Planning Board Minutes - November 13, 2012CALL TO ORDER AND
The regular meeting of the Kalispell City Planning Board and
ROLL CALL
Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Board
members present were: Chad Graham, Rory Young, Phillip
Guiffrida, Ken Hannah and Charles Pesola. Bryan Schutt and
Richard Griffin were absent. Tom Jentz and Sean Conrad
represented the Kalispell Planning Department. There were 7
people in the audience.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Guiffrida moved and Hannah seconded a motion to approve the
minutes of the August 14, 2012 meeting of the Kalispell City
Planning Board and Zoning Commission.
VOTE BY ACCLAMATION
The motion passed unanimously on a vote by acclamation.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No one wished to speak.
TANNER, ETAL ZONE
A request from Natasha Tanner etal, for a zone change on three lots
CHANGE REQUEST
from R-3 (Residential) to R-4 (Residential). The three lots are
addressed 50 & 70 Rising Sun Circle and 202 Farview Drive and
are located in the Parkview Terrace subdivision on the north side of
Indian Trail Road.
STAFF REPORTS KCU 12-03
Sean Conrad, representing the City of Kalispell reviewed Staff
& KZC-12-01
Report KZC- 12-02 for the board.
Conrad said this is a zone change request from R-3 (Residential) to
R-4 (Residential). The property is located on Highway 93 North
off of Indian Trail Road. The applicants are requesting the zone
change for Lots 1, 3 & 7 of the Parkview Terrace subdivision. The
owner of Lot 7, Ms. Tanner is in the audience.
Conrad reviewed the growth policy future land use map and noted
the Urban Residential land use designation anticipates 3-12
dwelling units an acre, primarily made up of single-family homes,
duplexes and low -density multi -family zoning. The R-4 meets the
Urban Residential land use designation.
Conrad continued with a review of an aerial view of the Parkview
Terrace neighborhood and two of the properties proposed for
rezoning are currently non -conforming since one is currently a
four -plea building and the other a duplex. Approval of the zone
change would make the duplex property conforming. Rezoning the
third property, currently a single-family home, would allow the
property to convert into a duplex which would create the potential
for one additional dwelling unit. Conrad added just to the south of
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Minutes of the meeting of November 13, 2012
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these properties is an area already zoned R-4 (Residential).
The Parkview Terrace subdivision is made up of primarily single-
family homes with some duplexes, tri-plexes, and four-plexes. The
subdivision was developed in primarily the 1970's & 1980's with
the mix of uses not generally seen today unless developed as a
planned unit development. At that time the subdivision was not
required to include sidewalks but the street is adequate to
accommodate any increase in density based on the proposed zone
change to R-4. Neighbors on the south side of Indian Trail Road
were contacted regarding being included in the zone change and
although they did not want to be a part of the zone change they
didn't oppose the proposed R-4 zone change.
Staff recommends that the Kalispell Planning Board adopt Staff
Report KZC-12-02 as findings of fact and recommend to the
Kalispell City Council that the properties be rezoned to R-4
(Residential).
BOARD DISCUSSION
Guiffrida asked which neighbors were also contacted and Conrad
said Ms. Tanner contacted property owners to the east to see if they
wanted to be a part of the zone change request to make the use
more consistent with the surrounding land use and close the gap
between these properties and the other R-4 properties to the south.
Graham asked if the gap caused by the road matters and Conrad
said if it was only one lot being presented to the board it could be
considered spot zoning but with the three lots it won't disrupt the
character of the immediate neighborhood.
APPLICANT/TECHNICAL
Natasha Tanner, 202 Farview Drive stated she is the applicant and
SUPPORT
she built her house last fall. She noted the neighborhood is clearly
multi -family mixed with single-family homes and she would like to
finish her basement the way she wants which includes adding
plumbing fixtures and a door. Guiffrida asked if her intent was to
convert her property into a duplex and Tanner said she is strongly
considering that because it would give her a lot more options.
PUBLIC HEARING
No one else wishing to speak the public hearing was closed.
MOTION
Hannah moved and Guiffrida seconded a motion that the Kalispell
Planning Board adopt Staff Report KZC-12-02 as findings of fact
and recommend to the Kalispell City Council that the properties be
rezoned to R-4 (Residential).
BOARD DISCUSSION
Guiffrida said he will support the zone change because the
dynamics of the neighborhood is a variety of uses, a lot of them
non -conforming and this change will help bring two of the
properties into conformance. Guiffrida said he appreciates the
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applicant talking to the neighbors and finding two other property
*wners who were willing to support the zone change as he doesn't
like spot zoning. This looks like a good plan.
ROLL CALL I The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
CORE AREA PLAN PUBLIC A request by the City of Kalispell to amend the Kalispell Growth
HEARING Policy 2020 by including the Core Area Plan into Chapter 12,
Neighborhood Plans, within the growth policy.
STAFF REPORT KGPA-12-01 I Sean Conrad, representing the City of Kalispell reviewed staff
report KGPA- 12-02 for the board.
Conrad said this is a growth policy amendment to include the Core
Area Plan as part of the city's growth policy. Conrad reviewed the
boundary of the core area. He noted the goals of the plan are
consistent with the city's growth policy future land use map.
Conrad mentioned the planning board had two work sessions on
the plan and he provided a general overview of the public outreach
that has occurred in this process which included one-on-one
meetings with 65% of the property owners within the core area;
two open houses; staff attended the Flathead County Fair and met
with approximately 75 people over three days; a planning board
meeting with the Flathead County Fairgrounds Manager and fair
board; Picnic in the Park; a Kalispell Chamber Luncheon with
approximately half of the 215 persons in attendance completing a
questionnaire with an overwhelming position response to the
direction of the core area plan; and six seasonal newsletters were
mailed to approximately 400 property owners updating them on the
core area plan and process.
Conrad added as part of the overall planning process this board
designated a Core Area Steering Committee (CAST) who has met
monthly and gave the staff direction, helped create the vision and
goals in the plan and the concept plans that CTA prepared. Conrad
reviewed the members of the board for the public. Conrad noted
the CAST has reviewed the draft plan and recommended some
minor changes which have been incorporated into the copy of the
draft plan before the board.
Conrad then reviewed the contents of the plan and the vision
statement. He noted the major areas of concern brought to the
staff s attention by businesses, core area property owners and the
general public included removing the railroad track; creating a
linear development & green space and replacing and/or an addition
to the railroad track running through the core area; adding more
high density housing; creating a compatible mix of commercial and
residential uses; increasing pedestrian/bicycle trail development;
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increasing the number of sidewalks and improving the existi
o
ones, and street improvements and increasing the number
north/south street connections.
Conrad reviewed the overall concept plans, which is part of the
draft plan. He noted after the core area plan was drafted they had
an opportunity to meet with people through the Kalispell Area
Chamber of Commerce and the inclusion of a chapter on Arts,
Culture & Tourism was recommended to be included in the plan.
That section was sent to the board after the packets were mailed
and staff is recommending the planning board consider adding this
chapter to the core area plan.
Staff recommends that the Kalispell Planning Board adopt staff
report KGPA-12-01 as findings of fact and to take public comment
at the public hearing and based on that comment and additional
board discussion make changes as they feel appropriate. Staff also
recommends that the planning board adopt Resolution KGPA-12-
01 and forward the Core Area Plan to the Kalispell City Council
for review and adoption.
BOARD DISCUSSION Guiffrida asked for examples of preserving and protecting
irreplaceable resources and Conrad said the intent is to promote
reuse of those resources and as an example the 2 nd floor of the
Western Outdoor Building, which is included in the core area, was
used as a large theatre and hasn't been in use for many years. If
that building were to be a reused this plan supports the city
working with a private developer to keep some semblance of the
theatre, if that is what they want to do with the property. Conrad
also used the example of the loading dock, the businesses may not
be historic but they have done a great job preserving the old
building and improving the infrastructure.
Hannah asked if parking garages or underground parking would be
a requirement or encouraged and Conrad said it will not be a
requirement but it will be heavily encouraged when working with
individual developers to help achieve the vision of making the
building the focal point and not the parking.
Jentz added covering a block with open-air parking limits what can
ultimately be constructed but, he added underground parking is
expensive. The city will review the parking standards to see if they
are limiting development and perhaps could assist the developer by
abandoning an alley or using TIF money where available to help
meet these parking goals. Jentz said this plan is not a regulation but
an encouragement.
Hannah said at the last work session the costs estimates were on
track to come in January and Conrad said our consultants Willdan
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will be here for a work session on December I 11h and will present
some preliminary estimates at that time. Final costs and a
presentation to the city council is expected the end of February.
Graham noted the word encourage is throughout the plan and he
asked what will the staff do to encourage the developers to help
meet the goals and Jentz said possibly using the funds from the TIF
district to develop a low interest loan program and by reviewing
our regulations to see where if our regulations hinder development.
Jentz added there may be other programs that come along later.
Jentz provided the example of Depot Park the 40 unit low income
senior apartment building where they specifically chose the
location based on the development of a trail in the future in place
of the railroad tracks that are directly north of their development.
Graham said so this is a framework to place incentives for
businesses to locate in this area and staff said yes.
Guiffrida added this is a neighborhood plan and a growth policy
which is an outline of the vision the city wants in this area and that
is why the words encourage or discourage are throughout the plan.
Guiffrida added it is not a document of regulation or law.
PUBLIC HEARING I No one else wished to speak and the public hearing was closed.
MOTION Guiffrida moved and Young seconded a motion that the planning
board approve Resolution KGPA-12-01 adopting an amendment to
the Kalispell City Growth Policy 2020 to add the Core Area Plan,
including the Arts, Culture & Tourism addendum and to forward
the plan to the Kalispell City Council for review and adoption.
BOARD DISCUSSION Guiffrida said this has been an incredible journey to be a part of
and he thanked the citizens for their involvement in this process
because the city can't succeed without the citizens. Also he
thanked the staff and the Core Area Steering Committee for their
hard work and vision. Guiffrida said he fully supports the plan and
he hopes it will become a reality.
Guiffrida continued he also supports a partnership between the City
of Kalispell and Flathead County in relation to the future
development of the fairgrounds property. He hopes the
commissioners' work with the fair director and fair board to
develop a pleasing property that other businesses would want to
develop next to which would add to the county's tax base as well.
Graham agreed and added the staff and Core Area Steering
Committee are to be congratulated for their hard work. Graham
said this framework is based on public input from the people in this
area which is very important.
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ROLL CALL
The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
OLD BUSINESS:
None.
NEW BUSINESS:
Sorensen reviewed the text amendment proposed for the December
11 th meeting that would change certain governmental uses from
conditional uses to permitted uses. Jentz provided additional
information on the amendment for the board.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:55 p.m.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for December 11, 2012 beginning at
7:00 p.m. in the City of Kalispell Council Chambers located at 201
1 " Avenue East in Kalispell.
WORK SESSION
The next work session will be held on December 11, 2012
immediately following the regular meeting to discuss the
following:
1. Willdan - Core Area Plan consultant presentation.
Chad Graham
President
APPROVED as submitted/corrected: /12
Michelle Anderson
Recording Secretary
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of November 13, 2012
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