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01-13-26 - SignedKALISPELL CITY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING January 13, 2026 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL The regular meeting of the Kalispell City Planning Board and Zoning CALL Commission was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Commission members present were Chad Graham, Doug Kauffman, Pip Burke (Zoom), Joshua Borgardt, Cate Walker (Zoom), Cody Hunter, and Rory Young. PJ Sorensen, Donnie McBath, and Kari Barnhart, and Kirstin Robinson represented the Kalispell Planning Department. Keith Haskins represented the Kalispell Public Works Department. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Kauffman moved and Borgardt seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the December 9, 2025 meeting of the Kalispell City Planning Board and Zoning Commission. VOTE BY ACCLAMATION The motion passed unanimously on a vote of acclamation. HEAR THE PUBLIC KPP-25-05 — MOUNTAIN VIEW File #KPP-25-05 — A request from Bison Hill, LLC for approval of PH 2 the Mountain View Phase 2 Preliminary Plat, consisting of 51 residential lots on approximately 13.98 acres, including lots, streets, and open space, within the Mountain View Planned Unit Development (PUD). The property is located west of the U.S. 93 Alternate and north of Foys Lake Road. STAFF REPORT Donnie McBath representing the Kalispell Planning Department reviewed Staff report #KPP-25-05. Staff recommends that the Kalispell City Planning Commission adopt Staff Report #KPP-25-05 as findings of fact and recommend to the Kalispell City Council that the preliminary plat for Mountain View Phase 2 be approved, subject to the conditions listed on the staff report. BOARD DISCUSSION None. PUBLIC HEARING Mike Brodie 431 151 Ave W WGM - Representative for the applicant — Is available to answer any questions the commission may have. MOTION — KPP-25-05 Kauffman moved and Young seconded that the Kalispell City Planning Commission adopt Staff Report #KPP-25-05 as findings of fact and recommend to the Kalispell City Council that the preliminary plat for Mountain View Phase 2 be approved, subject to the conditions listed on the staff report. BOARD DISCUSSION None. ROLL CALL — KPP-25-05 Motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote. Kalispell City Planning Commission Minutes of the meeting of January 13, 2026 Page I KALISPELL LAND USE PLAN — Kalispell Land Use Plan "PLAN -IT 2045" - In the 2023 legislative "PLAN -IT 2045" session, the Montana Legislature passed Senate Bill 382, which created the new Montana Land Use Planning Act. Under the Act, for cities such as Kalispell, the current growth policy, subdivision regulations, and zoning regulations are largely replaced with a new land use planning paradigm. The concept is that a land use plan is established with extensive public input. The plan then becomes a guiding document for land use decisions, many of which, such as subdivisions, become administrative rather than conducted through a public hearing process. The opportunity for the public to be engaged comes generally with the process establishing the plan and regulations, not with review of a site -specific project. The land use plan identifies issues, goals, policies, and recommendations, along with supporting information, relating to a broad range of land use issues, such as housing, local services and facilities, economic development, natural resources, and the environment. It also includes a land use map identifying the type of zoning and development anticipated in an area as well as an implementation plan relating to items such as zoning and subdivision updates, housing strategies, infrastructure, and capital improvements. After a series of work sessions with the Planning Commission over the last year, meetings with stakeholder groups, and public outreach events, the Commission is holding this formal public hearing to take comment on the plan. The Commission's recommendation will then be forwarded to the City Council for its consideration. STAFF REPORT PJ Sorensen representing the Kalispell Planning Department reviewed the Staff report for Kalispell Land Use Plan. Staff recommends that the Kalispell City Planning Commission adopt the Kalispell Land Use Plan ­ PLAN IT 2045 staff report as findings of fact and recommend to the Kalispell City Council that the Kalispell Land Use Plan — PLAN IT 2045 be adopted as presented. BOARD DISCUSSION Graham clarified with staff that Conditional Use Permits are reviewed with the same standards and criteria but are approved by staff. CUPs can be appealed by the Planning Commission and City Council. PUBLIC HEARING Kisa Davison 312 611 Ave E Supports the Land Use Plan because it may lead to quicker approval and lower costs. She is also concerned that the front -loaded process takes away public input. Frank Garner 315 Crestview Rd Supports the Land Use Plan because it leads to predictability, efficiency, affordability, and accessibility. Mark Friedline — 40 2"d St E .. Executive Officer of the Flathead Building Association Supports the Land Use Plan because it lowers some of the underlying costs of homebuilding and provided predictability for builders. Kalispell City Planning Commission Minutes of the meeting of January 13, 2026 Page12 Adam de Yong — 1025 Meadowlark Ln — Representative for Climate Smart Glacier Country — Commends the draft but would like to see opportunities for preparedness expanded on the plan. He would also like the City to participate in FEMA's community flood rating system. Wendy Brown — 828 6"' Ave W — Supports the Plan and agrees with Ms. Davison's and Mr. Garner's comments. Merna Terry — Village Greens — Agrees with previous comments in support of the plan and appreciates the predictability it provides. MOTION — KALISPELL LAND Young moved and Kauffman seconded that the Kalispell City USE PLAN Planning Commission adopt the Kalispell Land Use Plan — PLAN IT 2045 staff report as findings of fact and recommend to the Kalispell City Council that the Kalispell Land Use Plan — PLAN IT 2045 be adopted as presented. BOARD DISCUSSION Young stated that regardless of the City's outreach, the public will not be aware of building projects in the future. Graham is concerned with ' the lack of public attendance for this meeting and stated that newcomers will not have a voice. He added that some projects demand a closer look and a public process that will not occur under the land use plan. Haskins responded to Kauffman's request to respond to Evergreen Water & Sewer District's comments. The City's policy is to require annexation with municipal service. He stated that the Planning Commission could add "water quality" to the environmental factors but that it can be found in the document 27 times and is directly addressed in Chapter 6 and that Commercial Housing and Annexation Policy maps can be updated. Walker would like to see water quality requirements added to the zoning regulations. Sorensen provided outreach statistics to Borgardt. ROLL CALL — KALISPELL LAND Motion passed 6-1 on a roll call vote. Young, Kauffman, Borgardt, USE PLAN Walker, Burke and Hunter voted in favor; Graham voted against the motion. OLD BUSINESS Sorensen updated the commission on city council action on items from the December Planning Commission meeting. NEW BUSINESS Sorensen updated the board on the upcoming Tuesday, February 10, 2026 Planning Commission Meeting and Work Session. ADJOURN T The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 PM. Ky - Chad Graha „p President Ip oz 2' APPRO 'D as submitted/amended: Ll Io 2b KiFfin Robinso Recording Secretary Kalispell City Planning Commission Minutes of the meeting of January 13, 2026 Page! 3