02-13-90 Planning BoardKALISPELL CITY -COUNTY PLANNING BOARD AND ZONING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MEETING
FEBRUARY 13, 1990
CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Charles Manning, Chairman, at 7:10
AND ROLL CALL p.m. Those present were Manning, Hash, Carothers, Sloan and ,Furlong.
Those absent were Hall, Fraser, and Stephens. Hall and Fraser were
both excused for other commitments. David Greer, Senior Planner,
represented the Flathead Regional Development Office.
APPROVAL OF MIN- Carothers moved to approve the minutes of the December 12, 1989
UTES DECEMBER 12, meeting. Hash seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
1989
DRAFT REVISIONS Manning called on David Greer to summarize the draft revisions of
TO KALISPELL portions of the Kalispell Zoning Ordinance.
ZONING ORDINANCE
Greer covered each section of the proposed sign regulations and then
asked the Board for -questions or suggestions for changes. He added
that the definitions that are pertinent to the sign regulation
section would be added to the list of definitions already existing
for the Ordinance as a whole. Greer explained that these regulations
are a massaged version of the Fort Collins sign regulations and added
that Columbia Falls and Whitefish have similar ordinances in effect
now. Flathead County has sign regulations in the areas where zoning
has taken place.
Greer stated that the courts are recognizing that sign regulations
can address not only the public health and safety issues but also
aesthetics. Greer felt that the scope of the sign regulations should
also mention that Christmas lights would be omitted from regulation.
Sign regulations can not negate the free expression of speech.
Carothers asked if the section on banners referred to the banners
over the highway through town? He also pointed out that the chamber
is raising money to put flag banners on street light poles. Greer
felt that this is one area that needs to be worked on in order to
reflect the suggestions made.
Greer stated that permits would be required of all signs unless they
are specifically exempted. Signs nor requiring permits would include
such categories as temporary signs, directional signs,
idientification signs, etc. provided they met certain size
limitations. He felt that the sizes of signs should be looked at more
closely.
Regarding political signs, Manning questioned the ability to restrict
the number of those signs that someone could place on their property.
Greer said the Board could choose to change the number or not to deal
with political signs at all.
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Hash felt that all political signs should be removed within one week
after a general election. This was viewed as more significant than
the number of political signs and their sizes.
Greer felt that the Board might want to address interior window sings
relative to the use of strobe lights etc.
Carothers felt that the size of a Subdivision Identification Sign
should be 32 square feet.
Sloan asked what is considered temporary in terms of signs? Greer
stated seven days or in some cases seasonal.
Greer stated that there are two ways to calculate the sign area
allowances. Those two ways are building frontage length or lot
length. The owner can choose which method to use. Then the owner can
install any type of signs that are allowed that utilizes the total
area of signage allowed.
Manning asked if murals were considered wall signs? Greer stated that
these regulations are not designed to regulate art.
Carothers stated that since these signs would be recognized as
structures the electrical safety code will regulate how far away from
the sign the source of electricity can be.
Greer went on to cover supplementary regulations, a chapter on the
zoning administrator, off-street parking, etc. Under supplementary
regulations, the proposed changes address mobile homes within the
city limits. This As done through setting design standards. Any
structure would then have to conform to the design standards.
Manning suggested that there should be something in the zoning
ordinance regulating satellite dishes.
There were no further comments made and this concluded discussion on
these proposed changes to the Kalispell Zoning Ordinance.
OLD BUSINESS Greer stated that he would like to be able to hold a public
information meeting on Evergreen zoning at the next regular meeting
of the Board here in the Council Chambers. He felt that all of the
previous meetings that were held should have been sufficient to make
the public aware of the zoning process. He then suggested that the
Board hold a public hearing on the proposed zoning two weeks
following the public information meeting. Greer added that there are
amendments to the Flathead County Comprehensive Zoning Regulations
that are going to be forthcoming. The Flathead County Planning Board
is working on revisions to that ordinance now and should have a
finalized version ready in the near future. Some of the problems that
existed when Evergreen zoning was introduced previously will be
addressed by changes to the Flathead County Comprehensive Zoning
Regulations, particularly those dealing with non -conforming uses.
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Manning asked if the County Commissioners were ready for Evergreen
1 zoning. Greer informed the Board that the Commissioners have budgeted
for the legal ads and are expecting to address Evergreen Zoning in
the near future. Greer further noted that it would be difficult to
address portions of the area due to so much zoning overlap. It would
also be cheaper to address the entire area with a single legal
description.
Greer pointed out that there is a need for a new Board member to
replace the vacancy. Sloan suggested Mike Connor of the Forest
Service as a suitable replacement and Carothers suggested Pat Thomas
as another choice. The Board suggested that Greer draft a letter to
the Mayor to be signed by Manning putting forth these two suggested
people to fill the vacancy.
NEW BUSINESS Greer stated that the Board needs to elect the officers for the new
year.
President Sloan moved to nominate Hash for President. Carothers seconded the
nomination. Carothers moved to close the nominations and Furlong
seconded. Carothers moved to elect Hash by acclamation and .Sloan
second. The motion passed unanimously.
Vice President Hash moved to nominate Carothers for Vice President. Sloan seconded
the nomination. Sloan moved to close nominations and to elect
Carothers by acclamation. Hash seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT Sloan moved to adjourn the meeting and Carothers seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Charles Manni 11
President Ava Walters, Recording Secretary
Approved: L
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