05-13-86 Planning BoardKALISPELL CITY —COUNTY PLANNING BOARD AND ZONING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
MAY 13, 1986
CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by President Charles Manning at 7:40
AND ROLL CALL p.m. Those present were Stephens, LeDuc, Reynolds, Sloan, Hall, and
Manning. Hall arrived at 8:35 p.m. Absent was Trippett and Greer
indicated that Santa has verbally resigned. Also present was David
Greer, senior planner of the Flathead Regional Development Office.
APPROVAL OF Stephens moved to approve the minutes, as circulated, of the March
MINUTES — MARCH 11, 1986 meeting. The motion was seconded by LeDuc and passed
13, 1986 unanimously. Manning indicated that a change should be made in the
.minutes of the discussion held on April 8 in the last paragraph of
page one line one. It should be changed to read "The Annexation
Committee would like some input from the community before a sign
ordinance regulation is pursued. ."
LARSON ADDITION Manning introduced the application by Kurt and Carol Larson for
#197 ANNEXATION zoning and annexation into the City of Kalispell of a single lot near
the intersection of Northern Lights Boulevard and Hilltop Avenue.
More particularly, the subject lot is described as Lot 2 of Block 3
of Sunset Addition #1.
Greer gave the staff report saying that the subject property is
contiguous to the city and the proposed use is in conformance to the
Master Plan. The staff recommended that the annexation be approved
and zoned R-4 once it -is annexed..
Kurt Larson stated that he wanted to build a home on the lot and
needed the city services to do so. Sloan could see no problem with
it.
Motion Sloan moved to recommend approval of the annexation request and the
zoning suggested by the Planning Staff. Reynolds seconded it and the
motion passed unanimously.
BOUNTIFUL DRIVE Manning introduced the consideration of a zoning designation for a
CLAIRMONT STREET city initiated annexation known as Bountiful Drive/Clairmont Street
ADDITION #198 Addition #198. Generally the .subject roads are located in an area
south of the Kalispell Regional Hospital and are more particularly
described by the Warranty Deed recorded in Book 399, Page 575,
records of Flathead County.
Greer gave the staff report saying that the County gave the City a
quit claim deed to that section of roadway as the City has been
maintaining that road. The staff recommendation is to zone the area
RA-2 as it would be consistent with the surrounding zoning.
Motion Sloan moved to recommend that the zoning for the subject property be
RA-2. LeDuc seconded and it passed unanimously.
KALISPELL MOTEL., Manning introduced the next item on the agenda - that of considering
ADDITION #195 a zoning designation for a city initiated annexation known as
Kalispell Motel Addition #195. Generally, the subject property is
located between the Kalispell Motel and the Colonial Villa
Apartments.
Greer gave the staff report.saying that a small wedge of land between
the Kalispell Motel and the Colonial Villa Apartments had been left
outside the city limits when the property of Colonial Villa
Apartments had been annexed and this would ,cause a problem with fire
and police protection. Greer suggested that the proper zoning
designation for this property would be B-4 since it affects part of
the Kalispell Motel.
Motion
Stephens moved to recommend that the property be zoned B-4. Sloan
seconded and it passed unanimously.
FIRST CITIZEN'S
Manning introduced theapplication by First Citizen's Bank of Polson
BANK OF POLSON
to amend the land use map .of the Kalispell City -County Master Plan
PLAN AMENDMENT
for approximately 4.66 acres of land located on the east side of
North Meridian Road, south of M & C Tire and is more particularly
described as Lot 5 of Hall's Addition No. 82. The subject area is
currently designated by the land use map as "High Density Urban
Residential" and the applicants are requesting a land use change to
"Light Industrial."
Greer gave the staff report saying that the current land use
designation -of the Master. Plan is high density urban residential. The
process followed in this case would be a change in the plan, then a
zone change, followed by some sort of a project design. The. review of
this plan amendment is to determine whether the proposal is suitable
and if it is compatible with the Master Plan. Water and sewer are
available for the development of the property but the storm drainage
capabilities are lacking in that part of the City. The road is not
suitable, although there will be a repaving project this summer.
Additional lanes may be added in 1991. The concern from the police
department is with the traffic situation in the area. He further
stated that fire department response time is marginal and, in the
future if development continues in that area of the City, there may
have to be a satellite fire station. The granting. of this plan
amendment wi 1-1 ch-a-nge the c-h-a-r-ac-to-r o-f—the . area. There is no
distinctive character now but an industrial use will change that. The
Master Plan encourages Industrial uses to be located close to
transportation routes and Meridian Road is listed as a minor
arterial. The Industrial use will create a different mix of traffic
in the area but a high density urban residential use would also
create a lot of traffic. He further stated that this is a very
sensitive areathat is best suited for low intensity uses. Conditions
cannot be imposed through a plan amendment or a zone change. How the
site is used could be controlled somewhat through a conditional use
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process, if applicable, and more thoroughly through a PUD. The staff
recommended that the requested plan amendment be granted only upon
approval of an Industrial PUD.
Public Tearing Manning called on proponents to comment on the proposed plan
amendment.
Jim Moore spoke for Harley Gosney who is a neighbor of the subject
property to the south. He stated .that Mr. Gosney is not opposed to
the industrial use of the property but would like a cyclone fence
between the properties as a buffer.
There being no further proponents, Manning called on opponents to
speak. Since there were no opponents, the public hearing was closed.
Board Discussion Greer stated that the Board should not focus on what the use might be
because after approval is granted and a zone change is granted they
can do whatever is permitted by the light industrial.designation.
LeDuc asked what is allowed in a Light Industrial area. Greer gave an
idea of what .the zoning would allow and stated that the applicant is
probably not opposed to a mixed use PUD.
Motion Sloan moved to recommend approval of the proposed plan amendment only
if the applicant is granted an Industrial PUD or a Mixed Use PUD and
asked the Planning Office to prepare the proper resolution. Reynolds
seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
FIRST CITIZEN'S Manning introduced the application by First Citizen's Bank of Polson
BANK OF POLSON to change the Official Zoning Map of the City of. Kalispell by
ZONE CHANGE changing the zoning classification of Lot 5 of Hall's Addition No. 82
from RA-2 (Residential Apartment) to I-1 (Light Industrial).
Greer gave the staff report saying that the area may be suitable for
either apartment or industrial use. He stated that the staff
recommends that the zone change not be approved without an Industrial
PUD.
Sloan stated that she felt the Board should wait to act on this until
they come back with a PUD proposal.
Motion Sloan moved to table action on this application until a PUD proposal
is brought before the Board. Stephens seconded the motion and it
passed unanimously.
REINHOLD LINDNER Manning introduced an application by Reinhold Lindner to amend the
PLAN AMENDMENT land use map of the Kalispell City —County Master Plan for
approximately 3.8 acres of land near the southerly terminus of
Seventh Avenue East in an area situated between Rygg Ford and the
railroad tracks. The subject property is currently designated as
"Light Industrial" and the request is to change the designation to
"High Density Urban Residential". The property is further described
As Tracts 30UA, 30UC, 30BA, and 30BB in the N 1/2 SW 1/4 of Section
8, Township -28 North, Range 21 West, P.M.M., Flathead County.
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Greer gave the staff report saying that the applicant will eventually
be seeking a zone change if the plan amendment is granted. One of the
main concerns of the City staff is the storm drainage in the area and
the fact that it could go into Woodland Park.. Allowing this plan
amendment would open the way for a residential island to be created
and it might not be easy to police. The property is physically
separated from thepark by the railroad tracks. H.e stated that the
property is suited for Industrial use as currently designated and if
the plan is changed that would close. the door on that use when there
is a shortage of industrial use areas in Kalispell. However, a
recommendation. cannot be easily made since the site also has some
value for residential use. If a subsequent zone change were granted,
a determination would have to be made as to whether this is spot
zoning.
Public Hearing Manning opened the meeting to a public hearing on the proposal
calling on proponents. to speak.
Bruce Lutz,.representing the developer, stated that it is the opinion
of the developer that the wisest and best use of this property is for
apartments rather than an industrial.use because of its proximity to
.Woodland Park, the views from the site, aesthetically more appealing
than industrial use for this area, and the special character of this
particular piece of property. He stated that it does have an overall
relationship to Woodland Park. The cost of. the land also dictates
making the best of the land possible.
�- -Reinhold Lindner stated that originally they were going to put in
some commercial use there but in becoming more familiar with the
property came to realize that an industrial use would not fit the
character of the property.
Manning called on opponents. There being none, the public hearing was
closed.
Board Discussion Sloan asked for an explanation of the apartment -use density. Greer
stated that there could be 15 to 20 units per acre townhouse fashion.
LeDuc felt that it would need to be screened from the other uses.
Bruce Lutz stated that in the preliminary drawings a fence is a
probable screen as well as covered parking garages. Manning asked
what the intent of the developer was regarding the .storm drainage
situation, Lutz stated that the developer would connect to the
existing city storm drainage system in order to minimize any impacts
to Woodland Park.
Brent Hall arrived at 8:35 p.m. and joined in the discussion.
------ - ---Motion-------------------Reyno-lds--moved—to--direct--the-- Planning Staff to prepare the proper
resolution to change the Kalispell City —County Master Plan to allow
for 5 to 20 units per acre in the subject area. Sloan seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously.
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OLD BUSINESS Manning read two letters that he had received from the Chamber of
Commerce and the. KDC regarding the possibility of a sign ordinance
�\1 being on the next year's work program. Manning stated that they were
both favorable to including this project on the next year's work
program. The suggestion is made by the KDC executive committee that a
study of the sign ordinance should include the outdoor sign
companies, the business community, a Chamber committee and the Art
Deco review committee. Manning stated that he would be willing to
include it in the work program if there were no objections from the
Board.. There being none, it becomes item number 3 of the work
program..
Manning stated 'that he was a little concerned over the FRDO opening
the two letters prior to his receiving them. He felt that the mail
was his personal mail and questioned whether it is ethical for a
planning office to open personal mail and not at least.give him the
courtesy to come up and open it. He felt that it was uncalled for and
the Board agreed with .him. LeDuc asked if the letters were addressed.
to him. Manning stated they were and added that he got the mail from
the planning office on their letterhead envelope. Manning asked Greer
if this was common practice for the planning office. Greer stated
that it was office procedure to have the secretary open all the mail
sent to the Planning Office, date stamp it and pass it on to the
planning director and then he distributes .the mail from there.
Manning asked if this included personal mail? Greer stated that it
did. Manning stated this better stop and that there is absolutely no
reason for it. LeDuc suggested to Manning that the Secretary write
the planning director a letter addressing these concerns. Manning
stated that there should be communication by mail. He further stated
that there are three other planning boards and wondered if all of
this mail (he didn't want to use the word censored) is being opened
without their knowledge or consent. If he had agreed to go ahead and
open the mail when it deals with planning board business, that would
have been a different story. Hall stated that he felt that any mail
that is received by the planning office whether it has David's name
or anybody's name the secretary better leave it alone and see that
the right people get it. He added that we are not living in Russia.
Manning asked the secretary if she would draft a letter. Walters
replied that she would not write the. letter because she is the
secretary that is instructed to open the mail and, therefore, if she
wrote the letter it will look like she was being insubordinate.
Manning stated that he would get a letter to the planning director.
He felt that the secretary was over stepping her duty .to open the
mail. The secretary .stated that she worked at the pleasure of the
planning director. Hall reiterated that we are not working in Russia.
Sloan stated that the Planning Director has had about 16 secretaries
in the last six years.
Motion Hall moved that all personal mailed received by the planning office
be directed to the people that it is addressed to unopened. LeDuc
seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Manning indicated that
he would draft the letter and get it to the planning office.
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Greer stated that since there was no quorum last month there should
be a motion to. recommend the three work program, projects for the next
year. The three work projects are:
1. Consideration of zoning in theimmediate areas surrounding the
City of Kalispell at the request of the County Commissioners.
Some work has already been started on the project and the
County Commissioners have approved the boundaries of the area
to be considered for zoning.
2. Reduction of the number of zoning classifications in the zoning
ordinance of the City of Kalispell.
3. Study the current sign regulations for the city of Kalispell
and propose a more.comprehensive set of regulations.
Motion Sloan moved that the three above named projects be the work program
for the coming year. Following a second the motion passed
unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS Manning gave a report on the Spring Conference of the Montana
Association of Planners held in Great Falls on May 1-2. He brought up
the possibility of having a local in —.service workshop for the County
and stated that they learned some of the things that could be
included in our own workshop. He felt that one exceptional
presentation was made by the Montana Leadership Development
Association from Missoula. He felt that their presentation would be
in order whenever it is decided to have our own local planning
conference. He was also impressed by the cooperation that exists
between other planning organizations in other areas of the State. He
added that to hi's knowledge that does not exist in this area. Manning
gave Greer a copy of a one day workshop that is put on in Yellowstone
County for anyone that is interested in planning.
Greer stated that, if this local conference was to be held by the end
of this yearor early next year, work should begin now. Reynolds
suggested that a specific time be set for the local conference and
suggested that late fall would be the time to do it.. Manning
suggested that, in order to cover a larger base, it might be wise to
team up with Lake County. Manning added that in light of this the
board should put pressure on the Planning Office to get started on it
now and set the meeting before Christmas. Manning also stated that if
the .Department of .Commerce were contacted they might be willing to
assist the Planning Office. The Board agreed that the Department of
Commerce should be consulted and request their assistance.
Motion Sloan moved that the Planning. Office contact the Department of
Commerce and request their assistance in planning a local conference
to be held prior to Christmas tentatively set for December 12.
Reynolds seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT Sloan. moved and Stephens seconded to adjourn the meeting. Passed
unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
[e
Ok
President, Char]gs"-MaN4,ag,
Approved:
Recording Secretary, Ava Walters