Resolution 6270 - Prelim Plat - Reserve at Johnson RanchRESOLUTION NO.6270
A RESOLUTION CONDITIONALLY APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY PLAT OF THE
RESERVE AT JOHNSON RANCH, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS (1)
PARCEL B OF CERTIFICATE OF SURVEY NO.14346, LOCATED IN THE SOUTHEAST
QUARTER OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 26, TOWNSHIP 29 NORTH,
RANGE 22 WEST, P.M.M., FLATHEAD COUNTY, MONTANA; AND (2) THE EAST
HALF OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 26, TOWNSHIP 29 NORTH,
RANGE 22 WEST, P.M.M., FLATHEAD COUNTY, MONTANA, EXCEPTING
THEREFROM THAT PORTION DEEDED TO FLATHEAD COUNTY FOR ROAD
PURPOSES, RECORDED DECEMBER 5, 1899, IN BOOK 30, PAGE 582, AND ALSO
EXCEPTING THEREFROM THAT PORTION DEEDED TO THE MONTANA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR HIGHWAY PURPOSES, RECORDED
JUNE 28, 2007, AS DOC. NO.2007-179-14150.
WHEREAS, Spartan Holdings, LLC and Whispering Trails, LLC, the applicants for the certain
real property described above, have petitioned for approval of the Subdivision Plat of
The Reserve at Johnson Ranch; and
WHEREAS, the Kalispell City Planning Commission held a public hearing on June 10, 2025 on
the proposal and reviewed Subdivision Report #KPP-25-01 issued by the Kalispell
Planning Department; and
WHEREAS, the Kalispell City Planning Commission has recommended approval of the
Preliminary Plat of The Reserve at Johnson Ranch subject to certain conditions and
recommendations; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Kalispell at its regular Council Meeting of August 4,
2025, reviewed the Kalispell Planning Department Report #KPP-25-01, reviewed the
recommendations of the Kalispell City Planning Commission, and found from the
Preliminary Plat, and evidence, that the subdivision is in the public interest.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
KALISPELL, MONTANA AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the Findings of Fact contained in Kalispell Planning Department Report
#KPP-25-01 are hereby adopted as the Findings of Fact of the City Council.
SECTION 2. That the application of Spartan Holdings and Whispering Trails for approval
of the Preliminary Plat of The Reserve at Johnson Ranch, Kalispell, Flathead
County, Montana is hereby approved subject to the following conditions:
1. The development of the site shall be in substantial compliance with the application
submitted, the site plan, materials and other specifications as well as any additional
conditions associated with the preliminary plat as approved by the city council.
2. The preliminary plat approval shall be valid for a period of three years from the date of
approval. (Section 28.2.06(E)(7), Subdivision Regulations)
As a PUD with an associated preliminary plat application, the abandonment or expiration of
the PUD is governed by Section 27.19.020(10) of the Kalispell Zoning Ordinance.
4. Upon approval of the preliminary PUD by the City Council, the property owner shall
proceed with the preparation of the final PUD plan as provided in Section 27.19.020(7) of
the Kalispell Zoning Ordinance.
5. The Planned Unit Development for The Reserve at Johnson Ranch allows the following
deviation from the Zoning Regulations:
(1) Use: Sec 27.12.020 — Under the B-1 zone, individual retail uses are limited to
4000 square feet or less. This deviation allows a 40,000 square foot
neighborhood grocery store along with a total maximum 110,000 square foot
footprint for all buildings in the B-1 area.
6. The Planned Unit Development for The Reserve at Johnson Ranch allows the following
deviations from the Subdivision Regulations:
(1) Roadway: Frontage improvement phasing: Sec. 28.2.09 — Typically, frontage
improvements are completed across the full width of the phase being final platted as
part of the requirement that each phase should be able to stand on its own. This
deviation allows the portion of Phase 1 fronting only on the common area to be
deferred to the second phase of development provided that the frontage
improvements in the phasing plan are otherwise complied with.
(2) Block length: Sec 28.3.12 — Typically, block lengths should not exceed 600 feet.
This deviation would allow the block configuration as shown on the submitted
preliminary plat.
7. The elevated design is a critical element of the proposal and is necessary to support both the
growth policy and the PUD. An architectural appearance equal to or greater than the
submitted drawings shall apply to all buildings and the landscaping, both in terms of
perimeter buffering and on -site, shall be a predominant feature of the development rather
than the buildings and parking areas.
8. The storm water ponds shall be designed in a way that they become a visual interest to the
development. Chain link fencing surrounding the retention pond as the dominant fixture shall
not be allowed without mitigation. The developer shall work closely with the Parks
Department and Public Works to develop a design that is both visually appealing and meets
the required safety guidelines. It is intended that when the project is developed the ponds will
act as features, particularly along the roadways, rather than a private maintenance utility
facility. (Section 28.3.17, Subdivision Regulations)
9. The developer shall submit to the Kalispell Public Works Department for review and
approval a storm water report and an engineered drainage plan that meets the requirements of
the current city standards for design and construction. Prior to final plat of any phase, a
certification shall be submitted to the public works department stating that the drainage plan
for the subdivision has been installed as designed and approved. (Section 28.3.17,
Subdivision Regulations)
10. The developer shall submit to the Kalispell Public Works Department prior to construction
an erosion/sediment control plan for review and approval and a copy of all documents
submitted to Montana Department of Environmental Quality for the General Permit for
Storm Water Discharge Associated with Construction Activities. (Section 28.3.18,
Subdivision Regulations)
11. The developer shall submit water and sanitary sewer plans, applicable specifications, and
design reports to the Kalispell Public Works Department and the Montana Department of
Environmental Quality for concurrent review, with approval of both required prior to
construction. (Section 28.3.20, Subdivision Regulations)
12. New infrastructure required to serve the subdivision shall be designed and constructed in
accordance with the City of Kalispell's Standards for Design and Construction. All design
work shall be reviewed and approved in writing by the Kalispell Public Works Department
prior to construction. This infrastructure shall include but not be limited to streets, street
lighting, street signage, curb, gutter, boulevard and sidewalks. (Section 28.3.14 & 20,
Subdivision Regulations)
13. Water and sewer main extensions shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the
City of Kalispell's Standards for Design and Construction and in compliance with the city's
facilities update and extensions of services plans. The water and sewer main extension plans
shall be reviewed and approved by the Kalispell Public Works Department and shall be
extended in the paved portions of the proposed streets to the far extents of the property.
Prior to final plat of any phase, a certification shall be submitted to the Public Works
Department stating that the water and sewer mains have been built and tested as designed
and approved. (Section 28.3.20, Subdivision Regulations)
14. The existing water main in the paved portion of Stillwater Road shall be extended as
appropriate with each phase of development in accordance with the water facility plan and
within the subdivision, water mains shall be extended in the paved portions of the proposed
streets to the far extents of the property. (Section 28.3.20, Subdivision Regulations)
15. Any water rights associated with the property shall be dedicated to the City of Kalispell per
Section 28.3.08 of the subdivision regulations. Only water rights controlled by the
subdivider are to be dedicated.
16. The existing sanitary sewer main shall be extended within the paved portion of existing and
proposed roadways to the northwestern limits of the development, terminating at a manhole
in Stillwater Road. Within the subdivision, sewer mains shall be extended in the paved
portions of the proposed streets to the far extents of the property, including road extensions
to adjacent properties. (Section 28.3.20, Subdivision Regulations)
17. Provisions shall be made for either a regional lift station to serve the proposed subdivision
and adjacent growth area or an oversized gravity main. Either alternative shall ultimately
connect to the existing sanitary sewer manhole southwest of the Stillwater Rd/Reserve Dr
roundabout in accordance with the sanitary sewer modeling performed for the project. The
northeastern portion of the subdivision sewer may connect to a sewer extension from Taelor
Rd and should be limited to a peak flow 153.3 gpm as was analyzed with the sewer model.
Any additional flow routed through Taelor Road shall be modeled to verify downstream
capacities. (Section 28.3.20, Subdivision Regulations)
18. A capacity analysis of downstream gravity main, force main, and lift stations shall be
performed with each phase of development. Upgrades required to accommodate sanitary
sewage flows from the development will be required to be completed as part of the project
development and any associated costs will be borne by the development. (Section 28.3.220,
Subdivision Regulations; Section 6.1. LE, Standards for Design and Construction — July 5,
2022)
19. The developer shall submit the street designs to the Kalispell Public Works Department for
review and approval prior to construction pursuant to the Standards for Design and
Construction. In addition, Sections 28.3.13 and 28.4.14 of the Subdivision Regulations
includes access, street and road design standards that shall be part of the engineering design
review. Designs shall also include street access control, intersection layout, horizontal and
vertical curves, clear vision triangles, signage, and pedestrian facilities. (Section 28.3.13,14,
& 16 Subdivision Regulations)
20. A 10-foot private utility easement shall be provided adj oining the right-of-way of Stillwater
Road and Old Reserve Drive and shall be provided on all proposed interior roads. (Section
4.1. l .D, Standards for Design and Construction — July 5, 2024)
21. The frontage of the property along Old Reserve Drive and Stillwater Road shall be improved
to a minor arterial standard in accordance with the Move 2040 Transportation Plan and City
of Kalispell Standards for Design and Construction. (Section 28.3.14, Subdivision
Regulations)
22. For Old Reserve Drive and Stillwater Road, full width improvements are required on the
development side of the street including, but not necessarily limited to curb and gutter, street
signage, striping, sidewalk, street lighting, boulevards and landscaping. Minimum
improvements in the opposite side of the road shall include full lane width and shoulder.
Improvements shall include the dedication of additional right-of-way along the frontage in
order to provide the appropriate right-of-way width and to install required standard
improvements. (Section 28.3.14, Subdivision Regulations)
23. All internal streets will be built to a minimum of a local street design standard as appropriate
pursuant to the Standards for Design and Construction including, but not limited to
sidewalks, landscape boulevard, street lights, and curb and gutter. (Section 28.3.14,
Subdivision Regulations)
24. The development is required to maintain or improve the level of service of existing roadway
intersections. Recommended mitigation from the Traffic Impact Study shall be implemented.
Additional analysis and amendments to the TIS may also be required as phases of
development are completed in order to consider other area developments. (Section 28.3.14,
Subdivision Regulations; Section 9.1.2, Standard for Design and Construction — July 5,
2022)
25. Per the findings of the TIS, the proposed approach onto Reserve Drive at the south end of the
development would require a turning movement restriction of either a right -in / right -out or
3/4 movement approach (which would allow left turns into the approach). Any approach
would require the approval of the Montana Department of Transportation. Further, if a 3/4
movement approach is proposed, a left -turn lane shall be provided as approved by MDT.
Any additional road widening and right-of-way to accommodate a left -turn lane shall be
provided by the development. (Section 28.3.14, Subdivision Regulations)
26. Provisions for roundabouts at both 90 degree turnn locations in Stillwater Road shall be made
by reserving right-of-way for future construction. Therefore, right-of-way shall be allocated
for the southern half of a future roundabout in the northeast portion of the development
where Stillwater Road currently turns 90 degrees and intersects with the LHC gravel pit
approach as was indicated in the clarification to the Traffic Impact Study. Right-of-way shall
also be allocated for a future roundabout in the northwest portion of the development where
Stillwater Road currently turns 90 degrees and intersects with private property accesses.
(Section 28.3.14, Subdivision Regulations)
27. A homeowners' association shall be formed and established to provide for the maintenance
of the common areas and facilities, including, but not necessarily limited to, storm water,
streets, parks and open space. (Section 28.3.17 & 22, Subdivision Regulations)
28.. In order to achieve appropriate slopes for platted lots and driveways, a stamped
topographical plan shall be submitted prior to infrastructure construction and recertified prior
to final plat showing that the appropriate slopes are met. (Sections 28.3.03 & 28.3.11)
29. The recommendations in the Geotech report and any subsequent updates shall be followed.
(Section 28.3.10, Subdivision Regulations)
30. Prior to final plat of any phase, a letter from the Kalispell Public Works Department shall be
submitted stating that all new infrastructure has been accepted by the City of Kalispell, any
private infrastructure has been constructed per city standards, and a proper bond has been
accepted for unfinished work. (Section 28.2.09(E), Subdivision Regulations)
31. All existing and proposed easements shall be indicated on the face of the final plat. Utility
easements for city water and sewer shall be provided to allow for the logical extension of
utilities from this subdivision to adjoining properties. A letter from the Kalispell Public Works
Department shall be obtained stating that the required easements are being shown on the final
plat. (Section 2 8.3.2 1, Subdivision Regulations)
32. Per Section 28.3.21 of the Subdivision Regulations, the following statement shall appear on the
final plat: "The undersigned hereby grants unto each and every person, firm or corporation,
whether public or private, providing or offering to provide telephone, telegraph, electric power,
gas, cable television, water or sewer service to the public, the right to the joint use of an
easement for the construction, maintenance, repair, and removal of their lines and other
facilities, in, over, under, and across each area designated on this plat as "Utility Easement" to
have and to hold forever."
Developer's Signature
33. Prior to filing the final plat, a letter from the US Postal Service shall be included stating the
Service has reviewed and approved of the design and location of the mail delivery site. The
mail delivery site shall be installed or bonded for prior to final plat. In addition, the mail
delivery site and improvements shall also be included in the preliminary and final
engineering plans to be reviewed by the Public Works Department. The mail delivery site
shall not impact a sidewalk or proposed boulevard area. (Section 28.3.24, Subdivision
Regulations)
34. A homeowner's association (HOA) shall be formed and established to provide for the
maintenance of the common areas, including, but not necessarily limited to, roads/alleys,
parks and open space.
35. A letter from the Kalispell Fire Department approving the access, placement of the fire
hydrants and fire flows within the subdivision shall be submitted prior to final plat. (Section
28.3.23, Subdivision Regulations)
36. A letter shall be obtained from the Parks and Recreation Director approving a landscape plan
for the placement of trees and landscaping materials within the landscape boulevards of the
streets serving the subdivision, common area, and adjoining rights -of -way. (Section 28.3.14,
Subdivision Regulations)
37. A park plan shall be created and approved by the Parks and Recreation Director prior to final
plat. Park area shall meet the criteria for parkland under the subdivision regulations,
including, but not necessarily limited to, cross slopes. (Section 28.3.22, Subdivision
Regulations)
38. A note shall be placed on the final plat indicating a waiver of the right to protest creation of a
park maintenance district. This district shall only be activated in the event that the property
owners' association defaults on their park and open space amenity conditions. The
assessments levied within the maintenance district shall be determined by the Parks and
Recreation Department with approvals by the Kalispell City Council. (Section 28.3.22,
Subdivision Regulations)