell City Planning Board and Zoning Commission
adopt staff report #KPP-23-02 as findings of fact and recommend to the Kalispell
City Council that the preliminary plat for Bitterroot Height No. 2 be approved subject
to the conditions listed on the staff report.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Board members and staff discussed subdivision regulations and acceptance of third -
party sound study reports.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Eric Mulcahy — Sands Surveying — Representing the developer — Provided a brief
summary of the project.
Renae Solum — 33 W. Northview Loop — Expressed concerns with the location of the
mailboxes and traffic on 3 Mile Drive.
MOTION — KPP-23-02
Vomfell moved and Aurich seconded that the Kalispell City Planning Board and
Zoning Commission adopt staff report #KPP-23-02 as findings of fact and
recommend to the Kalispell City Council that the preliminary plat for Bitterroot
Height No. 2 be approved subject to the conditions listed on the staff report.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Kauffman, Graham, and Young stated that this is a good infill project.
ROLL CALL
Motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
KA-23-02, KPP-23-03 CREIEKSIDE
A request from Brent Holdings, LLC, for annexation and initial zoning of R-4
SUBDIVISION
(Residential), along with a request for major preliminary plat approval for Creekside
Subdivision, a residential subdivision on approximately 24.51 acres with 71 lots (35
detached single-family and 36 attached single-family), along with streets, parks, and
open space. The property is located at 1111 Farm -to -Market Road and is more
particularly described as Parcels C and D of Certificate of Survey No. 8903 in the
Northwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 2, Township 28 North, Range
22 West, P.M.M., Flathead County, Montana.
STAFF REPORT
PJ Sorensen representing the Kalispell Planning Department reviewed Staff Report
#KA-23-02 and KPP-23-03.
Staff recommends that the Kalispell City Planning Board and Zoning Commission
adopt Staff Reports #KA-23-02 and KPP-23-03 as amended as findings of fact and
recommend to the Kalispell City Council that the annexation and preliminary plat be
approved subject to the conditions listed in the staff report.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Board members and staff discussed sewer conditions, geotech, subdivision
regulations related to buildable lots and use of alleys as the primary means of access.
Young felt that the proposed subdivision did not meet the subdivision regulations.
Sorensen advised that the interpretation of the regulation is consistent with to how
the city has applied the standard in the last 20 or more years.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Nick Venturini —1145 Farm to Market Rd — Lives directly north of the property. Has
concerns for wildlife impact, land use, livestock, and trespassing.
Cindy Verzalik -- 951 N Camas Ln — Lives directly across from the property.
Concerned about cars going in and out, traffic sounds, and losing her mountain views.
Tina Venturini — 1145 Farm to Market Rd — Lives directly north of the property.
Concerned about trespassing, increased traffic, and impact additional students will
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of March 14, 2023
Page13
have to West Valley School District. She also is concerned that a 20ft alley is not
wide enough for fire trucks.
Francisco Carbajal — 456 Mountain Vista Way — Concerned about water supply,
increased traffic, and speed limits.
Jordyn Mallet— Morrison-Maierle — representing the developer — Advised that the
developer is collaborating with other developers nearby on water and sewer with the
City.
Andi Kitzmiller — 487 Mountain Vista Way -- Has electrical grid concerns and will
lose his mountain views.
MOTION — KA-23-02
Vomfell moved and Kauffman seconded recommended that the Kalispell City
Planning Board and Zoning Commission adopt Staff Report #KA-23-02 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
Young could not support the application due to his interpretation of the subdivision
regulations and because he is concerned that the alley width may not meet the
International Fire Code width requirement.
ROLL CALL
Motion passed 6-1 on a roll call vote.
MOTION — KPP-23-03
Vomfell moved and Kauffman seconded that the Kalispell City Planning Board and
Zoning Commission adopt staff report #KPP-23-03 as findings of fact and
recommend to the Kalispell City Council that the preliminary plat for Creekside
Subdivision be approved subject to the conditions listed on the staff report.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Board members discussed site distances, access to the subdivision, and comments
regarding infrastructure, taxes, the nearby shooting range, water supply, and
visualization.
MOTION — KPP-23-03
Kauffman moved and Vomfell seconded to amend the conditions of KPP-23-03 to
AMENDMENT
include condition 36 the westernmost alley located between lots 30A/B through
34A/B and Lots 35A/B through 39A/B shall be a minimum 20 feet wide with a
minimum paved width of 20 feet to provide for fire access. As a private alley, the
covenants shall require that the alley be free of parked vehicles and other obstacles.
ROLL CALL — KPP-23-03
Motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
AMENDMENT
ROLL CALL — KPP-23-03
Motion passed 5-2 on a roll call vote.
KCU-23-01 — A RAY OF HOPE
A request from Dave McLean as director of A Ray of Hope for the expansion of its
facility at 46 Fifth Avenue West, which is located in the B-3 (Core Area Business)
zone. The expansion involves the construction of an approximately 1280 square foot
garage on the rear of the lot. The garage would include an apartment in the second
story. The property was granted a conditional use permit for a private shelter in
March 2005 and this conditional use permit would be considered an expansion of the
prior approval. The property can be more particularly described as Lot 6 of Block
159 of Kalispell Addition No. 1, Kalispell, Montana, according to the map or plat
thereof on file and of record in the office of the Clerk and Recorder of Flathead
County, Montana.
STAFF REPORT
Kari Barnhart representing the Kalispell Planning Department reviewed Staff Report
#KCU-23-01.
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of March 14, 2023
Page 14
Staff recommends that the Kalispell Planning Board adopt staff report #KCU-23-01 as
findings of fact and recommend to the Kalispell City Council that the conditional use
permit be approved subject to the conditions listed on the staff report.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Board members and staff discussed the CUP conditions.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Dave McLean -200 Harris Ranch Rd — Director of A Ray of Hope provided a brief
summary of the program which includes multiple tests, goal setting, and counseling.
He also advised that there would not be an increase in density.
Rudy Kessner —134 Garden Dr -- Supports the CUP because it serves the community.
MOTION — KCU-23-01
Vomfell motioned and Kauffman seconded that the Kalispell Planning Board adopt staff
report #KCU-23-01 as findings of fact and recommend to the Kalispell City Council
that the conditional use permit be approved subject to the conditions listed on the staff
report.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Board members discussed the conditions of the CUP and the benefits it would
provide to the community.
ROLL CALL
Motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Sorensen advised the board that there will be no Planning Board Meeting in April.
Nygren advised the board that there are 30+ bills in Helena that may affect the
Planning Department function and encouraged board members to reapply if their
tern is up to maintain experience on the board.
URNME T
The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:53pm.
Lg gra ki Im
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APPROVED as submitted/amended: tv'4, 9 t Zp23
Kirstin Robinson
Recording Secretary
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of March 14, 2023
Page15
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