Memo Greer/Amendments to Buffalo CommonsTo: Site Review Committee, City Of Kalispell
From: David M. Greer, Consultant to NWHC
Subject: Amendments to Buffalo Commons
Date: October 6, 1997
Buffalo Commons was approved via a "Development Agreement" composed by the City
Attorney. The Agreement is a recorded document and, among other provisions, establishes
a process for amending Lhe Buffalo Commons PUD. [As most of you are aware, the road and
utility infrastructure for Phases I -IV are being installed and should be completed by the end
of this month. Lots in each of these phases will soon be available for purchase.] In
anticipation of lot sales, several provisions of the PUD warrant clarification and/or
modification.
Section V of the Development Agreement (Amendment or Modifications of Development
Agreement) establishes a process for "minor" and "major" modifications. All proposed
modifications begin with review by the Site Review Committee with final determinations of
"major" modifications being made by the City Council.
Attached are descriptions of three requested "modifications" to the PUD approval of Buffalo
Commons. In my opinion, two of the three should be considered "minor" modifications
since they primarily pertain to issues of clarification. These reference (1) parking for medical
uses and (2) "office" allowances in Phase IV. The third request would list "neighborhood
banking facility" as a permitted use in Phase III.
Please do not hesitate to call me if you have any questions or would like me to attend any
meetings relative to these requests.
Site Plan Review, City Of Kalispell
Page 2
October 6, 1997
The PUD approval included the following language for parking: "All lot owners shall be
responsible for providing on -site parking in accordance with the Kalispell Zoning Ordinance
(KZO) for the intended uses." Phase III and IV permit medical offices but the KZO offers
two different parking ratios depending upon the underlying zoning district. Since the area
of the PUD was originally proposed by the City for H-1 zoning and it has close association
with the medical campus facilities of Kalispell Regional Medical Center, we are requesting
that the H-1 parking provisions apply for medical office buildings within the Buffalo
Commons PUD.
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Phase IV permits a wide range of medical uses and offices. However, the general term,
"Office, Professional/Governmental" is not specifically listed. The intent of the phase may
already encompass this category of use but to avoid any future confusion, we would like this
general term (office, professional/governmental) added to the list of permitted uses in Phase
IV.
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Several downtown banks have expressed interest in developing a neighborhood banking
facility in Phase III of Buffalo Commons. I believe there are many advantages to having a
neighborhood banking facility in the area, including compatibility to other permitted uses
within the PUD. As you are aware, drive-in banking is already listed as a conditional use
within an H-1 zoning district. We are requesting that "neighborhood banking facility" be
added as a permitted use within Phase III of Buffalo Commons. We do not propose to allow
this as a permitted use without certain development standards (performance criteria). Listed
below are development criteria that would apply to any banking facility in Phase III.
1. The structure may be freestanding or be integrated into a multi -use building;
2. Structure design and lot landscaping shall adhere to the architectural and
landscaping standards of Phase III, including architectural review, as set
forth in the recorded covenants;
J. Building design may anticipate phased expansion opportunities but in no
situation shall the main floor or second level, as applicable, be more than
3,000 square feet in total footprint area;
4. The lot design may include a drive -up ATM machine and drive -through teller
lanes, not to exceed 4 teller lanes.
5. The maximum number of employees at one time shall not exceed 10.