08-10-93 Planning BoardKALISPELL CITY -COUNTY PLANNING BOARD AND ZONING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
AUGUST 10, 1993
CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Kalispell City -County
AND ROLL CALL Planning Board and Zoning Commission held at
Cavanaugh's in Kalispell, was called to order at 7:08
p.m. by President Therese Hash. Board members present
were Lopp, DeGrosky, Conner, Bahr, Carlson, Fraser,
Kennedy and Hash. Ellingson had an excused absence.
Tom Jentz, Sr. Planner, represented the Flathead
Regional Development Office. There were approximately
100 members of the public in attendance.
APPROVAL OF The minutes of the July 13, 1993 meeting were approved
MINUTES / as written on a motion by Kennedy, second by Fraser.
JULY 13, 1993 All Board members present voted aye.
PUBLIC HEARING A public hearing will be held on the following agenda
KALISPELL AREA item. Following the hearing and Board discussion, the
TRANSPORTATION Board will make its recommendation to both the
PLAN & BYPASS Kalispell City Council and the Board of County
FEASIBILITY Commissioners. Members of City Council, Board of
STUDY County Commissioners, and the Kalispell Technical
n Advisory Committee were invited to attend this public
hearing and were represented in the audience.
Jentz introduced a request to amend the Kalispell City -
County Master Plan by incorporating the major study
findings of the Kalispell Area Transportation Plan and
Bypass Feasibility Study conducted over the past 12
months. This plan constitutes a thorough review of the
Kalispell area transportation network and recommends a
series of both short term and long term improvements
that are intended to accomodate traffic flows
throughout the Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction over the
next 20 years. The study also includes the
reclassification of several streets (major arterial,
minor arterial, collector or local) within the
jurisdiction to reflect the proposed improvements and
anticipated traffic movements.
CRSS REPORT Nick Kaufman, WGM Group of Missoula, described the
public involvement process in the transporation plan
and bypass feasibility study.
Joe Hart, CRSS Civil Engineers, Inc., summarized the
two major components of work performed (1) Kalispell
Area Transportation Plan with short range and long
range improvements to city streets and surrounding
area, and (2) the Bypass Feasibility Study for Hwy. 93
around the City of Kalispell. The findings of the
bypass study are conditional on the findings of the EIS
now underway for the Hwy 93 corridor. The process by
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( which the recommendation for bypass Alternative B was
outlined and illustrated on the aerial photo displayed
for the audience.
Handouts were distributed
network proposals, and the
Plan major street network
network. Hart proceeded
the funding available.
their involvement with th
participants showed respe
on the proposed major street
changes from the 2010 Master
:0 2015 proposed major street
:o outline these changes and
He commended the public on
project, and felt that the
:t for diverse opinions.
Public Hearing President Hash opened the meeting to public input.
Tom Nonemacher, submitted a petition in opposition to
the proposed west side "B route" containing 238
signatures, which he read into the record. He stated,
"It is pretty hard to hang a public official on his own
words, it is sort of like picking up a garter snake
with a hay fork. He questioned assertions that
Alternative B was for the convenience of the locals.
He expressed surprise that the bypass would get
priority funding over improvements to Hwy 93.
Charlene O'Neil, one of the managing partners in the
O'Neil Family Partnership, aka Montana Forest Products,
and a spokeperson for the family trust lands, located
0 at the west edge of Kalispell, indicated they will be
directly affected by the proposed bypass. Since the
onset of this study, a bypass has been proposed to cut
through their property along the railroad right of way
veering through the industrial area. They accept that.
Her family's concern is that the final proposal was a
major alteration from the original alignment through
their property. The impact of this change is
devastating to the economic value of their property and
constitutes a loss of jobs. She urged the Board to
look at the original alignment proposal. They will be
willing to work with the engineers and governing bodies
in aligning the bypass across their property in a
logical and economical way to benefit all parties.
James Conner, Kalispell resident, reluctantly proposed
adoption of the transportation plan due to much needed
improvements to the Kalispell street system. Several
years ago, he opposed the bypass west of Kalispell
which he dubbed "deisel alley". The present proposed
route appears to be a product of political pressure,
rather than in the best interests of the residents.
Although he didn't agree with the consultants'
recommendation of the North Meridian route, he was
willing to compromise in the spirit of community
progress. However, the Meridian recommendation was not
accepted. He questioned the need for a bypass so far
out of Kalispell, when he can drive through town at 10
a.m. on a hot summer day without stopping. He
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\ advocated public transportation as an alternative. The
Stillwater route, paid for with federal funds would be
an import industry making the Flathead fat with
asphalt, therefore he would dub this current proposal
"pork -barrel speedway".
Michael Lyngholm, is strongly opposed to the bypass as
proposed. It is a waste of money for a project which
is not feasible, functional or necessary. We need to
improve existing routes proven as logical connectors at
a fraction of the cost of building a new bypass. The
money could be better spent on road improvements, a new
school or a number of things the County badly needs.
Another fatal flaw in the analysis for this extravagant
expenditure, is the projected growth figures, in light
of major layoffs regionwide.
John Wells, resident on North Meridian for 36 years,
opposed the proposal for Meridian will create a bottle-
neck causing numerous accidents, especially during
winter driving conditions. The City doesn't maintain
it now.
Mickey Lyngholm, strongly opposes a bypass creating new
travel corridors. Aesthetically, economically or
practically residents of the Flathead cannot afford the
bypass as proposed. Another paved thoroughfare will
destroy the quality of life we enjoy here with its
cancerous growth pattern, and drawing the dollars away
from the services which benefit from travellers. The
$20 million price tag is unacceptable. When do
taxpayers draw the line in the fiscal sand? Send the
consultants home, look at the facts, and choose a
traffic improvement plan that makes sense.
John Hilleboe, agreed with previous speakers in
opposition to the proposed bypass.
David Greer, felt that the West Evergreen Drive
extension to Hwy 93 was appropriate, and will alleviate
some of the traffic problems on Whitefish Stage Road.
He is opposed to the proposed bypass west of town. It
would have a devastating impact on the land use,
creating an artificial boundardy to the westerly growth
of Kalispell. Development will grow out to that bypass
and then leapfrog beyond, causing problems with land
use and continuity within the city limits. The route
cutting through State Lands will significantly impact
those farmlands.
Bill Wright, Kalispell Unit Manager, Department of
U State Lands, directed his comments towards the portion
of the proposed bypass which intersects State Lands.
He laid the historical groundwork for the mandated role
of school trust lands, which are managed for the
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specific generation of income. He read a letter dated
July 22, 1993, to Joe Hart, into the record.
Lee Kaufman, is strongly opposed to the proposed
western bypass. He agrees with comments by previous
speakers. He took issue with the comment by Mr. Hart
regarding the western route being less impacted from
toxic spills. He pointed out (1) the prevailing winds
in that area are always from the west; (2) and recent
approvals for housing developments west of town will
attract young families with children. Environmental
impacts have been beaten to a pulp, but he will say it
again. Imagine the open fields on Stillwater Road with
a 4-lane road slicing through it and several large
billboards with strobe lights, in a once peaceful,
quiet area. It started as a NIMBY argument, but he now
feels, based on conflicting testimony heard from the
consultants at the four meetings he attended, he agrees
that this is a pork -barrel route. Improvements are
long overdue, but NO BYPASS.
Sharon Stratton, Flathead County Commissioner, spoke
for herself only. She voiced her concern on the
testimony that the consultants chose alternative B
under political pressure. She feels that in looking at
the overall plan, they came up with a better solution
on Stillwater Road. The proposed extension from Conrad
Drive to Willow Glen, will be an improvement for truck
traffic, as well.
Ralph Kunda, a Flathead native, has been following the
bypass talk since Steve Herbaly drew a line between his
house and garage. A bypass has been talked about since
1954. No one has done anything. If it had been built'
in '54, we wouldn't be faced with the problems now. He
feels we do need a bypass and agrees with the North
Meridian option. There is a lot of traffic there now,
and it will increase. He cautioned on taking private
land to build the bypass, as it will be eliminating a
high tax base for the county. He commended CRSS on
doing a good job. He urged that action be done on the
study.
Wayne Worthington, cited his experience using the
bypass around Casper, Wyoming, which was "way out in
the boondocks". He supports the Alternative B bypass
location, except for the bisection of State Lands. He
is opposed to the North Meridian option.
Jim Lekander, spoke individually, not as a member of
the Chamber of Commerce, for the need for a bypass, and
the need to make a decision regardless of location. He
pointed out that there is -no option on how monies are
spent. The way the system is set up, the money will be
spent. None of it will be going for schools. We need
to work together to determine how money is spent.
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There being no further public comment, the public
hearing was closed.
Presentation Stephen Herbaly, Planning Director, gave an overview of
transportation planning and how a component of
selecting the consultants was based on the most citizen
intensive process. Two studies resulted from the
analysis: (1) an overall transporation plan with (2)
the feasibility of a bypass as an option. .
Board The Board began executive session, with consideration
Discussion / of the Kalispell Area Transporation Plan first. The
Transporation Planning Board were in general agreement with the
Plan improvements addressed in the Transporation Plan, with
expressed concensus regarding environmental concerns
associated with the extension of Evergreen Drive,
support for public transporation, and more focus on
bicycle and pedestrian paths. After lengthy review and
discussion the following modifications to the Master
Plan were proposed with respect to the prioritization
of road lengths for construction.
Chapter 6: Major Network Improvements, Section 6.3.1
First Priority Projects - include the following
additional road segments:
a. Whitefish Stage Road between Oregon Street and
Reserve Drive. Incorporate pedestrian and
bicycle facilities.
b. LaSalle Drive extension from Conrad Drive to
U.S. 2.
- Revise the Meridian Road priority between Idaho
Street and U.S. 93 North to extend the 3-lane design
all the way to US 93, rather than ending at Three Mile
Drive.
Chapter 6: Major Network Improvements, Section 6.3.2
Second Priority Projects - add to the discussion of
this chapter:
- Widening and improving the stretch of US 93 from the
County Courthouse south to at least Four Corners as
discussed on page 64 of the Bypass Feasibility Study.
By consensus, the Board agreed to the above
modifications to the Kalispell Area Transporation Plan,
noting their environmental concerns and the need for
pedestrian/bicycle paths for the record.
*Bypass The Board moved on to
Feasibility Feasibility Study. Each
Study considerations in turn.
deliberation of the Bypass
member expressed their
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Conner was sensitive to the cost of new ground
breaking. New traffic patterns as a result from the
proposed Costko, Shopko, and Walmart, would warrant
another look at the Willow Glen route, with perhaps the
overall least impact. We need to look at impacts of
traffic from west.
Fraser was strongly opposed to bisecting State Lands,
as well as other agricultural lands in West Valley. He
is firmly convinced that a bypass stimulates
development. Just drawing a line on the map stimulates
commercial speculation. Sprawl development takes away
from infill and orderly growth. He has a problem with
building major new corridors at this time. Look at the
existing transportation routes. The R/W is already
there, traffic is already using those routes, and
truckers will not go out of their way, as 900 of truck
traffic is destined for Kalispell. Keep hazardous
waste transport out of residential areas. The western
route equals 5 miles of residential area. This does
not make sense. The new Hwy 35 bridge will stimulate
traffic to the east. The Willow Glen route makes
sense. Improve Meridian and Conrad Drive, and possibly
eliminate the need for a bypass. We do not need a
thoroughfare, but a local collector to facilitate
(_ movement of traffic through Kalispell.
DeGrosky noted that DSL must compensate their lessees
for damage incurred to school trust lands. Testimony
at the public hearing was much in, line with his
thoughts. He commended CRSS for doing an excellent
job. They conducted an exhaustive study based on sound
technical data, but then rejected that data in favor of
a politically palatable option, which is less
technically sound. This is the highest cost
alternative, not including the additional expense of
,the compensation to the loss of income to the school
trusts and damages to lessee. His major concerns were
commercial strip development and loss of open space in
residential and rural areas. Public sentiment favored
Meridian as an option.
Carlson said if someone had done something 20 years
ago, we wouldn't be sitting here tonight. This has got
to be dealt with. There are different traffic
pressures in various quadrants of the city. He looked
at the project goals as CRSS outlined on pg. 17. He
feels that Alt B is not politically motivated and best
addresses these goals for 20 years from now. He
supports Alt B and suggested we start making provisions
for West Springcreek for five years from now.
Kennedy agrees with Milt. She feels this proposal
helps •the flow of traffic through the city. Kalispell
is sorely lacking in a western route. She agreed that
West Springcreek seems best suited for an alternate
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western route. Her concerns were with uncontrolled
O access on a majorbypass, and development of a
commercial strip. We need to address those issues in
the future acquiring of R/W. The Forest Products
property being split has to be addressed. Loudest
public outcry she hears is that the people are tired of
studies. Get on with it!
Lopp felt that transportation flow was a better term
than bypass. With our transportation plan which sets
forth first and second priorities, we have come up with
a very positive plan. One goal is that tourist traffic
has to remain accessible. The western route takes
tourist traffic out of the City. His major concern, is
that Alt B bisects a prime housing development area,
which we have been approving at a rapid pace. The goal
of meeting the mobility needs of residents has been
done in this document. Another concern was improving
air quality. Increasing heavy traffic on the west side
will not help meet the standards. By breaking up the
traffic into a variety of patterns, maybe that is an
advantage. He urged not to label it as a bypass or
alternate Hwy 93. Also, he noted that we talk about
the RR R/W as if it were public property dedicated to
the development of a traffic plan in Kalispell. It is
not! That route could prove to be extremely expensive.
He is strongly opposed to two highways being rerouted
through a residential area.
Bahr commended the consultants for doing an excellent
job. His observations are that large blocks of private
timberlands is west of Kalispell. The modern mills are
located in the NE corner of the valley. The entire Hwy
93 corridor from Darby to Eureka is under study,
because it is so heavily travelled. It is being
improved, and possibly by 2015, will be a part of the
interstate system. At that time, it will be more than
ever apparent that we want a part of that traffic
routed around Kalispell. He agrees with the general
area of the proposed bypass.
Hash agrees that we need a bypass. Neither Alt B or C
are satisfactory for many reasons. Alt B cuts through
beautiful open area, cuts through development of an
infill nature, and would create a leapfrog affect. If
she could be comfortable that billboards couldn't be
built and there was limited access from Ball's Crossing
to Reserve Drive, she would be more amenable to the
proposal.
Discussion followed on labelling the truck bypass an
"alternate route" to discourge increased traffic on it.
It was noted that the study figures show that traffic
is already using North Meridian.
Motions Bahr made a motion, seconded by Kennedy to adopt Route
B as the preferred alternative. The motion died
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�1 because of the DSL issue. Fraser made a motion to
1, adopt a modified alternative incorporating routes BEA,
seconded by Conner. Motion died on a tie vote 4-4.
Carlson moved to adopt alternative B squared instead of
curved, and change the routing through the O'Neil
property. Kennedy seconded. The motion failed on a 3-
5 vote. Lopp moved to adopt alternative B to US 2 and
recommend further study for the connection between US
2 and Reserve. Fraser seconded. That motion died on
a 2-6 vote in opposition. Lengthy debate ensued.
Motion DeGrosky moved to adopt modified B, the North Meridian
option. Lopp seconded. The motion died on a 3-5 vote.
Conner made a motion to revisit modified B, with a
recommendation to improve West Springcreek as a
supplemental road. This motion passed on a 5-3 vote.
Joe Hart asked for clarification on the Board's
recommendation. He explained funding scenarios. A
Modified B that is not marked as a bypass, may not get
funding.
DeGrosky wanted to know what he voted for. It was
determined that it was a confused vote. The motion was
clarified and revoted on.
�\ ) Motion Conner made the motion to adopt modified B, classified
as Hwy 93 South, with the North Meridian loop to be a
3-lane from Idaho to US 93 North. That West
Springcreek be alternate US 2 West, be an improved 2-
lane. Fraser seconded. Considerable debate followed.
Fraser withdrew his second. The motion died.
Motion DeGrosky moved to recommend modified B as described in
the Bypass Feasibility Study, except to relocate the
route through the O'Neil property, following reasonably
close to the rail road R/W and "Y" rail spur so as to
minimize disruption of the existing lessee operation on
this site. In addition, West Springcreek Road be
upgraded as a supplemental road in the Transporation
Plan. Conner seconded. By show of hands, Conner,
Lopp, Fraser, DeGrosky and Hash voted in favor.
Kennedy, Carlson and Bahr voted against. The motion
carried on a 5-3 vote.
Resolution Fraser moved to adopt the Resolution #kKMPA-93-2 as
written. Conner seconded. On a roll call vote,
Conner, Lopp, DeGrosky, Fraser and Hash voted aye.
Kennedy, Carlson and Bahr voted nay. The vote was 5-3
in favor.
OLD BUSINESS There was no old business.
NEW BUSINESS DeGrosky announced a Department of State Lands Workshop
entitled W_ildland - Residential Fire: A Planning,
Development and Zoning Workshop to be held Wednesday,
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September 22, 1993 at FVCC at 7:00 p.m. The recently
hired Senior Planner, John Parsons was introduced to
the Board.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was
adjourned at 11:40 p.m.
Therese Fox Hash, President Elizabeth Ontko, Recording Secretary
APPROVED:
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