08-09-11KALISPELL CITY PLANNING BOARD & ZONING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 9, 2011
CALL TO ORDER AND
The regular meeting of the Kalispell City Planning Board and
ROLL CALL
Zoning Commission was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Board
members present were: John Hinchey, Chad Graham, Bryan
Schutt, Rory Young, Phillip Guiffrida and Blake Sherman. Richard
Griffin was absent. Tom Jentz, Sean Conrad and P.J. Sorensen
represented the Kalispell Planning Department. There were 2
members of the public in attendance.
WELCOME THE NEW
Hinchey stated Blake Sherman is the board's newest member and
PLANNING BOARD
he welcomed Blake to the board.
MEMBER
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Schutt moved and Graham seconded a motion to approve the
minutes of June 14, 2011 as submitted.
VOTE BY ACCLAMATION
The motion passed unanimously on a vote by acclamation.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
ELECTION OF PRESIDENT
Election of the President and Vice President of the City of
& VICE PRESIDENT
Kalispell Planning Board & Zoning Commission.
MOTION - PRESIDENT
Schutt moved to re-elect John Hinchey as President of the Kalispell
Planning Board.
Guiffrida moved to elect Chad Graham as President of the
Kalispell Planning Board.
Chad Graham provided a brief presentation on his interest in
serving as President.
John Hinchey provided a brief presentation on his interest in
continuing to serve as President.
VOTE BY SHOW OF HANDS
Hinchey called for a show of hands for those in favor of Chad
Graham being elected President of the board and Guiffrida,
Sherman and Graham voted in favor.
Blake Sherman then asked to abstain from voting since he is new
on the board.
Hinchey again called for a show of hands for those in favor of
Chad Graham being elected as President of the board and Graham
and Guiffrida voted in favor; Hinchey called for a show of hands
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of August 9, 2011
Page 1 of 13
for those in favor of John Hinchey being elected as President of the
board and Schutt, Young and Hinchey voted in favor. Blake
Sherman abstained.
John Hinchey was re-elected President of the Kalispell Planning
Board on a vote of 3 to 2.
MOTION — VICE PRESIDENT
Guiffrida moved to re-elect Chad Graham as Vice President of the
Kalispell Planning Board.
Hinchey moved to elect Bryan Schutt as Vice President of the
Kalispell Planning Board.
VOTE BY SHOW OF HANDS
Hinchey called for a show of hands for those in favor of Chad
Graham being elected as Vice President of the board and Guiffrida,
Graham and Young voted in favor; Hinchey called for a show of
hands for those in favor of Bryan Schutt being elected as Vice
President and Hinchey and Schutt voted in favor. Blake Sherman
abstained.
Chad Graham was re-elected Vice President of the Kalispell
Planning Board on a vote of 3 to 2.
KALISPELL SUBDIVISION
A request by the Kalispell Planning Department to update the
REGULATIONS UPDATE
Kalispell Subdivision Regulations.
STAFF REPORTS KSTA-11-01
Sean Conrad representing the Kalispell Planning Department
reviewed staff report KSTA-11-01.
Conrad provided the board with a background of the subdivision
regulations update. The purpose of the update to the Kalispell
Subdivision Regulations was the regulations have not been
thoroughly updated, with the exception of minor amendments to
keep the regulations current with state law, since 1996. Notices
were sent to 81 architects, land surveyors, land use planners,
developers and builders outlining when the planning board work
sessions, the open house and public hearing would take place and
indicating that the draft regulations would be available on the city's
website for review. The notices also contained contact information
if they had any questions for staff or the board.
The goals of the update were to amend the regulations to be current
with state law; incorporate design standards that better reflect the
urban environment of the city; and to address development standards
placed on other subdivisions that have been reviewed in the last
several years.
Conrad reviewed the major changes that included:
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of August 9, 2011
Page 2 of 13
Amendments to make the subdivision regulations current with
state law.
Chapter 1: No major changes.
Chapter 2: Consolidated the pre -application conference and
worksheet; time review lines changing the 60 working day review
period for subdivisions with 50 or more lots to 80 working days; and
established an engineering review and approval process.
Chapter 3:
• Create a standard minimum setback to wetlands,
streams and rivers;
• Address the transfer of water rights to the city;
• Establish acceptable forms of highway sound mitigation
for residential development;
• Require a geotechnical review with the preliminary plat
application unless waived;
• Update the streets section including requiring
connectivity, street calming measures and new street
design; standards which will accommodate in -fill
development, and
• Redefine land deemed acceptable for parkland.
Chapter 4: No major changes.
Chapter 5: Recommending deletion of this chapter on
condominiums.
Chapter 6: No major changes proposed.
Chapter 7: Recommended change is if there are any violations of
the Subdivision Regulations they be prosecuted under Chapter 1,
Article 2 of the Kalispell City Code.
Chapter 8: Require that 2/3rds of the improvements be installed
prior to requesting a Subdivision Improvement Agreement for the
remainder of the improvements; and removing property as an
acceptable form of escrow improvement.
Chapter 9: Remove definition of condominiums, modular homes
and defensible space. Add definitions of vegetative buffers, ponds
and schools.
Chapter 10: No major changes.
Conrad reviewed the additions and deletions to the appendices that
will be included in the regulations.
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of August 9, 2011
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Staff recommends that the Kalispell Planning Board adopt the
findings in staff report KSTA-11-01 and recommend to the
Kalispell City Council that the proposed subdivision regulations be
adopted.
BOARD QUESTIONS Sherman asked if the setbacks for the rivers and streams would make
those areas public or is it recommended for environmental reasons
and Conrad said it would address the environmental impacts. Those
areas could either be public parks or homeowners parks.
Hinchey said the setback areas would remain in private hands
wouldn't they and Conrad said yes and managed by the
homeowner's association unless the Parks & Recreation Department
recommends the area should be designated as a public park.
Sherman asked if the other forms of sound mitigation have been
found to be successful and Conrad said highway sound mitigation is
fairly new for this community but the berming, if done right, has
been well received along with commercial properties serving as a
buffer between the highway and residential areas.
Jentz said when we talk about sound mitigation along the Highway
93 Alternate Route the ultimate regulations have come down from
Montana Department of Transportation. As a community we have
seen what we don't like, sound walls, but in areas that already have
developed subdivision there are no other options. As we look at new
development there are other options.
Graham had questions regarding designation of streets as collectors
v. local or arterial and how the designation affects the width of the
street and design of a house within a subdivision. Conrad noted the
Transportation Plan has outlined where collector streets will be
located and based on that information staff works with the developer
on the design of the subdivision.
Graham had questions regarding alleys and snow removal.
Young asked if the transfer of water rights is state law and Conrad
said yes it is part of the Subdivision and Platting Act. Jentz said the
act indicates that water rights need to be addressed and then it gives
the city options. Jentz noted they received a comment from Owl
Corporation regarding the transfer of water rights (copy is attached
to the minutes) and staff met with the city's Public Works Director
today and came up with some alternate language for that section.
Jentz noted the way this section was drafted the city stated they
would take the water rights at the first phase. In one sense it works if
you have a 10 acre subdivision and you come in with one phase but
the city also deals with 640 acre subdivisions and phase 1 is only
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of August 9, 2011
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100 lots and the other 620 acres may be a viable farm with irrigation.
Jentz said staff is now proposing different language: "For any
subdivision that exceeds 5 acres in gross area the transfer of water
rights shall be addressed at the time of preliminary plat as provided
for in M.C.A. Section 76-5-504(1)(j)
A. The following options will be considered:
1. Where a homeowners association or other private or commercial
entity is proposed as part of the subdivision that will be charged with
maintaining open space or parklands, a golf course, agricultural
pursuits or similar uses that will require non -potable water for
irrigation, or the use of water for a closed loop thermal heat pump
existing water rights may be transferred from the developer as
directed by the city council to the entity commensurate with the
proposed need.
Jentz noted the original developer should not be allowed to keep the
water rights because the rights would be severed from the land and
there could be legal issues regarding who has access to the water.
The rights need to stay with the land.
2. The city council may require that water rights be transferred to the
city based on the city's need to provide municipal service to the area.
Jentz noted this was done with Westview Estates, north of Glacier
High School and with DNRC lands. Jentz added staff will discuss
these changes with DNRC to see if these options are reasonable.
3. The water right may be severed from the land and extinguished.
B. If water rights associated with the proposed subdivision are to be
transferred from the developer they shall be transferred to the
respective entities at the time of filing a final plat. For phased
projects the water rights associated with each phase shall be
transferred at the time of filing of the particular final plat.
Young asked how does affect geothermal water right and Jentz said
drawing water out of the aquifer, heating and injecting it back in if it
is a closed loop he didn't know. Jentz agreed those situations are not
addressed in the options. Young said geothermal water right is not
excluded from the consumptive use and a clarification in the
regulations should be included as to whether the use is consumptive
or non -consumptive. Jentz said that clause can be added as option
#4 and he will run it past DNRC.
Graham said under the parkland section when a developer transfers
parkland to the city does the city then own the parkland and Conrad
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Minutes of the meeting of August 9, 2011
Page 5 of 13
said yes and it is so stated on the final plat. Conrad said staff did
look into that and the wording used is taken from the wording of
state law.
PUBLIC HEARING
Hinchey opened the public hearing and no one wishing to speak the
hearing was closed.
MOTION
Schutt moved and Guffrida seconded a motion to adopt staff report
KSTA-11-01 as findings of fact and recommend to the Kalispell
City Council that the proposed subdivision regulations be adopted
as amended in the board discussions and staff recommendations.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Conrad noted he received comments from DNRC and their
concerns were the setbacks from water courses and that future
development may be hampered by the setbacks on Section 36.
Conrad noted the depressions that were cited are on farmland
where water typically collects and there is no defined channel.
Conrad continued on page 40 under the section on 50 foot setbacks
for intermittent or ephemeral streams it is suggested developers use
the USGS 7 'h minute quadrangle map as a reference followed by
an on -site inspection to assist in determining if setbacks are
warranted. Conrad said he conveyed to DNRC if they were to
come in with a subdivision when performing on -site inspections if
it is a depression as described above the city would not require the
50 foot setbacks. DNRC had requested a,change in language but
staff feels the wording is sufficient.
Further discussion was held regarding setbacks from water courses.
ROLL CALL
The motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote.
CITY OF KALISPELL
A request by the City of Kalispell to update the Kalispell Zoning
ZONING ORDINANCE
Ordinance. As part of a continuing effort to snake the ordinance
UPDATE
user-friendly and current with changes in state law, staff, in
conjunction with the Kalispell City Planning Board and Zoning
Commission, has compiled a short list of minor amendments for
review.
STAFF REPORT KZTA-11-01
P.J. Sorensen representing the Kalispell Planning Department
reviewed staff report KZTA-11-01.
Sorensen reviewed the amendments as follows:
1. Update zoning map amendment criteria to reflect current state
law;
2. Adjusting light intensity standards for electronic reader boards;
This amendment was suggested by a representative of the sign
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Minutes of the meeting of August 9, 2011
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industry that instead of the NITS standard which is very difficult to
measure the city go to a standard that is 0.3 foot candles above
ambient light which is fairly easy to set on the electronic reader
boards.
3. Clarify maximum size of accessory structures;
4. Change the approval process for group homes (8 or fewer
persons);
Sorensen noted group homes were discussed at a work session and
the original proposal dealt with snaking group homes with 8 or
fewer persons a permitted use. He said the rationale for this
change was state law requires the city approve group homes.
However the board felt it was important to have some kind of a
forum to discuss the proposed group home so staff is proposing
changing group homes of 8 or fewer persons from a conditional use
to a permitted use and requiring that they come in front of the
planning board to provide a public forum for the community.
Notices of the public meeting would be sent to neighbors and this
would allow the planning board to share comments and exchange
ideas. There would not be a recommendation or vote by the board
and it would not go to city council for a vote.
5. Provide for temporary signs on the sidewalk on Main Street
between Center Street and 5th Street.
Sorensen noted people in the local business community felt the
temporary signs would be beneficial and help boost Main Street and
the downtown area. Main Street is MDT right-of-way but Sorensen
noted MDT probably wouldn't veto allowing the temporary signs.
The other issue is the liability that is associated with the placement
of temporary signs on the sidewalks. Sorensen noted a provision was
included that stated that insurance coverage would need to be
provided in a manner to be reviewed and approved by the City
Attorney and the city would be named as a beneficiary. Sorensen
continued the details of this program have not been confirmed but
getting the provision on the books is a start.
Staff recommends that the Kalispell City Planning Board adopt the
findings in staff report KZTA-11-01 and recommend to the
Kalispell City Council that the proposed amendments to the zoning
ordinance be approved.
BOARD DISCUSSION Guiffrida asked if MDT was contacted regarding the temporary
signs and Jentz said MDT is not as concerned with the liability
aspect but how it relates to the outdoor advertising regulations.
Outdoor advertising in the public right-of-way is not allowed so
where do you define that when you go into the communities. MDT
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Minutes of the meeting of August 9, 2011
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has not currently taken a stance on these types of temporary signs.
Young asked if it wouldn't be preferable to have the signs adjacent
to the curbs instead of the buildings because there are already
hydrants, benches, light poles along the curb and people don't walk
in those areas. Sorensen said there is also parking on the street and
if there are more temporary signs along the curb it will make it
harder for people to get in and out of the vehicles. Also the curb
side is out of the view shed area.
Schutt agreed the curb side would be preferable and easier to
maintain the five foot pathway.
Hinchey said from a merchant's point of view a sign out close to
the curb will be hidden behind the parked cars and because these
signs would only be allowed at three feet tall those signs wouldn't
be seen or be as effective. Schutt thought the point of the signs is
to attract pedestrians not the traveling public.
Sorensen said as a general rule with the sign program the city tries
to encourage signs closer to the building because it reduces the
clutter aspect. Jentz said when the merchant's put out the signs they
usually put them out close to their door and they can be seen by
both the traveling public and pedestrians.
Sherman suggested not concentrating on how far the sign is from
the business or the street, leaving that open, and if there any
restrictions it would be to enforce the size of the sign so it doesn't
block the walkway. Sherman said he lived in New York City and
there were signs all over the place and people were not tripping on
them and he thinks the bigger issue is to make sure the city is
protected for liability.
Guiffrida thought that putting the sign near the street could create a
new liability issue with people standing in the street and perhaps
damage to vehicles. Hinchey agreed with Guiffrida.
Hinchey asked if the group homes would be considered a
conditional use or permitted use and Sorensen said a permitted use
but staff included a footnote that it would only be allowed if they
go through the public meeting process. The idea was to get the
public notice out so people are aware, get the applicant in front of
the board and provide the public forum. Hinchey cited the 3`d group
home in close proximity of the others and the applicant heard the
concerns from the board and neighbors and moved the location.
Hinchey is concerned that the same opportunity might be missed in
the future with this wording. Jentz said in that case the applicant
was sensitive to the community and he chose to move the group
home but there was nothing stopping him from going all the way
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of August 9, 2011
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through the process and not moving the 3d group home. Jentz said
staff is trying to replicate the community forum but it is also an
opportunity for the applicant to hear the concerns. Graham said he
agreed with Hinchey.
Graham said his intent was to provide the residents an opportunity
to be heard by the city council not the planning board. Jentz said
that was not the direction he received but the board could make that
recommendation. Graham thought even though the council could
not deny the group home they could at least listen to their citizens.
Sorensen said the reason they decided on this forum is to provide
an opportunity for the community to talk to the board which could
be good enough. However if they feel they want to talk to the city
council they would always have that opportunity under the "hear
the public" portion of the council's bi-monthly meetings.
Hinchey noted page 6, line 2 isn't clear and Sorensen said what is
intended is "temporary or portable signs are allowed".
Hinchey asked if there should be any type of limitation on the
number of neighborhood garage or yard sales there can be on a
property. Jentz noted this would be a separate issue than the sign
amendment proposed and added that type of amendment could be
brought up at another meeting.
Hinchey noted the criteria in item 2., page 2 of the staff report
"Whether the new zoning will affect motorized and nonmotorized
transportation systems." has not been addressed and Sorensen said
that is because the criteria has not yet been adopted and would be
addressed in the future if approved. Also those criteria would
relate to zoning map amendments not zoning text amendments.
PUBLIC HEARING
Hinchey opened the public hearing and no one wishing to speak the
public hearing was closed.
MOTION
Guiffrida moved and Schutt seconded a motion to adopt staff report
KZTA-11-01 as findings of fact and recommend to the Kalispell
City Council that the proposed amendments to the zoning
ordinance be approved.
MOTION TO DELETE ITEM
Guiffrida moved and Graham seconded a motion to strike Section 4
#4 — GROUP HOMES
"Changing the process for group homes..." in its entirety.
BOARD DISCUSSION
Young said this section was written at the direction of the planning
board and it is his understanding that staff was instructed by city
council to wash their hands of that process. The board then took it
upon themselves and asked that staff provide some method for the
public to be heard.
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of August 9, 2011
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Guiffrida said yes the board did discuss this at the work session and
as a group stressed that they were not in favor of changes. With the
deletion of this section everything will be par for the course where
a conditional use permit would be required, public discussion as
normal and the planning board will forward a recommendation to
the city council for further discussion. Guiffrida said he feels the
taxpayers should be heard and at that point in time it is over — there
is no vote and the group home is approved. He feels the time for
the neighborhoods to organize is already short and this will give
them additional time to prepare their comments.
Guiffrida said the newly published ARM rules state that
community residential facilities will now be required to be licensed
which is a condition that the city council can now place on the
conditional use permit. Guiffrida added if the city council wants to
amend the recommendation on group homes and send it back to the
planning board then so be it. The council would then be telling the
taxpayer that they don't want to waste their time with group homes
since there is nothing they can do.
Guffrida added if these become a permitted use in any city what
will our cities look like. Guffrida wants to keep the current process
in place.
Schutt said he has been on the board for several years and yes the
board is frustrated when these type of applications come up. He
feels the more forums there are for the public to comment and the
more opportunities for the developer/applicant to hear those
comments and concerns eventually results in a better operation.
Schutt said he doesn't mind putting this back on the city council's
lap and if they refuse it that is their prerogative. More good will
come of giving the public another opportunity to be heard.
ROLL CALL — DELETE The motion to delete item #4 passed unanimously on a roll call
ITEM #4 — GROUP HOMES vote.
MOTION TO AMEND Sherman moved and Schutt seconded a motion to amend item
(1)(g)3. to delete the phrase "and adjacent to the building."
BOARD DISCUSSION Hinchey said the problem that he has with the amendment is he
doesn't think MDT would approve temporary signs placed at the
curb. Therefore he will be voting against the amendment.
Guffrida said he thinks allowing temporary signage downtown is
fantastic for Main Street & downtown but he agrees with Hinchey
in that this would be a public safety issue and an underlying
liability issue for the city.
Jentz said the concept is Center Street to 5th Street on Main Street
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of August 9, 2011
Page 10 of 13
and this would not pertain to the side streets or 1" Avenues East
and West. The planning department is responsible for enforcement
of the sign ordinance and after time there may be a need to come
back to the board to broaden the area. Schutt asked if now isn't the
time to expand the boundary. Sherman suggested opening it up to
the entire Business Improvement District. Jentz said the entire
B.I.D. encompasses a lot of areas that are not the same character of
downtown and what staff wanted to create was an incentive to be
downtown.
ROLL CALL
The motion to delete the phrase "and adjacent to the building."
From item (1)(g)3. failed on a roll call vote of 3 in favor and 3 in
opposition.
ROLL CALL — ORIGINAL
The original motion, as amended, passed unanimously on a roll call
MOTION
vote.
OLD BUSINESS:
None.
NEW BUSINESS:
Administrative Conditional Use Permit — Shooting Range
Guffrida asked staff to clarify what is happening with the indoor
shooting range and asked that the board be included on the list for
comments or open houses related to an administrative conditional
use permit (ACUP). Jentz said there has been a search for some
time for an indoor shooting range and a location was found at the
site of the former First National Pawn on West Idaho. It is zoned
B-2 and they are looking at putting together a retail sales outlet for
firearms and accessories on the main floor of the building and an
indoor shooting range on the second floor. The city's zoning allows
for firearms sales as a permitted use. The shooting range was an
administrative use conditional use permit which is a permit that is
anticipated to occur in the zone but it may have special nuances
that are minor in nature. Properties within 150 feet are sent notices
of the ACUP they have 15 days to comment and in that time period
if comments do come in and can be addressed it continues to move
forward. If we get comments that we cannot address the ACUP
then becomes a conditional use permit (CUP) and kicks up to the
planning board for public hearing.
Jentz continued the city received a letter that was forwarded to the
applicant that cited concerns about noise and the applicant
suggested having an open house to demonstrate to the concerned
citizen the level of noise generated and answer any questions. Jentz
noted the open house was called by the applicant not the city
however the city decided the adjoining property owners within 150
feet should also be invited to the open house. Jentz said there were
15 members of the public and 10 agency & applicant
representatives who attended the open house.
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of August 9, 2011
Page 11 of 13
Jentz noted this was the first time an open house was held for an
ACUP and it is hard to create a policy when it isn't the norm.
Jentz noted the city applied for a $6 million grant to have their own
shooting facility for training but only received $750,000 so instead
of building their own training facility they will buy several
simulators and put them inside the shooting facility. All local law
enforcement agencies will have access to the facility but it will be
privately owned and open to the public.
After the open house there were no longer concerns about noise, air
quality or safety.
Jentz added a letter was received from a nearby tenant who Jentz
responded to and he had a copy for the board to review.
Schutt asked for further clarification of the ACUP process which
Jentz provided.
Possible Expansion of the Westside TIF
Jentz reviewed the meeting to be held regarding expanding the
Westside TIF that would necessitate updating a plan for the urban
renewal area and deals a lot with downtown Kalispell issues. If that
happens the planning board will be involved in hosting work
sessions and/or public hearings on that plan.
Joint Meeting with City Council to discuss annexation waivers
and districts — September 12, 2011
Jentz reported a joint work session has been scheduled with the city
council to discuss annexations — when should the city be annexing
outlaying areas and how should they be annexed. Discussion will
also focus on two proposed annexations - 40 acres of vacant land
which is part of the Majestic Valley Arena north of Church Drive
and Highway 93 North and Trumble Creek Crossing owned by
Mike Anders located north of East Evergreen Drive. Notices will
be sent out however it is not a formal public hearing but a work
session.
Further discussion was held.
September 13, 2011 Planning Board Meeting
Jentz said the board's regular meeting on September 13th will be
cancelled due to a lack of agenda items.
Meeting more frequently with the Flathead County Planning
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of August 9, 2011
Page 12 of 13
Sherman said he gets the general impression that the county and
city planning boards don't always communicate and he asked if
there is an interest in having more dialogue with the county in
relation to planning and development in general. Jentz said the last
joint meeting with the county planning board was regarding the
entrance corridor development to the north and it would be good to
meet with them more frequently. Sherman said meeting with the
county board is the key when looking at the valley as a whole.
Jentz stated he would contact the county and suggest they have a
joint meeting this fall/winter.
ADJOURNMENT I The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:25 p.m.
NEXT MEETING The next work session of the Kalispell City Planning Board is
scheduled as a joint meeting with city council on September 12,
2011 @7:00 p.m. in the council chambers.
The September 13, 2011 regular meeting is cancelled due to a lack
of agenda items.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for October 11, 2011.
VL IAL- dluv�
Hinchey Michelle Anderson
Sent Recording Secretary
APPROVED as Corrected: 10/05/11
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of August 9, 2011
Page 13 of 13
owz coRroxATIoN
500 Palmer Drive
Kalispell, MT. 59901
Office (406) 752-5666
Fax (406) 752-5670
August 8, 2011
Mr. Ton Jentz, Director
Kalispell Planning Department
201 First Avenue East
Kalispell, MT. 59901
RE: Proposed Subdivision Regulations
Dear Tom.
The following are comments I Have regarding.the proposed subdivision regulation 3.08
Water Rights.
1. A water right is an asset to the landowners and has value. The City should provide
compensation to the owner if it takes that water right. I believe that State law
classifies water rights as real property. Therefore what the City is proposing is a
taking of real property. This is not right without paying for them.
2. The water right is a specific benefit to that piece of property, and it should be
specified in your regulations that it is to remain with that property
3. Homeowners Association may have need of the water rights The regulations
should allow for Associations to have the first opportunity to be assigned those
rights before the City seizes them. MCA 75-3-504 0) does not specify that the
City is to be the controlling entity, so it could in fact be a Homeowners
Association or other entity as allowed by law.'
4. As proposed, the regulations would be proliibitive for a developer needing water
right for irrigation (like a golf course): If the City has control of those rights a
developer would not risk an investment.
5. Thepoposedyegulation mandates that the water right be transferred upon.filing a
final plat for the first phase: This is a terrible proposal. For example, take a large
proposed development located on agricultural land, such as the Starling
subdivision. A fttsfphase would mean that t-M *City would then control the watet
rights, and the remaining land could not be farmed for lack of irrigation water. If .
for some reason the remaining land is never developed as proposed, the land value
would plummet because it no longer has a water right. The City is then in a
position of holding a valuable asset, acid the landowner could be forced to buy the
water right back If the City seizes water rights, it should only do so on a phase by
phase basis.
6. The proposed regulations do not specify as to what parcel size it applies to. State
law specifies lot sizes averaging less than 5 acres.
I think you need to put considerably more thought into this regulation before it is
adopted, or as it is written I can foresee nothing but problems.
Please make sure the Mayor and Council receive a copy of my comments.
Sincerely
Lee Cniswold
Development Consultant