5. Sidewalk - City Shop Property4
Tri-City Planning Office
r�r 17 Second Street East - Suite 211
Kalispell, Montana 59901
Phone:(406) 751-1850
Fax: (406) 751-1858
tricity@centurytel.net
REPORT TO: Kalispell Mayor and City Council
FROM: Narda A. Wilson, Senior Planner
Chris A. Kukulski, City Manager
SUBJECT Sidewalks / Buffering Along First Ave West - City Shop Property
MEETING DATE: July 1, 2002
BACKGROUND: At the June 11, 2002 planning board meeting, the board considered
a request by Joe Clark for a conditional use permit to construct 15 apartment units
on First Avenue West just south of the Kalispell City Shop. There would be three
four-plex units and one tri-plex unit with each of the units being two-story in design.
There is a mix of uses in the immediate area. The City shop lies directly to the north
of the property to be developed with these dwellings, an apartment building to the
south and city -owned lies to the west that the City uses for composting and storage of
grass clippings and other compostable materials such as tree trimmings that have
been mulched. Undeveloped school district property lies to the east.
The shop property is occupied with miscellaneous equipment and items owned by the
City. Immediately to the north of the proposed apartment units is a fenced storage
area that has garbage cans and other equipment owed by the city in open storage. In
the past the Clark property has remained undeveloped and therefore there were no
residents that might be affected by the visual impacts of equipment stored in the yard
of the city shop Greenbelt standards have been established by the City of Kalispell to
mitigate potential impacts to residential areas related to this type of use. Specifically
whenever any business or industrial development or a parking lot with four or more
spaces adjoins a residential area screening and or buffering is required. The city's
current use of this property creates the same type of impacts that would be associated
with a commercial or industrial use and affects residential properties in the same
manner.
The Kalispell City Planning Board and planning staff are recommending to the city
council that screening and buffering be provided on the City property to the north
along the southern and eastern boundaries to screen the stored garbage bins and
other items and equipment. The screening and buffer on the City owned property is
intended to provide some relief for the residents of the apartments to the south.
Providing Community Planning Assistance To:
• City of Kalispell • City of Columbia Falls 0 City of Whitefish
KPB Recommendation to CC for Sidewalks and Buffering
June 20, 2002
Page 2
The planning board has also recommended the installation of a sidewalk along the
frontage of the City shop property so that it would connect with the sidewalk being
recommended for installation along the Clark property to the south. Although
philosophically the staff would agree that the installation of a sidewalk would be of
benefit to the area, this would be generally inconsistent with City policy regarding
requiring this type of improvement. Typically improvements like installation of
sidewalks and or curb and gutter are done when property is developed, redeveloped or
part of a special improvement district.
Since the City does not intend to redevelop the shop property, the City would likely
participate in a special improvement district for the area if and when one is created.
Additionally, there are apparent right-of-way issues on this section of First Avenue
West which further complicates the matter.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff would recommend installation of buffering along the
fenced area of the City shop. Staff would further recommend that the installation of a
sidewalk along the City shop property be done at the time of redevelopment or part of
a special improvement district.
FISCAL EFFECTS: Undetermined.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the city council.
Respectfully submitted,
arda A. Wilson Chris A. Kukulski
Senior Planner City Manager
Report compiled: June 20, 2002
c: Theresa White, Kalispell City Clerk
Attachments: Transmittal letter
Draft minutes from 6/ 11/02 planning board meeting
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