09/28/01 County to Vote on Mall TodayVie Daily Inter Lake
�; The Flathead County Com-
fiiissioners are scheduled to
Mote at 10 a.m. today on two
(mal resolutions on a proposed
regional mall in Evergreen.
One resolution would amend
the Kalispell City -County Mas-
ter Plan to allow commercial
uses on 144 acres northeast of
the LaSalle Road/East Reserve
brive intersection.
Wolford Development of
Chattanooga, Tenn., wants to
build a 750,000-square-foot
;;hopping mall on the site.
' The $100 million project
Would house four major
;department stores, 75-80 spe-
fialty shops, a food court with
heating for 510 people, and a
movie theater.
The master plan amendment
deeds to be approved by both
ilhe commissioners and the
Kalispell City Council.
The council recently indicat-
�d that it will review Wolford's
proposal as part of a draft
rowth policy, rather than the
Existing master plan. Conse-
kuently, the commissioners'
decision today could be moot.
However, some members of
the Kalispell City -County Plan-
ning Board have suggested
that Wolford's request is
already in substantial compli-
ance with the master plan —
neaning a plan amendment
isn't required..
If that interpretation is con
sect, the only thing Wolford
needs to proceed is a zoning
change — something the com-
missioners can approve them -
that's the second resolution
I�y will vo{te on today. If
profited, would convert the
isting agricultural, industri-
and residential zoning to
That means Wolford could
ahead with the mall, regard-
s of the Kalispell council's
cision not to act on the mas-
plan amendment.