12-09-25 - SignedMOTION — KCU-25-06
Young moved and Walker seconded that the Kalispell City
Planning Commission adopt Staff Report #KCU-25-06 as
findings of fact and recommend to the Kalispell City Council that
the Conditional Use Permit be approved, subject to the conditions
of approval on the staff report.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Nygren advised Young that the required sidewalk would connect
the entire corridor, that the city standard requires them, and that
they are on the Transportation Plan and Growth Policy. Borgardt
stated that the sidewalk is a good option for patrons. Sorensen
added that the owner wanted to make the sidewalk connection as
a business investment.
ROLL CALL -, KCU-25-06
Motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
BOARD MEMBER SEATED
Young recused himself from KCU-25-07 & KCU-25-08; he is a
representative for the applicants.
KCU-25-07 — VILLAGE LOOP
File #KCU-25-07— Neil Johnson / Village Loop Multifamily - A
MULTIFAMILY
request for a Conditional Use Permit to allow the development of
two multi -family residential buildings located at 95 Village Loop,
within the RA-2 (Residential Apartment) zoning district. The
proposal includes one 12-unit residential building and one 24-unit
residential building, along with internal parking and circulation,
sidewalks, municipal water and sewer connections, stormwater
facilities, and associated site improvements. Multi -family
residential development is allowed within the RA-2 zoning
district subject to Conditional Use Permit approval.
STAFF REPORT
Donnie McBath representing the Kalispell Planning Department
reviewed Staff reports #KCU-25-07.
Staff recommends that the Kalispell City Planning Commission
adopt staff report #KCU-25-07 as findings of fact and recommend
to the Kalispell City Council that the Conditional Use Permit for the
Village Loop Multifamily project be approved, subject to the
conditions on the staff report.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Sorensen clarified the recreational amenities and the Site Review
process to Walker.
PUBLIC HEARING
Kyle Voigtlander — 840 4" St W — Opposes the CUP and feels
that the project doesn't fit the area, there aren't enough parking
spaces, and the fire station is too far away.
Ron Jarvis — 85 Village Loop — opposes the CUP and feels that
the project doesn't fit the area, there aren't enough parking
spaces, and has concerns about the soil stability.
Katie Ramey — 60 & 63 Village Loop — Has concerns about
parking, traffic, and children walking to the nearby elementary
school.
Kalispell City manning Commission
Minutes of the meeting of December 9, 2025
Page 12
KALISPELL CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
December 9, 2025
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL The regular meeting of the Kalispell City Planning Board and
CALL Zoning Commission was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Commission
members present were Chad Graham, Pip Burke (Zoom), Joshua
Borgardt, Cate Walker and Rory Young. Jarod Nygren, PJ
Sorensen, Donnie McBath, and Kari Barnhart and Kirstin
Robinson represented the Kalispell Planning Department.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES Young moved and Walker seconded a motion to approve the
minutes of the November 12, 2025 meeting of the Kalispell City
Planning Board and Zoning Commission.
VOTE BY ACCLAMATION I The motion passed unanimously on a vote of acclamation.
HEAR THE PUBLIC Kyle Voigtlander — 840 4" St W — Has concerns for new
development straining the city's infrastructure, the number of
vacant rental units in the city, and the impact HOAs have on
homeowners, He would like for the commission to consider these
concerns when voting on projects.
KCU-25-06 — FATT BOYS File #KCU-25-06 — FU LLC (Fatt Boys Restaurant & Casino) -
Fatt Boys has submitted an application for a Conditional Use
Permit to allow for the expansion of the existing casino floor area
at 1307 Highway 2 West. The proposal involves increasing the
casino area from 792 square feet to 947 square feet within the
existing 5,582-square-foot restaurant and casino building. No
exterior expansion is proposed. The Conditional Use Permit will
be reviewed as a new permit for an accessory casino. The
property is located within the B-2 (General Business) zoning
district.
STAFF REPORT Donnie McBath representing the Kalispell Planning Department
reviewed Staff reports #KCU-25-06.
Staff recommends that the Kalispell City Planning Commission
adopt Staff Report #KCU-25-06 as findings of fact and
recommend to the Kalispell City Council that the Conditional Use
Permit be approved, subject to the conditions of approval on the
staff report.
BOARD DISCUSSION McBath advised Walker that the sidewalk plans would be on the
building permit site plan. Sorensen confirmed with Graham that
this CUP would not fall under the pending zoning text amendment
that Council will be voting on 12/15/25 but there would always
be potential enforcement mechanisms.
PUBLIC HEARING Kyle Voigtlander — 840 4'" St W - Opposes the CUP and has
concerns that the City's requirements put a strain on the business
owner and would like the condition removed.
Kalispell City Planning Commission
Minutes of the meeting of December 9, 2025
Pagel
Neil Johnson -- 411 Summit Ridge Dr He is the applicant and
wants to provide entry level housing for young families. He stated
the parking is sufficient, the traffic flow will be different and
understands the concerns of the previous commenters.
Lynette Jarvis — 85 Village Loop Opposes the CUP, has
concerns with the impacts to the sewer services and water
buildup, and feels that 3 story buildings are too tall for the area.
MOTION — KCU-25-07
Walker moved and Borgardt seconded that the Kalispell City
Planning Commission adopt staff report #KCU-25-07 as findings of
fact and recommend to the Kalispell City Council that the
Conditional Use Permit for the Village Loop Multifamily project be
approved, subject to the conditions on the staff report.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Sorensen advised Borgardt and Graham that the site will undergo
stormwater review by Public Works and the historical runoff rate
must be maintained or improved by the developer. Sorensen
advised Walker that a traffic impact study was not triggered.
Nygren advised the Commission that it could require a crosswalk
due to the close proximity to Edgerton Elementary school.
Graham confirmed with Sorensen the use meets the zoning and
the parking meets the requirements which will be dropping in the
future due to state laws. Walker and Graham stated that a
crosswalk by the school would be appropriate.
MOTION — KCU-25-07
Walker made a motion and Borgardt seconded to amend the CUP
AMENDMENT
to include evaluation of a public crossing on Whitefish Stage Rd
to be coordinated with the Public Works department as condition
#15.
ROLL CALL — KCU-25-07
Motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
AMENDMENT
ROLL CALL — KCU-25-07
Motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
KCU-25-08 — NORTHWESTERN
File #KCU-25-08 NorthWestern Energy Shop Addition - A
ENGERGY SHOP ADDITION
request from NorthWestern Energy for a Conditional Use Permit
to allow the expansion of the existing utility storage yard and
office located at 890 N. Meridian Road within the B-1
(Neighborhood Business) zoning district. The proposal includes
the construction of a 5,305 square foot building addition to
provide enclosed space for equipment and fleet storage. The use
of the property will remain the same, and no change to site access,
circulation, or operational hours is proposed. A Conditional Use
Permit is required because utility storage yards and associated
offices are a non -conforming use in the B-1 zone.
STAFF REPORT
Donnie McBath representing the Kalispell Planning Department
reviewed Staff reports #KCU-25-08.
Staff recommends that the Kalispell Planning Commission adopt
staff repo #KCU-25-08 as findings of fact and recommend to the
Kalispell City Planning Commission
Minutes of the meeting of December 9, 2025
Page13
Kalispell City Council that the conditional use permit be approved
subject to the staff report.
BOARD DISCUSSION
None.
PUBLIC HEARING
Arthur Fretheim — 240 9`h St E — Wanted to know if this is
unrelated to the NWE data centers.
Drew Digman — Jackola Engineering Advised the commission
that the project is not related to the data centers and would be
happy to answer any questions.
MOTION — KCU-25-08
Walker moved and Borgardt seconded that the Kalispell Planning
Commission adopt staff report #KCU-25-08 as findings of fact and
recommend to the Kalispell City Council that the conditional use
permit be approved subject to the staff report.
BOARD DISCUSSION
None.
ROLL CALL
Motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
Young reseated.
BOARD MEMBER RE -SEATED
OLD BUSINESS
Sorensen updated the commission on city council action on items
from the November Planning Commission meeting.
Sorensen updated the board on the upcoming Tuesday, January
NEW BUSINESS
13, 2026 Planning Commission Meeting and Work Session.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:19 PM.
Transitioned into work session on the Montana Land Use
WORK SESSION
Planning Act.
Chad a
Presi nt
APPROVED as submitted/amended: J 13 1 Z 49
Ki sti Robinson
Recording Secretary
Kalispell City Planning Commission
Minutes of the meeting of December 9, 2025
Page 14