4. Resolution 5599 - Resolution of Intent & Call for Public Hearing - Growth Policy AmendmentPlanning Department
201 1" Avenue East
Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone: (406) 758-7940
Fax: (406) 758-7739
www.kalispell.com/planning
REPORT TO: Doug Russell, City Manager �* C�('
FROM: Sean Conrad, Senior Planner
SUBJECT: Notice of Intent to adopt, amend or deny the Kalispell Core Area Plan Growth
Policy Amendment — KGPA-12-1
MEETING DATE: December 3, 2012
BACKGROUND: The Kalispell City Planning Board met on Tuesday, November 131h and held a
public hearing to consider an amendment to the Kalispell Growth Policy 2020. The attached Kalispell
Core Area Plan provides a vision for the Core Area, integrates community ideas and priorities,
identifies resources and includes specific strategies to make revitalization of the Core Area a reality.
The Core Area is located along the rail corridor within the city limits bounded on the east and west by
the current city limits, on the north by Washington Street and on the south by First Street. This 364
acre neighborhood, perched at the north end of our traditional downtown, has shown significant signs
of blight and neglect. The Core Area has approximately 450 property owners and contains 1,100
separate parcels of land.
Kalispell Planning Department staff presented staff report KGPA-12-1 reviewing the community
outreach process and drafting of the Core Area Plan over the course of the last year and a half.
Planning staff also outlined the major issues the plan addresses to achieve the vision for the Core
Area and how the draft plan complies with goals and policies in the Kalispell Growth Policy.
After staffs presentation the public hearing was opened. No one wished to speak and the public
hearing was closed.
The planning board discussed several parts of the draft plan including the intent of historic
preservation and off-street parking. The board then unanimously moved, by Resolution KPGA-12-1
to recommend to the city council that the attached Core Area Plan be adopted.
Please note that state law requires the City Council to pass a Resolution of Intent to Adopt, Revise or
Reject a Growth Policy Amendment prior to actually taking action on the proposed amendment. In
addition, it has been the policy of the city to hold a public hearing on any Growth Policy
Amendment. Therefore, in order to take action on the requested growth policy amendment, the City
Council will need to approve the Resolution of Intent at the December 3rd meeting. This would then
set the stage for the public hearing and council action at the December 171h council meeting. The
planning department is scheduled to present the draft plan before the city council at the December
1 Oth work session.
RECOMMENDATION: Approval of the Resolution of Intent to Adopt, Revise or Reject the
Kalispell Core Area Plan Growth Policy Amendment and setting the public hearing to act • the
2mendment for December 17, 2012.
FISCAL EFFECTS: Positive fiscal effects if the project is approved.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the city council.
Respectfully submitted,
c: Theresa White, Kalispell City Clerk
Staff report KGPA- 12-1
Core Area Plan
Draft minutes from the 11 /13/12 planning board meeting
Planning Board Resolution KGPA-12-1
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WHEREAS, the Kalispell Growth Policy 2020 was originally adopted by the Kalispell City
Council on February 18, 2003; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Board has determined that it would be appropriate to amend the Growth
Policy by incorporating the Core Area Plan, which includes approximately 364 acres
along the rail corridor within the city limits; and
WHEREAS, the area to be included is described generally as the area along the rail corridor within
the city limits bounded on the east and west by the current city limits, on the north by
Washington Street and on the south by First Street; and
WHEREAS, the Core Area Plan provides a vision for the Core Area, integrates community ideas
and priorities, identifies resources and includes specific strategies to make
revitalization of the Core Area a reality; and
WHEREAS, on November 13, 2012, the Kalispell City Planning Board held a public hearing, after
due and proper notice, received public comment upon, and reviewed Kalispell
Planning Department report #KGPA- 12-0 1, which evaluated the proposal based upon
the goals and objectives of the Growth Policy, the purpose of zoning and current
circumstances in the planning jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, at the conclusion of said public hearing and after consideration of the proposed
amendment, the Kalispell City Planning Board adopted report #KGPA- 12-0 1, as the
findings of fact and recommended approval of the proposed Growth Policy
amendment; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Kalispell considers it advisable that they consider the
proposed Growth Policy Amendment and the recommendations of the Kalispell City
Planning Board, and adopt a Resolution of Intention to Adopt, Revise or Reject a
Proposed Amendment to the Kalispell Growth Policy 2020.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
KALISPELL, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That pursuant to Section 76-1-604, MCA, the City Council of the City of
Kalispell intends to consider a proposed amendment to the Kalispell Growth
Policy 2020, and a recommendation by the Kalispell City Planning Board to
grant said amendment, said amendment consisting of incorporating the Core
Area Plan into the Growth Policy.
SECTION I. The City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed growth policy
amendment on December 17, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council
Chambers located at 201 First Avenue East, Kalispell.
SECTION 111. At the regular meeting of December 17, 2012, the City Council will consider
Resolutions to Adopt, Revise, or Reject said proposed amendment.
SECTION IV. The City Clerk is authorized and directed to give notice of said meeting in
accordance with Section 7-1-4127, MCA.
Tammi Fisher
Mayor
Theresa White
City Clerk
b x * T y> '.T vim
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING AN AMENDMENT TO THE KALISPELL CITY GROWTH
POLICY 2020 ADOPTED FEBRUARY 18, 2003 TO BE KNOWN AS THE CORE
AREA PLAN AMENDMENT
WHEREAS, the Kalispell City Growth Policy 2020 was adopted by the Kalispell
City Council on February 18, 2003 with Resolution No. 4773; and
WHEREAS, the Kalispell City Council expanded the West Side Urban Renewal
Plan Boundary to incorporate the majority of the plan area finding that blight exists
throughout the plan area; and
WHEREAS, the plan includes goals and policies to address the blighting issues
and direct new development or redevelopment in accordance with the comments
provided by stakeholders in the plan area; and
WHEREAS, development of the plan included significant public outreach resulting in
broad public support for the adoption of the plan; and
WHEREAS, the Kalispell City Planning Board held a public hearing on
November 13 at 7:00 PM in the Kalispell City Council Chambers after due notice to
the public and received comments upon the proposal and evaluated the proposed
plan amendment in accordance with the goals and policies of Kalispell City Growth
Policy 2020; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of this neighborhood plan amendment would
effectively amend the Kalispell City Growth Policy 2020 and the designated areas to be
made part of the Core Area Plan amendment along with the associated goals and
policies which would serve as a basis for a railroad track relocation, a linear park,
zoning, infrastructure upgrades and new streets among other development oriented
goals and policies;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Kalispell City Planning Board
recommends to the Kalispell City Council, Exhibit A, Core Area Plan containing a
vision, goals, goal implementation and necessary first steps be adopted as an
amendment to the Kalispell Growth Policy 2020.
Chad Graham
Kalispell City Tanning Board President
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KALISPELL GROWTH POLICY AMENDMENT FOR THE
CORE AREA NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
KGPA-12-01
NOVEMBER 7, 2012
A report to the Kalispell City Planning Board and the Kalispell City Council regarding
an amendment to the Kalispell Growth Policy to incorporate the 'Core Area Plan" to
Chapter 12, Neighborhood Plans, of the growth policy. A public hearing on the
proposed amendment has been scheduled before the planning board for November
13, 2012. The planning board will forward a recommendation to the city council for a
second subsequent public hearing and final action.
Background:
In 2010 the City of Kalispell received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
"Brownfields Area -Wide Planning Pilot Program" grant. The purpose of the grant is to
provide the city with funding to develop a vision, integrate community ideas and
priorities, identify resources and then create specific strategies to make revitalization
of the area a reality. The city focused its efforts on the heart of the community, the
traditional industrial hub referred to as the "Core Area". The Core Area is located
along the rail corridor within the city limits bounded on the east and west by the
current city limits, on the north by Washington Street and on the south by First
Street. This 364 acre neighborhood, perched at the north end of our traditional
downtown, has shown significant signs of blight and neglect. The Core Area has
approximately 450 property owners and contains 1,100 separate parcels of land.
Based on significant public outreach programs conducted by city staff over the past 1
1/2 years, the focus of this plan includes a number of issues the public felt were
important for the future revitalization of this area. The major issues of concern
include:
0 Remove the railroad track
• Linear park development and green space replacing and/or in addition to the
railroad track
• Infusion of higher density housing
• Compatible mix of commercial and residential uses
• Pedestrian/ bicycle trail development
• Sidewalk development and improvements
• Street improvements and increased north/ south street connections
The attached Core Area Plan sets out a series of goal and policy statements to address
the above issues and other concerns voiced by the public. With the help of a nine
member Core Area Steering Committee (CAST), a vision statement has been crafted
with concept plans illustrating the vision statement's desired built environment. The
concept plans, along with goals and policy language provide the foundation and
encourage a built environment desired by the public. This plan does not provide
specific site designs or suggestions for individual properties. Rather, this plan
establishes a vision for the redevelopment of the entire Core Area.
Public Process:
Stakeholder Interviews
In March of 2011 city staff began conducting interviews with stakeholders which
included property owners, business owners, residents and community organizations
with property, business or an interest within the boundaries of the Core Area plan. City
staff met with approximately 140 stakeholders representing 60% of the land area of the
Core Area plan. The stakeholders provided staff with their thoughts on the issues that
should be addressed and their perspective on future redevelopment of the Core Area.
This insight has been invaluable in helping to guide staff in the planning efforts for the
area.
Steering Committee
The planning board appointed a nine member steering committee in March of 2012 to
help staff develop the vision, goals and policies for the Core Area plan. The steering
committee has met monthly since April of 2012 providing city staff feedback on the
concept plans and street profiles developed for the plan. The steering committee has
committed to remain together after the plan is adopted to aid staff in the implementation
of the plan.
Open Houses
Public open houses were held in December of 2011 to solicit input from citizens on the
issues they felt needed to be addressed in the plan. The public was invited back to a
series of open house meetings in August of 2012 once a draft vision statement, goals
and concept plans were developed for comment and suggested changes. The comments
focused on the need to remove the railroad tracks from the Core Area, a focus on better
street connectivity, increased sidewalk connections and increased parks and green
space in the area.
Chamber of Commerce
The August Kalispell Chamber of Commerce luncheon featured LTA's presentation of
their work on the Core Area plan. City staff provided a brief overview of the planning
process to date with CTA giving an in depth look at the concept plans that will be
included in the draft plan. The luncheon was well attended (214 attendees) with the city
recording the presentation and subsequently airing it on the city's public access channel
during the month of September.
K
Planning Board Work Sessions
The planning board was provided an update on the planning efforts on the Core Area
plan at their regular meeting in June 2012. At the planning board's regular meeting in
September of 2012, CTA provided the same presentation at the August chamber
luncheon to the planning board.
Website and Communications
Six news letters were mailed directly to all 450 property owners in the Core Area plan
boundaries as well as members of city council, planning board and core area steering
committee members. The newsletters informed the property owners of the following:
• The overall plan process
• How they could become involved in the planning process
• City staff contact information
• Provided updates on progress of the plan
• Identified major issues under consideration for the plan
• Invitations to the public open houses and chamber luncheon
0 Notification of planning board and city council hearings on the draft plan
An email list of other interested individuals was also compiled to provide them with an
electronic version of the newsletter and inform them of upcoming hearings. The
Community Development Department also maintained up to date information on the
plan on its website. A copy of the draft plan was made available on the Community
Development Department's website and the Planning Department's website.
The Core Area is a 364 acre neighborhood located along the rail corridor within the
city limits bounded on the east and west by the current city limits, on the north by
Washington Street and on the south by First Street.
The Kalispell Growth Policy recognizes that neighborhood plans may be used as a tool
to provide greater clarity for future development within a specific neighborhood. The
proposed Core Area Plan provides specific goals and policies to direct the desired built
environment based on public input. The Core Area Plan provides the guidance for the
364 acre neighborhood while still being in compliance with the goals and policies of the
Kalispell Growth Policy.
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Based on Chapter 13, Implementation Strategy, subsection 4, Neighborhood Plan
Amendment, of the Kalispell Growth Policy, the proposed Core Area Plan amendment
has been evaluated within the framework of the growth policy and complies with the
city's growth policy document. Below are the goals and policies that the Core Area Plan
promotes or is in accordance with:
L
1. ENCOURAGE EFFICIENT USE OF SPACE, ORDERLY GROWTH CONSISTENT
WITH HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE, FISCAL SOUNDNESS, ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSERVATION AND COMMUNITY VITALITY.
3. ENCOURAGE HOUSING TYPES THAT PROVIDE HOUSING FOR ALL SECTORS
AND INCOME LEVELS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
The draft plan emphasizes the redevelopment of land already in the city and currently
served by city streets, water and sewer services. New development and/or
redevelopment of this land will increase the city's tax base in areas where
infrastructure already exists.
The draft plan also promotes a variety of housing options within the Core Area. The
following goal and policies are contained in the draft plan to address goal 3.
Core Area Plan Goal:
An array of housing options in the Core Area (multi -family apartment
buildings, townhouse and row housing, loft and studio apartments,
senior housing, second floor residential, smaller scale multi -family
apartments, etc.) to provide housing for a variety of age and income
levels.
Core Area Plan Policies:
1. Increase the presence of higher density housing in the plan area.
2. Upgrade/replace aged and/or inadequate infrastructure (water, sewer,
fire flows, sidewalks, streets and street connections) to accommodate
higher density housing.
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3. Work to improve constraints to housing by removing blighted buildings,
improve lighting and pedestrian access.
INDUSTRIALCOMMERCIAL AND DISTRICTS,_,. OF
BUSINESSES, SUITABLE INFRASTRUCTURE, AND A COORDINATED
DEVELOPMENT PATTERN REDUCES! AND
INCREASESOPPORTUNITIES.
I)7ltj ! ' lJ ! ► i!
AVOIDING THE ENCROACHMENT OF INCOMPATIBLE USES.
DESIGN IN NEW DEVELOPMENT.
6. Target Development Areas
c. The target development areas are where commercial and / or light
industrial development or redevelopment is encouraged. Integration of
residential uses within these areas is also encouraged.
e. The railroad right-of-way west of Seventh Avenue East should be included in
the growth policy as a target development area. The city should pursue a
mutually agreeable development or redevelopment of the corridor with
quality commercial development and/or expansion.
The Core Area Plan focuses on the redevelopment of the neighborhood promoting
commercial and retail businesses that are compatible with the surrounding
residential neighborhoods. Incompatible land uses are encouraged to be relocated
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outside of the Core Area neighborhood. The plan emphasizes new development
integrate within the existing fabric of the neighborhood. With this plan in place the
above goals and policies in Chapter 4 will be realized.
4. STRENGTHEN KALISPELL AS A REGIONAL RETAIL CENTER THAT STRIVES
TO CAPTURE MORE LOCAL AND OUT OF COUNTY DOLLARS.
5. NEW BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO LOCATE IN
AREAS WHERE SOUND INFRASTRUCTURE CAN BE PROVIDED.
2. Encourage a land -use pattern that supports viable business and industrial
districts that integrate a residential component but does not negatively impact
or encroach into well -established residential neighborhoods.
4. Provide for adequate infrastructure and public services to support viable
business and industrial districts.
7. Work with economic development organizations to further growth policy goals
and policies and to encourage countywide coordination of their efforts.
10. Support amenities and activities that promote the Kalispell area as a
retirement, tourism, convention, and arts destination.
One of the primary goals of the Core Area Plan is to increase the retail and business
vitality in the neighborhood along with supporting cultural events and public/private
art thereby bringing in more locals and tourists to the neighborhood. The plan
identifies infrastructure in need of upgrading and/or repair and includes goal and
policy statements to begin working on addressing the infrastructure needs to
accommodate redevelopment of both housing and businesses.
One of the primary issues the plan identifies is the removal of the railroad tracks and
the assisting in the relocation of several businesses currently using the tracks. The
plan acknowledges that the city will need to work with the Flathead Economic
0
Development Authority (FCEDA) to achieve the relocation of the railroad tracks out of
the Core Area neighborhood as well as the rail served businesses. This partnership is
a cornerstone of the plan and directly relates to policy 7 of Chapter 6 noted above.
Kalispell Growth Policy,apter 8, Urban DConservation
esign, Historic and Cultural
2. ENCOURAGE DESIGN THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH AND CONTRIBUTES TO
THE CHARACTER OF THE AREA AND THAT PROMOTES SAFE AND
ACCESSIBLE PEDESTRIAN ACCESS AND MOVEMENT.
4. NEW DEVELOPMENT SHOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY QUALITY
OF LIFE AND ITS ATTRACTIVENESS AS A RETIREMENT AND TOURISM
DESTINATION.
1. Development and other changes in neighborhoods, historic districts, and
downtown should be compatible with the scale, patterns, landmarks, and
architecture of its surroundings.
3. Discourage the demolition of historically or culturally significant structures
and sites.
5. Encourage the design of urban public spaces such as local streets and public
squares to be central areas framed by buildings, creating a visual quality of
partial enclosure.
6. Encourage the design of urban streets to provide for convenient circulation,
safe pedestrian access and avoid excess road width that encourages speeding
and makes pedestrian crossing difficult.
The vision statement for the Core Area Plan emphasizes the above stated goals of
Chapter 6. The vision statement reads:
The vision of Kalispell's revitalized Core Area is to transform from an industrially -
oriented center into a new and vibrant, pedestrian friendly, mixed -use
neighborhood, focusing upon retail, residential, entertainment, and cultural
amenities designed to proudly and consistently complement the existing historic
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Kalispell downtown area.
In addition to steering redevelopment to complement the historic downtown, the Core
Area Plan provides the following language in chapter 1 to further describe the overall
vision of the Core Area Plan:
The character and scale would be influenced by the existing downtown of
Kalispell, using a similar palette of materials and creating a very strong
pedestrian -scaled atmosphere with shops and markets, lower -scale lighting,
ample trees and landscape, and other various downtown attractions. Near the
intersection of Main and Montana Street, building heights could be encouraged to
extend several stories above the surrounding architecture, to further create higher
density in the core of Kalispell, which ultimately leads to self-perpetuating
vibrancy and activity in the downtown of Kalispell.
1. Build on the existing parks inventory to provide a unique park system that
benefits residents and the regional economy.
2. Integrate a linear park running east -west through the city, connecting Woodland
Park, Lawrence Park, downtown and the west Kalispell bike and pedestrian
trails.
During the city's public outreach over 90% of citizens commented that if the railroad
tracks are removed the land formerly used for the railroad should be developed into a
linear park. This linear park would span the entire east/west boundaries of the Core
Area and connect Woodland Park (east boundary of the Core Area) to existing trails on
the west side of the Core Area. There is existing support for such a proposal in the
Kalispell Parks and Recreation Master Plan and the Kalispell Area Transportation
Plan. Both plans have been adopted by the city council and encourage a trail system
through the plan area. To that end the Core Area Plan includes the following goals
for a linear trail and increased park development in the neighborhood.
Core Area Plan Goals:
A green belt extending from Woodland Park to Meridian Road providing
pedestrian and bike access and greenery through the Core Area.
3. Develop new parks to accommodate people of all ages.
4. Park improvements should accommodate the use of the park throughout
the day.
4. Discourage routing heavy traffic and through -traffic in residential areas by
creating a more thorough grid system when possible.
9. Develop a pedestrian -bicycle system to supplement the auto -oriented street
system and to meet local transportation and recreation needs.
10. Recognize the need to maintain and protect the residential and pedestrian
character and integrity of the Woodland Avenue area by avoiding the
construction of a roadway connection to 7th Avenue East and developing a bike
and pedestrian trail instead.
The Core Area Plan identifies the lack of north/south street connections in this area
leading to increased vehicle traffic on the six street crossings of the railroad. The lack of
north/south street connections in this neighborhood is unduly burdening these particular
streets. The Core Area Plan promotes additional north/south street connections in the
neighborhood to continue the existing street patterns found north and south of the
neighborhood. These additional street connections will provide multiple options to travel
in and out of this area and alleviate the congestion on the existing six streets. The
additional north/south streets in the Core Area neighborhood will also provide greater
access to lots in the area, some of which are currently land -locked or have severe access
limitations, allowing more redevelopment opportunities.
9
Property owners and residents in the east side residential neighborhood expressed
concerns with the continued use of 3rd Avenue East and 4th Avenue East as one-way
couplets. The use of these avenues as one-way couplets increases non -neighborhood
traffic and the associated traffic noise detracts from the residential feel on the streets.
The lack of stop signs and two-way traffic leads to increased vehicle speeds creating
safety issues for pedestrians and bicyclists, especially children attending
neighborhood schools and parks. Furthermore, the increased non -neighborhood
vehicle traffic on both avenues has begun to erode the residential character of the
immediate area which can lead to increased deterioration to the homes because of the
disincentive to invest and/or live along the avenues. This can lead to a greater
proportion of the homes from owner -occupied housing to rental housing. To address
this issue the Core Area Plan includes the following goal and policy language:
1. Discourage the introduction of outside vehicle traffic in residential
neighborhoods.
1. Work with the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) to turn 3rd
Avenue East and 4th Avenue East back into two-way streets and remove
them from the urban aid system.
I I IFf # M I IF r1trsTmf
The Kalispell City Planning Board should take public comment at the public hearing.
Based on that comment and additional board discussion, the board should make
changes as they feel appropriate. Staff recommends at that point the planning board
should adopt Resolution KGPA 12-01 (Attached) and forward the Kalispell Core Area
Plan to the city council for review and adoption.
The council will also hold a public hearing on the Core Area Plan amendment to the
Kalispell Growth Policy prior to taking final action.
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