City-County Master PlanMASTER
TLAN
KALISPELL CITY—COUNTY MASTER PLAN
PREPARED BY:
Flathead Regional Development Office
723 Fifth Avenue East, Room 412
Kalispell, MT 59901
ADOPTED BY:
CITY OF KALISPELL, MONTANA
Resolution #3641
April 7, 1986
FLATHEAD COUNTY
Resolution # 578A
February 6, .1986
Supercedes Kalispell Planning Area Comprehensive Plan
Adopted by:
City of Kalispell, October 17, 1974
Flathead County, October 14, 1974
Table of Contents - Page i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 3 - ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
Page
INTRODUCTION
1
Master Plan
1
Past Efforts
2
Planning Process
2
CHAPTER 1 - MASTER PLAN
3
Master Plan Components
3
Goals and Objectives
5
CHAPTER 2 - THE COMMUNITY SETTING
13
Early Kalispell
13
Geography and Climate
14
Location Potential
16
CHAPTER 3 - ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
19
Soils
19
Slope
19
Floodplain
20
Agricultural Lands
22
Summary
24
CHAPTER 4 - POPULATION AND ECONOMY
25
Population
25
Economy
29
Summary
35
Population Projections
35
CHAPTER 5 - LAND USE
37
Existing Land Use
37
Land Use Standards
42
Land Use Projections Methodology
42
Land Use Plan
42
CHAPTER 6 - HOUSING 49
Current Housing Supply 49
Housing Projections 54
Housing Plan 55
Page ii - Table of Contents '
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CHAPTER 7 - TRANSPORTATION
57
Executive Summary
57
Existing Conditions Within the Planning Jurisdiction
57
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The Plan
58
Recommended ByPass Route
58
Proposed Major Street Network
58
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Recommended Improvements
61
CHAPTER 8 - COMMUNITY FACILITIES
65
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Police Department
65
Fire Department
66
Water
67
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Sewer
69
Solid Waste Management
Schools
71
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Flathead Valley Community College
73
Parks and Recreation
Other Facilities
73
76
CHAPTER 9 - IMPLEMENTATION
79
Zoning
79
,
Subdivision Regulations
80
Agricultural Land Preservation Program
81
Building Codes
81
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Housing Codes
82
Capitol Improvements Plan
82
Federal/State Grant Programs
83
,
Intergovernmental Cooperation
84
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Table of Contents -
Page iii
'Page
LIST OF TABLES
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Population Trends 1960-1980
26
2
3
Age Structure 1980
Employed Persons 16 And Over By Industry, Kalispell
27
30
4
Employed Persons 16 ,And Over, Kalispell, Flathead County,
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and Montana
Labor Force and Per Capita Income
31
32
6
Agri -Business Within Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction 1984
35
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Population Projections 1980-2010
36
8
Existing Land Use - 1983
38
9
Existing Land Use, Average Community Comparison,
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National Averages and Proposed Standards
39
10 -
Projected Land Use Needs - 2010
43
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Occupied Housing
49
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Housing Type 1970, 1980
50
13 -
Proportionate Housing Type 1980
51
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Housing Tenure - Kalispell 1970, 1980
52
15
Housing Tenure - Kalispell and Flathead County, 1980
52
16 -
Housing Age - Kalispell, 1980
53
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Housing Conditions - Kalispell, 1981
53
18 -
Housing Projections - Kalispell, 1980-2010
55
19 -
Housing Projections - Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction 1980-2010
55
20
Proposed Major Street Network
59
21 -
Recommended Alternative Improvements
64a
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Page iv - Table of Contents
LIST OF GRAPHICS
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Pape 1
1 -
Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction Area
vi
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2 -
Kalispell City -County Master Plan Map Insert
at Back
3 -
Kalispell, Montana - 1902
15
4 -
City of Kalispell - Location Map
17
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5 -
City of Kalispell - Regional Setting
18
6 -
Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction Area - Growth Deterrents
21
6A -
Prime Farmlands
23
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7 -
Population Pyramid 1970-1980
28
7.1 -
1991 Average Daily Traffic Volume
57a
7.2 -
1991 Average Daily Traffic Volume - CBD
57b
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7.3 -
Distribution of Total Through Traffic
57c
7.4 -
2015 Projected Average Daily Volume
58a
7.5 -
2015 Proposed Major Street Network
60a
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7.6 -
2015 Proposed Major Street Network - CBD
60b
8 -
Kalispell Water Extension Plan
68
9 -
Kalispell Sewer System Plan
70
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Table of Contents - Page v
APPENDIX
Neighborhood Plan Amendments to the Kalispell City -County Master Plan
Stillwater Destination Resort Neighborhood Plan
' Highway 93 South Neighborhood Plan
North Meridian Neighborhood Plan
City of Kalispell Airport Neighborhood Plan (see separate document)
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KALISPELL
FIGURE I
CITY -COUNTY
PLANNING JURISDICTION
�N
o „4 112 1 Mile
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INTROBUCTION
The Kalispell area is growing. As it grows, change is inevitable. What will
the community be like at the turn of the century? How many people will live
here? Where will they live - in the city or in the rural area? Will there be
jobs, schools, and parks for the new re=sidents? Who will provide police and
fire protection, road maintenance and ensure that sewer and water facilities
are available? The future is filled with questions. Through planning, the
people of this area are given an opportunity to face these questions today. Ey
answering these questions today, they have a direct voice in determining what
kind of future they want to see.
A city does not develop or change over night. It is a gradual step by step
process resulting from a series of related and unrelated decisions. Through
the preparation of a Master Plan, citizens of this area put down in writing
the policies and guidelines that should lead or direct the decision makers to
make the right decisions to in=ure that the desired future is a reality.
MASTER PLAN
The Kalispell City -County Master Flan is an official public document adopted
by the Kalispell City Council and the Flathead County Commission. It is a
policy guide :to decisions concerning the physical, social, economic, and
environmental development of the Planning Jurisdiction. The e=ssential
characteristics of the Pian are that it is comprehensive, general, and long
range:
"Comprehensive" means that the Plan applies to all geographical areas of
the Planning Jurisdiction. Montana State Law provides that, by mutual
agreement of the City and the County, the planning boundary may be
extended up to 4 1/2 miles beyond a city's corporate limits. Kalispell
has correspondingly extended its planning boundaries between 2 and 4 1/2
miles beyond the city limits (Figure 1). Comprehensive, also, means that
the Flan applies to all segments of the City and to the County within
the Planning Jurisdiction involved in development so as to coordinate
the Planning Jurisdiction's overall pattern of growth.
"General" means that the plan presents the goals, objectives and
policies necessary to give guidance to and to make decisions concerning
development, but does not indicate site-specific locations, engineered
solutions, or detailed regulations.
' "Long range" means that it looks beyond the present situation in an
attempt to anticipate future problems and possibilities. The planning
period to be addressed by this Plan is through the year 2010.
' The preparation of a City -County Master Plan is provided for in Montana State
Law Section 7E -1-E•01 M.C.A. which states "once formed The Planning Board shall
prepare a Master Plan for the Planning Jurisdiction." There follows a list of
tthe general contents and considerations that may be included in the Plan. It
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concludes by stating the City Council,the Board of Commissioners, or other
governing body within the Planning Jurisdiction shall be guided by and shall
give consideration to the general policy and pattern of development set out in
the Master Plan.
PAST EFFORTS
The city of Kalispell adopted its fir
that original plan was to "encourage and
channels so that our community will b
work and to live." In 1974, the City -Co
of updating the Plan to keep it current
within the community. The 1574 Plan w
County and the three cities of Whitef
jointly undertook the preparation of t
In 1924, the City -County Planning Board
of updating the Plan. Since 1574, con
have a major impact on the city. High
LaSalle. Substantial commercial growth
along Highway 2 and LaSalle, and sout
expansion in the Gateway West and the C
The Kalispell Regional Hospital area has
district. Residential development outsi
information, updated census data on po
completed land use inventory are now av
show the need for re-evaluating the exis
PLANNING PROCESS
Master Plan in 1962. The purpose of
uide growth into the most economical
ome an even more attractive place to
ty Planning Board undertook the task
d abreast of the changing conditions
re -affirmed in 1572 when Flathead
h, Columbia Falls, and Kalispell
Flathead County Comprehensive Pian.
nce again began undertaking the task
tions and trends have changed which
y 2 East has been re-routed along
as occurred outside the city east
along Highway 93, Major commercial
tral Business District are underway.
eveloped into a major medical/office
the city is booming. New floodplain
lation and employment and a recently
Table. All of these factors together
ng Master Plan.
Planning is meant to be a continuous, never-ending process. below are the
steps followed in updating the Kalispell City -County Master Plan:
1. Compile information about the socio-economic and physical
conditions of the area and critically evaluate such information to
establish the community's ne ds, potentials, and trends.
2.
J.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Adopt goals and objectives to be accomplished through the Plan.
Considering past trends and future changes, make population,
economic, land use and traffic projections through the year 2010.
Develop community growth concepts taking into consideration local
prevailing trends, growth stimulants and growth deterrents.
Prepare rational, efficient and balanced plans to meet projected
community needs in terms of land use, transportation, public
facilities, parks and open aces, housing and public services.
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Integrate these specific plns into a comprehensive plan setting ,
development guidelines and l nd use patterns for the future.
Recommend policies and meanslior implementing the Plan.
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I. MASTER PLAN
The Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction is going to see growth. But growth does
not have be in a manner that results in excessive or inequitable tax burdens
on its current residents. This growth does not have to contribute to further
degradation of the natural environment. Finally, this growth does not have to
1 result in a deterioration of public services. The Kalispell City -County Master
Plan has been developed to insure instead a viable positive future.
The Plan addresses four elements which embrace the major living and working
-
aspects of a community Land Use, Housing, Transportation, and Public
Facilities and Utilities. By addressing all of these separate elements as
integral parts of a greater single body, their relationships are brought into
' focus to more effectively plan for the future of Kalispell and the adjoining
rural lands.
' MASTER PLAN COMPONENTS
' The Master Plan is composed of three major components - The Text, the Master
Plan Map, and Goals and Objectives. All three of these components are equally
important and must be equally weighed. To adequately interpret and implement
the Plan, all three must be consulted for insight and direction. Relying on
' only one component will not always give a clear picture of the broad community
concepts or the spirit of the Plan. Or worse, it may lead to a twisting or
manipulation of the Plan. Each Plan component is explained below.
' The Text
' The text includes all the written material of the Plan as found herein. The
text provides the insight into community trends and conditions, for example,
locational considerations, environmental constraints, and a socio-economic
'
analysis. Based on these
insights
and information
plus the Goals and
The Master Plan Map
Objectives, four major plan
elements
are developed
addressing Land Use,
of
of the
Housing, Transportation, and
Public
Facilities. These
four elements form the
written basis for the Master
Plan and
establish the rational and justification
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supporting the Master Plan.
Jurisdiction. Based
on the
Housing Element (Chapter 6) an adequate mix of
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Master Plan Map
The Master Plan Map
is the
graphic illustration of the Master Plan. It
consists of a composite
Facilities elements
of
of the
the Land Use, Housing, Transportation, and Public
Plan. Based on the Land Use Element (Chapter 5),
the Master Plan Map
presents
the most desired growth pattern for the Planning
Jurisdiction. Based
on the
Housing Element (Chapter 6) an adequate mix of
housing is provided
for. Based
on the Transportation Element (Chapter 7) the
Map presents the
present
and future arterial/collector street systems.
Finally, based on the
Public
Facilities and Utilities Element (Chapter 2)
present and future public land and facilities
are shown as they interrelate
with the overall community design.
hold of what the good life
The Master Plan Map, Figure 2 (found in
the back pocket of this document), is '
meant to serve as a visual illustration
of the Plan. The future public
facilities sites are meant to indicate
generalized locations for needed
facilities and should not be construed
to be site-specific property
boundaries. The proposed extensions to
the arterial -collector street system 1
are meant to indicate desired routes and
access points. They have not been
engineered. Likewise, the future land use
plan designations are not meant to
be fixed or rigid boundaries. The lad
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use districts are separated by
transition areas in which uses from one
district can transition or blend into
an adjacent land use district. Transition
areas can take several forms. They
can be natural barriers such as highways,
streams, extremely steep unbuildable '
terrain or open space. Such barriers usually
allow for a safe separation
between negative impacts that might be
associated with uses in a particular
district such as industrial or commercial
from infringing upon a less intense
use such as residential. Where natural
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barriers are not present, it is
intended that the transition area take
the form of intermediate or less
impacting uses, green belt area, landscaping
or design techniques. The purpose
of transition areas then is to provide
an area where impacts (noise, odor,
,
vibration, traffic, density, height, etc.)
can be mitigated. Hence, to fully
appreciate and interpret the Master Plan
Map, it must be viewed in light of
the established Goal and Objective Statements
plus any insights provided by
the supporting text of the Plan.
Goals And Objectives
Planning
is directed by goals - those ideals
people
hold of what the good life
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is. Goals
are very long range statements
about the
future of a community, they
give direction.
They are, in essence,
what the
people of the Kalispell
Planning
Jurisdiction are striving for in
terms of
neighborhood and community
.
environment, growth, community services, etc. Objectives are much more
specific statements. They are shorter range and provide the basic steps to
achieve goals. Goals and objectives take together form the cornerstone of the '
Plan.
Goals followed by a series of objecti es have been developed for each of 12
specific areas: Growth Management, Administration, Environment, Housing, '
Economy, Land Use, Transportation, Public Facilities, Historic Preservation,
Recreation, Energy, and Agriculture. The Kalispell City -County Master Plan
Goals and Objectives are presented below. '
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GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Growth Manaaement
A COMPREHENSIVE, EFFECTIVE GROWTH MANAGEMENT PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES FOR
ALL THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, IS ADAPTABLE TO CHANGING TRENDS AND IS
ATTUNED TO THE OVERALL PUBLIC WELFARE.
a. Institute a land development code in the rural portion of the
Planning Jurisdiction (i.e. building code, zoning, permit system,
transfer of development rights, agricultural districts,
subdivision regulations, etc.).
b. Base the rural development code on the Kalispell City -County
Master Plan.
C. Coordinate all aspects of the rural land development code in the
rural area with the city of Kalispell development codes.
d. Adopt and continually update the Extension of Services Plan to
program the extension of such municipal services as water lines,
sewer lines, storm drainage and solid waste collection into growth
areas.
e. Adopt a municipal annexation program which coordinates with the
Extension of Services Plan to aggressively deal with fringe
developments setting the stage for immediate or future annexation
so as to preserve the tax base of the city and eliminate future
barriers to orderly growth.
f. Continually monitor, update, and streamline the present land
development codes (zoning, subdivision, etc.) to keep abreast of
changing trends and technologies, to simplify the development
process, and to avoid unnecessary costly delays in processing
applications.
Administration
A CITY AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATION WHICH JOINTLY COOPERATE IN PROMOTING,
GUIDING, AND DIRECTING THE PLANNING JURISDICTION'S GROWTH AND
DEVELOPMENT.
a. Initiate city -county agreements or programs which would
cooperatively influence the rate, amount and type of growth within
the Planning Jurisdiction and address all impacts created because
of development. For example:
I) The Kalispell City -County Master Plan should be jointly
adopted and used when considering any and all development
decisions.
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e. Identify areas of high ground water or otherwise not conducive to '
individual on-site sewage disposal and restrict development until
central or public sewer systems are available.
f. Incorporate soil erosion controls as part of the overall '
development review process.
Housing ,
A HOUSING SUPPLY WITHIN THE PLANNING JURISDICTION THAT MEETS THE NEEDS '
OF PRESENT AND FUTURE RESIDENTS IN TERMS OF SUPPLY, CHOICE AND LOCATION.
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2) The city and county should administer Floodplain Management
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Programs based on the National Flood Insurance Program.
Ordinances should be similar and compatible in content and
administration.
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3) The establishment of the urban road priority system should
be jointly arrived at between the city and county using the
Master Plan.
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4) County rural road priorities should be coordinated with the
Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction priorities.
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S) Industrial promotion of the rural county vs. urban city must
be coordinated so as to not work toward opposite ends.
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6) Develop a balance between development codes in the city and
the rural area which promotes or directs growth into the
city as opposed to uncontrolled, unrestrained growth in the
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rural area.
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3. Environment
AIR,
WATER, OPEN SPACE AND SCENIC VISTAS UNHINDERED BY POLLUTION,
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BLIGHT, OR OTHER DEGRADING FACTORS.
a.
Establish strict standards for all development which occurs in
environmentally sensitive or critical areas such as floodplains,
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lakeshores, drainage ways or excessive slope areas.
b.
Where appropriate, reserve areas within the IOU year floodplain in
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a natural state as parkland, wildlife habitat, open space or
agriculture.
C.
Administer and monitor the Federal Flood Insurance Program.
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d.
Develop a citywide drainage plan which would mitigate harmful
water pollution effects and reduce damage created by storm and
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surface water runoff.
4.
e. Identify areas of high ground water or otherwise not conducive to '
individual on-site sewage disposal and restrict development until
central or public sewer systems are available.
f. Incorporate soil erosion controls as part of the overall '
development review process.
Housing ,
A HOUSING SUPPLY WITHIN THE PLANNING JURISDICTION THAT MEETS THE NEEDS '
OF PRESENT AND FUTURE RESIDENTS IN TERMS OF SUPPLY, CHOICE AND LOCATION.
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5. Economy
A HEALTHY DIVERSIFIED ECONOMY PROMOTED BY CAREFUL PLANNING OF TYPE,
LOCATION AND DESIGN OF INDUSTRIAL SITES, SHOPPING AREAS AND TOURIST
FACILITIES.
a. Utilize the Overall Economic Development Plan as the master
document for developing economic development priorities in the
Planning Jurisdiction.
' b. Identify and conserve prime farm lands in order to retain farming
as a viable sector of the economy.
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C. Work with the Flathead Valley Community College to develop
training programs to train people for new jobs to meet the needs
of new or expanding employers.
1 d. The Chamber of Commerce should promote and coordinate business and
industry in accordance with the Master Plan.
' e. Undertake activities to ensure the Central Business District
remains strong and viable, i.e. provide adequate off-street
' parking, encourage rehabilitation of older commercial structures,
make the CRD more aesthetically appealing, and cater to the needs
of the pedestrian.
develop
a.
Identify deteriorating and dilapidated neighborhoods and
programs for rehabilitation of housing units and revitalization of
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infrastructure.
b.
Review the zoning text and map periodically to correct any
discriminating or Exclusionary requirements.
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C.
Review mobile home and manufactured housing codes and standards so
as to keep them updated and abreast of the changing technologies
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within the industry.
d.
Provide adequate areas and institute appropriate site design
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criteria for mobile home and manufactured home parks.
e.
Establish uniform permanent placement standards similar to those
imposed on conventional stick built houses for manufactured homes
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on individual single-family lots within the city.
f.
Coordinate the designation and development of higher density
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neighborhoods with adequate parklands and adjacent open space.
g.
Establish flexible Planned Unit Development Standards encouraging
residential or mixed-use development which address site
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limitations and incorporate interesting design and open space into
a unified development.
5. Economy
A HEALTHY DIVERSIFIED ECONOMY PROMOTED BY CAREFUL PLANNING OF TYPE,
LOCATION AND DESIGN OF INDUSTRIAL SITES, SHOPPING AREAS AND TOURIST
FACILITIES.
a. Utilize the Overall Economic Development Plan as the master
document for developing economic development priorities in the
Planning Jurisdiction.
' b. Identify and conserve prime farm lands in order to retain farming
as a viable sector of the economy.
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C. Work with the Flathead Valley Community College to develop
training programs to train people for new jobs to meet the needs
of new or expanding employers.
1 d. The Chamber of Commerce should promote and coordinate business and
industry in accordance with the Master Plan.
' e. Undertake activities to ensure the Central Business District
remains strong and viable, i.e. provide adequate off-street
' parking, encourage rehabilitation of older commercial structures,
make the CRD more aesthetically appealing, and cater to the needs
of the pedestrian.
f. Develop a complete tourism promotion program including all ,
components from advertising to the provision of additional
facilities such as new hotels and motels.
g. Promote the location of business and clean light industry so as to
provide job opportunities and maintain Kalispell's position as a
retail shopping center for northwest Montana. '
h. Create a countywide economic development committee to coordinate
with and meet prospective business and industry representatives. '
6. Land
Use
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THE
ORDERLY DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLANNING JURISDICTION WITH AMPLE SPACE
FOR
FUTURE GROWTH WHILE, AT THE SAME TIME, ENSURING COMPATIBILITY OF
ADJACENT
LAND USES.
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a.
Designate adequate areas for a variety of business and commercial
uses such as neighborhood oriented businesses and services,
highway -commercial oriented activities and general commercial
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uses.
b.
Set standards for the designation or expansion of commercial areas
based on a compact development pattern designed to meet the needs
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of the intended service area and not the desires of speculation or
strip developers.
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C.
Establish neighborhood commercial areas which are designed as
convenience service centers addressing the daily needs of the
immediate neighborhood (1/4 - 1/2 mile radius). Uses should be
landscaped and buffered so as to conform to the surrounding
neighborhood.
d.
Designate areas within the Planning Jurisdiction which are
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suitable for heavy industrial. Such areas should have adequate
access to rail and highway, be of sufficient size to allow for
future expansion, be generally level and well drained, and be
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adequately buffered from residential and commercial uses.
e. Establish additional areas for light industrial expansion within ,
or directly adjacent to the city. Target clean light industrial
uses around the airport away from height restricted areas to serve
as a buffer for adjacent land uses and to take advantage of '
airport transportation services.
f. Establish standards for buffering incompatible land uses and for
mitigating impacts caused by such arrangements. '
g. Maintain the character of the single-family neighborhoods.
h. Concentrate medium and high density residential units in areas ,
close to commercial services, good traffic access and open space
specifically to provide efficient access to these amenities for '
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the occupants and to provide a suitable buffer between commercial
and high traffic areas and low-density residential areas.
7. Transportation
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A COMPREHENSIVE CIRCULATION SYSTEM WHICH SERVES THE COMBINED NEEDS OF
THE COMMUNITY, PLANNING JURISDICTION AND REGION AND PROVIDES SAFE,
CONVENIENT AND ECONOMICAL ACCESS TO ALL THE FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE
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AREA.
a.
Establish a ring arterial street classification system to improve
travel through the city and within the city connecting the major
employment areas, the central business district, public
facilities, and residential neighborhoods.
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b.
Designate arterial streets which will provide for traffic movement
within and around the community and provide access to and from the
surrounding area.
'C.
Designate collector streets designed to move traffic within
segments of the community and funnel traffic to and from arterial
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streets.
d.
Designate local streets which will provide service within
neighborhoods and provide access to collectors.
e.
Investigate the feasibility of a transit system between Whitefish,
Big Mountain, Columbia Falls, Glacier International Airport and
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Kalispell.
f.
Provide a hiqhway arterial bypass for traffic which has no
destination within Kalispell.
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g.
Require off street parking to meet the needs of new construction.
h.
Develop a pedestrian -bicycle system to supplement the auto -
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oriented street system and to meet local transportation and
recreation needs.
8. Public Facilities
' AN ECONOMICAL, BALANCED DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES
THROUGHOUT THE PLANNING JURISDICTION FOR PRESENT AND ANTICIPATED FUTURE
RESIDENTS.
a. Designate areas of future development which are already serviced
or are in areas which can be economically serviced by water and
' sewer systems, police and fire protection, etc.
b. Coordinate sewer, water, and street planning and development with
the land development process.
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C. Develop programs of equitable financing for extending streets, '
sewer, water, storm, etc. into new developments.
d. Institute a capital improvements program so as to program in '
advance the upgrading and expansion of existing facilities.
e. Require adequate treatment of industrial waste and avoid storing
for tourist amenities in
or locating industrial waste in areas of high ground water without
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taking necessary precautions to avoid ground water contamination.
f. Identify the needs of the mobility handicapped and incorporate
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these needs into the planning and construction of all public
additional greenbelts and
improvements and facilities.
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g. Cooperate with the Flathead Valley Community College as they
d. Set procedures for accepting park
relocate into a new campus facility to fit the expanding needs of
this facility.
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9. Historic Preservation
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A HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE DOCUMENTED AND PRESERVED FOR THE
ENRICHMENT AND ENJOYMENT OF PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.
'
a. Identify all places and structures of local, state and national
historical significance within the Planning Jurisdiction.
b. Undertake actions to preserve these places and structures through
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local programs or community groups, assistance in placement on the
National Register of Historic Building and Places, private
rehabilitation/renovation programs using the associated tax
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benefits, etc.
10.
Recreation ,
A BALANCED DISTRIBUTION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE ,
PLANNING JURISDICTION PROVIDING ACCESS TO ALL AGE GROUPS AND INCOME
LEVELS.
a. Develop tot lots and neighborhood parks in conjunction with the '
school district.
b. Provide
for tourist amenities in
conjunction with recreational
areas.
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C. Develop
additional greenbelts and
open space areas along the
rivers
in areas unsuited for development.
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d. Set procedures for accepting park
lands, cash gifts, and cash—in—
lieu of
land.
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e. Provide balance of park
individual neighborhoods
Jurisdiction.
11. Energy
lands throughout the community serving
as well as the entire city and Planning
THE MOST EFFICIENT USE OF ENERGY AND APPLICATION OF RENEWABLE RESOURCES
WHILE ENHANCING THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE KALISPELL AREA AS A PLACE TO
LIVE AND WORK.
a. Promote energy conservation through efficient street layout and
utility installation, clustering of developments, and innovate
urban design standards.
b. Establish regulations to protect solar access.
C. Encourage infilling to take advantage of existing streets and
services.
d. Encourage transportation energy conservation by developing
pedestrian and bicycle oriented systems.
Agriculture
A STABLE VIABLE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY WHICH WILL SUPPORT THE COUNTY'S
AGRI-BUSINESS ECONOMY, PROVIDE BASIC EMPLOYMENT AND MAINTAIN OPEN AREAS.
a. Recognize that agriculture is an important element in the county's
economic base.
b. Recognize that highly productive agricultural lands are a finite
natural resource at the local, state, and national level.
C. Recognize that the agricultural usage of such prime agricultural
lands is appropriate and in the public interest.
d. Recognize that this resource should be protected by allowing the
limited conversion of agricultural lands only if those areas which
are not productive agricultural lands or where these lands are
needed for proper urban expansion.
e. Recognize that agricultural lands are important to the aesthetic
and wildlife quality of the county and as such are an integral
part of the county's tourism industry as well as its quality of
life.
f. Recognize that over one-third of the county's productive
agricultural land is located within municipal planning
jurisdictions and as such each municipality needs to actively work
to protect the agricultural base of the county.
11
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9.
Recognize that, due to the relative isolation of Flathead County,
,
there is a delicate balance between the remaining agricultural
lands and the county's agri-business support base.
'
h.
Develop land use policies which protect the agricultural land base
in the county.
and rural areas
'
i.
Direct growth to already established urban areas
which are not environmentally sensitive or productive agricultural
lands.
'
j.
Cooperate with other Planning Jurisdictions to develop one
agricultural land policy which considers the entire agricultural
base rather than four separate approaches.
'
k.
Avoid extending municipal services and roads into agricultural
lands which would result in the premature development of such
areas.
'
1.
Inventory and map the county's important agricultural lands.
'
M.
Develop a profile of the agricultural industry within the county
including the agri-business and its needs and impacts on the
county's economy.
'
n.
Develop agricultural land preservation programs which are founded
on progressive alternatives to traditional planning approaches.
,
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2. COMMUNITY SETTING
' There are many reasons why communities are established where they are.
Sometimes it is pure speculation, but in most cases it is for economic reasons
- for example, being located on a major transportation route or because of
abundant farmlands, mineral wealth or cheap power supply. Climate and
aesthetic reasons also play a role. Those communities that are successful and
thrive, such as Kalispell, are able to take advantage of their location and
' utilize it to its fullest.
The city of Kalispell is located in the Flathead Valley at the junction of
U.S. Highways 93 and 2, at an altitude of 2,959 feet. The city lies 30 miles
' southwest of Glacier National Park, 7 miles north of Flathead Lake, and 17
miles south of Whitefish Lake and Big Mountain Ski Resort Area. The city and
its rural Planning Jurisdiction cover approximately 63.5 square miles in what
' is commonly referred to as the Upper Flathead Valley, along the westerly
slopes of the Great Rocky Mountain Trench.
Kalispell is the major urban center of Flathead County and just over 40
percent of the county's population lived in the Kalispell Planning
Jurisdiction in 1950.
' EARLY KALISPELL
'
Prior to 1890, the only
trip across Flathead Lake
access into the valley was
and up the Flathead River.
from
The
the south, via a boat
Flathead Valley was a
vast undeveloped wilderness containing a mixture
of
excellent farmlands,
unlimited timber stands,
mineral wealth, coal deposits,
potential waterpower
'
and scenic beauty.
Two major events led to
development of Kalispell
and
the Flathead Valley.
' First, the European immigration of the 1870's and 1880's brought a hugh influx
of farmers in search of cheap good western farmland. Hand in hand with this,
the Great Northern Railroad brought a new accessible entrance into the valley.
' Kalispell really started as Demersville established in 1887 by Jack Demers
just a few miles southeast of present day Kalispell. Demersville was built on
the shore of Flathead River at the Head of Navigation and flourished as a
' major distribution center as farmers, ranchers, and businessmen poured into
the Flathead Valley. The promise of the railroad coming into the valley
brought a major boom in 1890 as speculators believed Demersville, being the
' Head of Navigation, would make an ideal division point. At its peak the town
boasted 72 saloon licenses, residential lots sold for $500 and commercial land
was so expensive, buildings were constructed on leased land with lots renting
for as much as $100 per month. Fate prevailed though. Two catastrophic fires
' in mid and late 1891 destroyed several blocks of the young city. During the
same time it was announced that Kalispell, just three miles to the north would
be the new railroad division point. A great exodus of buildings and people
' followed and by the spring of 1892 only a handful of businesses and homes
13
1
remained in Demersville. The final blow came 15 years later when June
"Head
'
highwater shifted the river channel, leaving Demersville the of
Navigation" high and dry one half mile away from the Flathead River.
Kalispell, founded on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1891, was named by Railroad
Baron James J. Hill. The name came from the Pend Oreille Indians and means
"Camas" or "the prairie above the lake." Kalispell was established as the
railroad division point over the more obvious Columbia Falls, as speculators
'
behind the Columbia Falls Land Company had driven land costs too high in that
area. The Kalispell Townsite, in anticipation of the proposed railroad
development, was purchased by Northwest Land Company of Moorhead, Minnesota.
'
Platted land sales began in April 1891 with sales exceeding $1009000 the first
day. Building construction began in May and by October when the County
Commissioners in Missoula officially recognized the townsite of Kalispell,
'
there were 23 chinese laundries, and four general stores. In 1893, a citywide
electrical system and a sewer and water system boasting 57 fire hydrants (a
novelty in the west) were constructed. By 1894, Kalispell was established as
the new county seat. Activities slowed as droughts and a railroad strike
,
hampered economic growth in the mid -1890's, but because of the vast potential
of Kalispell and Flathead County, swarms of young men continued to move into
the area. By the year 1900, Kalispell was known throughout the nation for its
'
large number of wealthy bachelors. Men outnumbered women three to one and
there was a chronic scarcity of wives and school teachers. Despite this
temporary social setback, the turn of the century saw new vitality. In 1899,
'
there were 130 houses constructed. In 1900 there were 200 homes constructed,
the population stood at 2,500 and farmland prices had risen to $40 per acre.
In 1901 over 300 houses were built. Figure 3 on the following page is a 1902
Sanborn Map showing early Kalispell south of the railroad tracks. Kalispell
'
continued to prosper except for a minor setback in 19041 when the Railroad
Division Point and several hundred railroad workers were shifted to Whitefish.
By this time, however, Kalispell was entrenched as the commercial,
'
governmental, and professional center of the county and areas beyond and
remains so to the present day.
Early Kalispell, prompted by its vast riches and potentials, also had its
,
share of grand dreams and schemes. In the 290's a company was formed to
extend the railroad between Kalispell and Missoula, to once again put
Kalispell back on the main line railroad. A capitol stock sale of $2,000,000
'
offered in $100 shares was to make this dream a reality, but in the end, it
was just a dream. In 1907, plans were drawn up to dredge a 2 1/2 mile canal to
the Flathead River and make Kalispell a river port. It never came to be. In
1911, an elaborate ground breaking ceremony was held and stock was offered for
'
construction of an electric railway system connecting all communities in the
valley. Again an overly ambitious project yet just a dream. These early
promoters of Kalispell were trying to create and capitalize on the boom town
'
growth that they felt should have swept Kalispell. The boom never came.
Instead, and in many regards to the betterment of the community, the Kalispell
area has experienced stable and continuous growth throughout its existence.
'
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE '
The Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction is located in the Upper Flathead Valley
which is a broad valley located along the westerly slopes of the Great Rocky '
1.4
Kalispell, Montana —1902
AnAPfLO FROM SAXRORS-MIRRIS MAPS
Gnnlm Mnnl... Hitlnnnl ub."
-;4—x
/'-+P
❑oo❑opo
15 FIGURE 3
I
Mountain Trench. The valley is composed of nearly level alluvial lands, bottom
,
lands and low terraces along the Flathead, Whitefish, and Stillwater Rivers.
Kalispell enjoys a relatively mild climate for its elevation and latitude due
'
principally to the influence of topographical features. The high mountains of
the Continental Divide to the east provide protection from the Great Plains
Climate while the mountains to the west interrupt passage of the Great Basin
Climate found in Spokane. In addition, water surfaces associated with the many
'
existing lakes and rivers tend to moderate temperatures in both winter and
summer. As a result, Kalispell's weather ranges from a moderately dry summer
and autumn to a moderately wet winter and spring. On the average, Kalispell
'
has a temperature of 27.1 degrees Fahrenheit in January and 54.3 degrees
Fahrenheit in July. Annual rainfall averages 20.27 inches and annual snow fall
49.0 inches. The average length of the growing season is 104 to 125 days.
'
The valley's moderate temperatures play an important role in the area's
economy. The moderate winter is important to industry and residents with
respect to heating costs. The mild springs and summers provide an ideal
,
climate for cash crops such as cherries, fresh vegetables, barley, mint, etc.,
and benefit businesses and residents with respect to summer cooling costs. On
the whole, the mild climate and progressive characteristics of Kalispell and
'
its vicinity make this area attractive for living, working, and recreation and
are all contributing factors for intensive immigration during recent decades.
1
LOCATION POTENTIAL
Kalispell is situated in the south central portion of the county resulting in
'
a central location among the smaller cities and communities of Flathead County
and the region. Refer to Figure 4. Kalispell is strategically situated nearly
equi-distant from four major urban centers, Calgary in the north, Spokane in
'
the west, Missoula in the south, and Great Falls in the east. As illustrated
in Figure 5, Kalispell is located less than 200 air miles from these major
population centers in which nearly a million people live and work. Access to
the Flathead Valley from these areas is by auto and bus passenger routing on a
'
regional highway system, by both direct and indirect air passenger service,
and by Amtrak Rail Service. In addition, U.S. Highway 93 and U.S. Highway 2
pass through the community, thus connecting the area to every major community
'
in a three county (Lincoln, Flathead, and Lake) region. Kalispell also has
convenient access to Glacier Park International Airport, nine miles to the
north, which is serviced by Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines; thus
'
connecting the area to major cities in the United States.
As a result of its location and convenient transportation facilities, ,
Kalispell has become the trade and service center of northwestern Montana.
Also, because of its proximity to Whitefish and Columbia Falls, an
interdependence between the three cities has developed which complements one
another due to their different economic bases. Columbia Falls provides the '
major industrial base, Whitefish is recreationally oriented and Kalispell
contains the majority of the retail services. Kalispell is also the regional
center for Federal, State, and County government, higher education, and '
medical and hospital services. Finally, situated as it is in the midst of the
fertile Flathead Valley, Kalispell serves as a major agricultural service
center for the surrounding agricultural industry. '
1. E.
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KALISPELL
FIGURE 4
KALISPELL
GENERAL LOCATION MAP
.Y.
W.I... v.a_ ;
T.G.
/ ALOVITA
1�
BLACKFOOT
INDIAN
I0ESEHVATION
Mileage from Kalispell...
Flathead Lake
7
Bigfork
20
Missoula
125
Canadian Border
72
Polson
50
Columbia Falls
13
Whitefish
13
Glacier National Park
32
Spokane
245
Lake Louise
306
Calgary
310
17
FIGURE 5 ,
REGIONAL SETTING
J •1 ` 1
CALGARY \
CANADA '
I USA
IDAHO / \ 1
I KALISPELL = = s =
I I ( Eo E
\\ / l 1
1SPOKANE*\ GREAT
� _ _ � � �
\ \ / FALLS • /1
\ \ MISSOULA
WASHINGTON \ \ BUTTE �/ '
OREGON
MONTANA
WYOMING '
rl '
0 50 100 miles '
FLATHEAD REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICE '
18
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1 3, ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
' The natural environment plays a significant role in shaping the physical
development of a community. Factors such as geology, topography, soil type or
floodplain may pose as either deterrents or stimulants to development.
' Consequently, it is important to analyze these in determining the natural
carrying capacity of the Planning Jurisdiction.
1
1
1
Four environmental factors - soils, agriculturally productive lands,
topography and floodplain - have been selected for analysis as these factors
play an important part in determining which areas should be developed and the
intensity of such development. The scope of this analysis is broad and
general, with the intention of identifying broad planning objectives.
SOILS
Basic soil data provides a valuable insight into making good land use
decisions. The suitability of soil types for building construction, road
construction, on-site sewage disposal or agricultural production will help
determine where development could occur, what costs a developer or the City
may incur to alleviate limitations presented by poor soils and what trade-offs
exist to developing agricultural lands.
The most reliable soils information available on a broad scale is found in the
1960 Soil Conservation Service Soil Survey for the Upper Flathead Valley Area.
As illustrated in Figure 6, the existence of certain types of soils renders
some areas unsuitable for urban development because of one or more of the
following properties: high water table, alkalinity or acidity, salinity,
shrink - swell behavior, stoniness, depth to bedrock, high water table,
corrosivity or slow or rapid permeability. For the most part these problem
soils occur to the south of the present city limits, and to a lesser extent to
the west. However, although soils may be unfavorable for development, most of
the disadvantages could be overcome through engineering techniques which
usually involve an added expense to the public in providing services such as
streets, water and sewer.
SLOPE
How the land lays affects almost every aspect of development. Land can be too
flat for some uses and too steep for others. Slope is one of the controlling
factors in the design of streets, storm drainage facilities, sewer and water
lines, lot orientation and density. Problems that usually occur because of
slope can be grouped under three headings:
Grade: Slopes that are too steep or too gentle for a particular land use
and, therefore, must be changed by cut and fill if development is
to occur.
19
Erasion: Slopes with steep inclines, composed of light vegetative cover and '
loose soil material are thus conducive to loss of soil by erosion.
Failure: Slopes that are composed of weak, steeply inclined materials which
have low bearing (weight -supporting) capacity and are prone to
mass movements such as mudflcws, creep and slides. '
It is difficult to be specific about slope limitations because of the amount
of site design and engineering which may or may not be incorporated into a ,
particular land use. Generally, though, 0-10% slopes are well suited for most
development activity. Slopes of 11-20% are still suitable for some types of
development, but engineering constraints and problems are much more prevalent.
Slopes beyond 20'% consistently exhibit one or more problems of grade, erosion '
or failure. Any developments in this range should be closely scrutinized.
Steep slope
or severe topography do not appear to
be a major
constraint upon
Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction subject the adjacent lands to periodic flood
development
in the Planning Jurisdiction (Figure
6). Steep
slopes do exist
'
southwest of
the city in the Lone Pine State Park- Fay's
Lake Area. Steep
'
slopes are
also found along the major rivers
including
the Flathead,
Insurance Study prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in
Whitefish, and
Stillwater.
'
Evergreen, while purported to be a 100 year event, was estimated more closely
'
FLOODPLAIN
'
The existence of the Flathead, Stillwater, and Whitefish Fivers within the
Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction subject the adjacent lands to periodic flood
hazards. Major floods have been recorded in 1894, 1926, 19331 1948, 1964 and
'
1975. The primary yardstick used to measure the flood prone areas is the 100
year floodplain. This defines an area covered by a flood of such intensity
that it would, on average, occur only once every one hundred years or,
'
described another way, a flood that has a 1% chance of occurring in any given
year. To put this flood potential into perspective, the Flathead Flood
Insurance Study prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in
1984 analyzed data from the six flood events listed above. The 1975 flood in
'
Evergreen, while purported to be a 100 year event, was estimated more closely
to be a 25 year flood. Officials at the time estimated property damage in
excess of two million dollars. News releases at the time reported over 50
'
residences were surrounded by rising water and over 200 mobile homes were
either flooded or pulled from high water areas in the Evergreen area.
On the other hand, the 1964 flood was of such magnitude that it is not
'
reasonably expected to occur again. The flows through Columbia Falls on the
Flathead were 25% higher than a 500 year flood event and only the Hungry Horse
Dam on the South Fork of the Flathead saved the valley from greater damage.
'
This flood was triggered by torrential rains which swept through the mountains
and valley during a period of unseasonably high spring temperatures which were
already causing a rapid thaw of an unusually high spring snowpack.
'
Floodplain information for the Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction is derived from
the Federal Emergency Management Administration Flood Insurance Study. All
lands within the Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction are covered by the regular
Flood Insurance Program and Flood Insurance Fate Maps have been published.
1
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KALISPELL
CITY - COUNTY
PLANNING JURISDICTION
GROWTH DETERRENTS
Q- FLOOD PLAIN
Q -UNFAVORABLE SOIL
®-STEEP SLOPES (+20%)
21
FIGURE 6
0 114 112 1 Mile
Kalispell administers the program within the city and Flathead County ,
administers the program within the unincorporated areas.
Floodplain areas within the Planning Jurisdiction are shown on Figure 6. Areas '
of major concern are along the entire Flathead River east of Willow Glen Drive
and in East Evergreen. Areas of minor flooding are found along the Whitefish ,
and Stillwater Rivers and Ashley Creek.
AGRICULTURAL LANDS
'
The Soil Conservation Service has historically been involved in mapping soil
types and determining soil and land capabilities. They have developed an
agriculture lands rating system designating all soils Class I -VIII based an
'
the soil's agricultural capabilities and necessary associated management
practices. A second and more current system using soils data has been
developed which designates farmlands that are prime, prime if irrigated, of
'
State importance or of local importance. All other lands are considered not
physically or economically viable for agriculture. Within the Planning
Jurisdiction, these four farmlands designations have been mapped using the
'
1960 Soil Survey which covers the entire Jurisdiction except the extreme
'
southwest corner.
Although these classification systems are useful, they do not necessarily
'
address land use, local values or productivity yields all of which affect the
farmability of a particular piece of land. As a result of these shortcomings,
the U.S. Soil Conservation Service has recently developed a method which
'
evaluates soil productivity and factors in local values at the same time. This
program is called the Land Evaluation and Site Assessment System (LESA). This
evaluation system uses two sets of evaluation criteria to assign a rating to
'
lands previously mapped by the Soil Conservation Service. The system uses an
indicator crop that can be grown throughout the survey area to determine the
potential yield of each individual sail type in the area. Following that, each
parcel of land can be evaluated based an its local values (wildlife,
'
historical, floodplains), the probability for development and its suitability
for preservation (agricultural value).
The Flathead
'
Rural Resource Development Council under the direction of the
Flathead Conservation District applied the LESA system to soils within the
county. Using barley as an indicator crop and a working committee of area
farmers and representatives from a host of land based public agencies such as
,
the SCS, Forest Service, State Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and County Planning,
a local system was developed. It is being called the Upper Flathead Farmland
Development Assessment (UFFDA). It has since been adopted by the Conservation
'
District and is used by the local Soil Conservation Service. Furthermore, the
Federal Farmlands Protection Policy Act requires that the SCS review all
federally funded projects which impact important agricultural lands. The local
t
SCS office is using the UFFDA system. Figure 6 shows important farmlands using
just the soil productivity rating developed for UFFDA.
In general, excluding the floodplain areas of the Flathead and other smaller
'
rivers and excluding the Foy's Lake area because of topography, the remainder
of the jurisdiction contains productive, important agricultural lands. Site
specific use of the UFFDA system will help further clarify the extraneous
'
22
I
9
u. S.2
LAKE
0
ni.
ot,
.if %
1.
mom,
TIME U
ity Rating System
SOURCE: Soil prcducti Flathead Farmland
dev8lO;.d for the Upper (UFFDA) by the
Development Assessment
CITY COINTY Rural Resource Development Council - 1984 0 114 112 1 Mile
PLANNING JURISDICTION under contract
Conservation Di5tr'h ctohe Flathead
23
I
impacts of land use, wildlife, floodplain, etc. as to the ultimate suitability '
of farmland usage.
SUMMARY
Figure b does present a definitive pattern where the cummulative effects of
steep slopes,
poor sails and floodplains effectively prohibit economical
development. While it is
true that engineering and design can mitigate many of,
the identified problems, such actions
are costly and quite often pose new
problems. In general development to the southwest
'
of Kalispell in the
foothills — Lone Pine area should be discourage outside of the
valley floors.
Furthermore development along the entire floodplain of the Flathead should be
discouraged. Serious
soil problems exist to the south of Kalispell between
U.S. 58 and the foothills to
'
the west and while urban services (sewer and
water) and proper design features can address the problems, development
be
expensive. will
'
It would appear that the most suitable area for future growth would be to the
north and west. Ironically as
shown in Figure 5A, this area contains the
greatest concentration of prime farmland. While it is
'
not realistic to assume
that prime farmlands next to a growing urban area
can forever remain
undisturbed, it does call out the need to encourage infill development
the
within
community and to closely scrutinize and weigh the impacts of future growth
'
24
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1 4. POPULATION AND 8COROMY
1
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The study of population and economic characteristics provides a keen insight
into the human resources of an area. This information provides the basis for
projecting future population growth. This in turn is used by both public and
private groups to plan for such things as future land acquisition, expansion
and extension of services and utilities to name a few.
POPULATION
A community is only as vital and viable as the people that live there. The
rate of growth, the age distribution, level of education and migration trends
all play an important part in shaping the image and future of the area. All of
these characteristics need to be analyzed to present a clear picture of the
anticipated and potential growth in the Planning Jurisdiction.
Population Trends
At the turn of the century, Kalispell was a bustling town of 2,500. Since that
time, Kalispell has twice doubled its population growing to just over 5,100 by
1920 and reaching 10,151 in 1960. It appears that 1960 stands out as a pivotal
time in the growth of the Planning Jurisdiction. Prior to 1960, the city
routinely had growth rates in excess of I5-20% per decade and the vast
majority of development within the entire jurisdiction occurred within the
city of Kalispell. From 1960 forward, growth trends and pressures changed. In
1960, approximately 3,000 people lived in the Planning Jurisdiction outside of
Kalispell and city residents outnumbered rural by over three to one. By 1970,
growth inside the city slowed to 4% per decade and the population stood at
10,526, while growth outside the city grew by 55% to approximately 4,900
people. The gap had narrowed and city residents only outnumbered rural
residents by a two to one ratio. In 1930, Kalispell's city growth rate slowed
to only 1% for the previous 10 years rising to 10,643 while the rural area
boomed doubling to approximately 10,500 people. For the first time the rural
population equaled the city population within the Planning Jurisdiction.
What the trends above show is that, since 1960, the Planning Jurisdiction has
continued to grow at a healthy rate of 23% per decade. The settlement pattern
has changed though due both to personal preference and economics. Major
factors that gave rise to this change include an improved rural road system
offering better access to rural areas, the lower tax rate outside the city,
the ready availability of on-site water and sewage disposal, the lack of
developable vacant residential land in Kalispell, Montana law precluding any
city from adopting aggressive annexation laws, lax land use regulations in the
county which have led to substantial speculation and land development, an
increasing awareness and desire for a rural lifestyle with easy access to
urban amenities, and, finally, the city's policy of extending sewer mains into
unincorporated areas to serve specific developments.
25
Given the situation that all of these factors are still valid today, the trend
of slowing municipal growth rate and an increasing rural growth rate is
expected to continue.
Cities are part of a larger region. In order to evaluate local population
trends it is essential to analyze them in relation to the population
fluctuations within the region as is shown on Table 1 below. Flathead County
is the fourth largest and one of the fastest growing counties in Montana more
than doubling the States' growth rate between 1970-1980. Kalispell is the
largest city in Flathead County containing over 20% of the county population.
Kalispell is also the slowest growing city in the county. In the past two
decades, Kalispell has grown only 4% and 1% respectively while Whitefish has
averaged over 10% and Columbia Falls has averaged 20% growth during the same
time. All three cities are growing at a much slower rate than the county's
rates of 20% and 32% respectively indicating that population growth in the
rural areas is outstripping municipal growth. As was discussed above, this is
the case in the rural portion of the Planning Jurisdiction where Kalispell has
almost stagnated while the entire Planning Jurisdiction is experiencing growth
equal to or greater than the county.
TABLE 1
POPULATION TRENDS
Kalispell Area, Flathead County, Montana
1960-1980
Source: U.S. Census
' Flathead Regional Development Office
Age Structure and Migration
The evaluation of the age structure of a community provides an insight into
its migratory trends, potential work force and retirement population. In
comparing the Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction to both the County and the
State, the age structure is very typical. (See Table 2) Approximately one-
fourth (114) of the population is under 15 years of age (pre-school and school
age), approximately two-thirds (2/3) of the population is 15-64 (the Senior
High - College and primary labor force population) and the remaining 12'% is
retirement age (65 and over). A dramatic difference though is evident when
comparing the city of Kalispell to the rural portion of the Planning
26
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POPULATION
% CHANGE
1930 1970 1960 1970-80 1960-70
1950-60
Kalispell
10,648
10,526 10,151
1
4
4
Kalispell Plan
Jurisdiction'
21,147
15,426 13,151
37
17
-
Columbia Falls
17
24
73
Whitefish
10
13
-14
Flathead County
51,966
32
20
4
Montana
786,690
i3
3
14
Source: U.S. Census
' Flathead Regional Development Office
Age Structure and Migration
The evaluation of the age structure of a community provides an insight into
its migratory trends, potential work force and retirement population. In
comparing the Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction to both the County and the
State, the age structure is very typical. (See Table 2) Approximately one-
fourth (114) of the population is under 15 years of age (pre-school and school
age), approximately two-thirds (2/3) of the population is 15-64 (the Senior
High - College and primary labor force population) and the remaining 12'% is
retirement age (65 and over). A dramatic difference though is evident when
comparing the city of Kalispell to the rural portion of the Planning
26
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
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Jurisdiction especially keeping in mind that the respective populations are
approximately equal.
TABLE 2
AGE STRUCTURE
Kalispell, Planning Jurisdiction, County, State
1980
AGE
GROUP
CITY
OF
KALISPELL
KALISPELL
PLANNING
AREA
FLATHEAD
COUNTY
MONTANA
POP.
y.
POP.
%
POP.
%
POP.
0 -
4
762
7.2
1,723
8.1
4,285
8.2
64,455
8.2
5 -
14
1,471
13.8
3.314
15.7
8,451
16.3
122,777
15.6
15 -
24
1,699
15.9
3,604
17.0
89655
16.7
148,640
18.9
25 -
84
1,839
17.3
3,733
17.7
91375
18.0
132,925
16.9
35 -
44
1,028
9.7
2,329
11.0
6,202
. 11.9
88,419
11.2
45 -
54
961
9.0
1,919
9.1
4,901
9.4
73,677
9.4
55 -
64
1,091
10.2
11963
9.3
4,721
9.1
71,238
9.1
65 +
1,797
16.9
2,562
12.1
5,376
10.4
84,559
10.7
TOTAL
10,648
100.0
21,147
100.0
51,966
100.0
7869690
100.0
Source: F.R.D.O. 1983
U. S. Census, 1980
The city has substantially fewer people in each age category under 45 years.
This includes children and young families of child-bearing age. The 45-54 age
group is equal; but, a major difference again appears in the 55 and over age
groups which includes predominately families whose children have left and the
retired. The City has a dramatically higher proportion of elderly people and
houses two-thirds (2/3) of all the retired residents of the jurisdiction.
Consequently, Kalispell is functioning as a retirement community. Conversely,
in the rural areas adjacent to the city, a substantially large number of
children and young families in the child-bearing age reside. This shows a
major preference by young families to live outside the city.
To further substantiate the shift in the age of Kalispell's population, Figure
7 presents a population pyramid comparing 1970 and 1980 age categories.
Ideally, the figure should be a perfect pyramid showing a large base (the
younger ages) tapering to a small point (the extreme elderly). In Kalispell's
case, the figure is more hourglass in shape showing a smaller than expected
base of children (0-19), a constricted middle age class (35-55) and a larger
27
85+
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4
FIGURE 7
CITY OF KALISPELL
POPULATION PROFILE BY AGE
1970 AND 1980
SOURCE: 1970 and 1980 U. S. Census.
28
70
V
I
' than normal elderly and retired population. While the trend was evident in
1970, it became much more pronounced by 1980.
' Finally, while the city's population is stable showing only minimal growth
between 1970 and 1980, the city has experienced substantial outmigration of
its 5-19 year olds. Correspondingly, there appears to be a slight immigration
' of 45-64 year olds coupled with an increased life expectancy of the elderly
due to improved health care and conditions.
' All of the above observations are reflected in the median age of Kalispell
which in 1980 stood at 32.4 compared to the much lower 29.7 for Flathead
County and 29.0 for the State.
' ECONOMY
' The economy of the Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction is based on timber,
agriculture, tourism, and retailing. It is important, though, when considering
the local economy, to look at a broader scope. For example, the economies of
' both Whitefish and Columbia Falls are intertwined with that of Kalispell. All
are within easy commuting distance and all three have developed a degree of
interdependence. Whitefish is the tourism center, Columbia Falls is the
' industrial hub and Kalispell is the commercial/professional center in the
valley.
'
Employment Characteristics
Major employment categories are shown in Table 3
for Kalispell for both 1970
and 1980. These figures support
the fact
that Kalispell is a
retail/professional center with over
50% of the
employment in these two
categories. These categories grew
24% and 33% over the past decade
respectively and along with Finance,
Insurance and
Real Estate which grew 60%
'
posted the largest gains. Meanwhile,
construction,
manufacturing and communi-
cations actually remained the same or
slightly declined
over the past decade.
Comparing Kalispell to the county and state there are several obvious
differences. (Table 4) Manufacturing is below the county average reflecting
Columbia Falls' dominance. Transportation is below both the county and state.
' Wholesale and retail trade; finance, insurance and services; and professional
services are all substantially above the county and state average again
reflecting the prominence of Kalispell as a retail -financial -professional
center. In light of this trend the industrial, export or basic industries have
suffered. Between 1970 and 19805 manufacturing and agriculture showed no
growth even though total employment grew 23% during the decade.
Basic industry provided jobs .and income which helps support the non -basic
(trade services) portion of the economy. While the relative stagnation of the
basic sector of Kalispell's economy is a negative factor and needs to be
corrected, it does not appear to detract from or hinder the non -basic sector
' of the economy. The retail service area that Kalispell commands greatly
exceeds the Planning Jurisdiction Boundaries effectively mitigating many of
the adverse impacts typically associated with a small industrial base.
' Kalispell serves as the regional trading center for a large portion of
29
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northwestern Montana including Lincoln, Sanders, and Flathead Counties plus '
southern Canada and thus has the ability to tap a vast potential of wealth.
TABLE 3
EMPLOYED PERSONS 16 AND OVER BY INDUSTRY
Kalispell
1970-1980
Source: U.S. Census, 19 N, lytlo
Economic Trends
1
1
There are several measures of local economic conditions. They include growth '
in the labor force, unemployment rate and per capita incomes. As is shown in
Table 5, the labor force in Kalispell grew by over 1,000 posting a 28'% growth
rate between 1970 and 1930. The work force (those people employed) also
increased an astonishing 23'%. This is in light of Kalispell's growth of only '
1% increasing 121 people during the same period. Much of this trend can be
attributed to the increasing presence of women in the labor force being
experienced nationwide. Per capita income also increased by 27% between 1970 '
and 1980 (1970 income was adjusted for inflation) which is yet another
indication of a healthy economy.
3C)
1
1970
1980
#
%
#
%
INDUSTRY
People
Total
Pecole
Total
Construction
283
7.8
289
6.5
Manufacturing
511
14.1
488
11.0
Transportation
87
2.4
142
3.2
Communications & Other Public Utilities
175
4.8
161
8.6
Wholesale and Retail Trade
1,034
28.6
1,285
28.9
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Business &
293
8.1
467
10.5
Repair Services
Professional & Related Services
702
19.4
974
21.9
Public Administration
182
5.0
231
5.2
Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries & Mining
118
3.3
133
3.0
Personal, Entertainment & Recreation Services
236
6.5
273
6.1
TOTAL
3,621
100.0
4,443
100.0
Source: U.S. Census, 19 N, lytlo
Economic Trends
1
1
There are several measures of local economic conditions. They include growth '
in the labor force, unemployment rate and per capita incomes. As is shown in
Table 5, the labor force in Kalispell grew by over 1,000 posting a 28'% growth
rate between 1970 and 1930. The work force (those people employed) also
increased an astonishing 23'%. This is in light of Kalispell's growth of only '
1% increasing 121 people during the same period. Much of this trend can be
attributed to the increasing presence of women in the labor force being
experienced nationwide. Per capita income also increased by 27% between 1970 '
and 1980 (1970 income was adjusted for inflation) which is yet another
indication of a healthy economy.
3C)
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TABLE 4
EMPLOYED PERSONS 16 AND OVER
Kalispell, Flathead County and Montana
1980
INDUSTRY
KALISPELL
x
OF TOTAL
FLATHEAD
COUNTY
x
OF TOTAL
MONTANA
x
OF TOTAL
Construction
6.5
7.3
7.0
Manufacturing
11.0
17.5
7.4
Transportation
3.2
5.2
5.7
Communication & Other Public Utilities
3.6
3.3
3.3
Wholesale and Retail Trade
28.9
22.7
22.5
Finance, Insurance, Business & Repair
10.5
8.3
8.0
Services
Professional & Related Services
21.9
18.7
21.6
Public Administration
5.2
4.2
6.7
Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries,
3.0
6.2
13.2
& Mining
Personal, Entertainment & Recreation
6.1
6.5
4.6
TOTAL
100.0
100.1
100.1
Source: U.S. Census, 1980
' Unemployment has also increased in the Valley and sits at a very high level.
Employment in the Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction as well as western Montana
in general is subject to large seasonal variations. These fluctuations in
' employment over the course of a year are due mostly to climate and industrial
mix. Large seasonal variations in employment mean that substantial numbers of
workers will be unemployed during part of the year which results in a higher
' annual rate of unemployment. Outdoor activities such as wood products and
especially logging, are affected by severe winter weather and spring thaws.
Tourist -related activities, although increasing in the winter season, still
are concentrated in the summer months as a result of custom and climate. The
' importance of these two seasonal industries in the Kalispell Planning
Jurisdiction contributes to the area's high unemployment rate. See Table 5.
TABLE 5
LABOR FORCE AND PER CAPITA INCOME
Kalispell
1970-1980
CRITERIA
1970
1980
CHANGE
8 '%
Labor Force
3,949
5,041
1,092
28
Employed
3,621
4,443
622
23
Unemployed
328
598
270
82
% Unemployed
8.3
11.9
3.6
43
Per Capita Income'
$ 5,680 $
7,214
$1,534
27
----------------------------
1980 Actual figure,
--
1970 per capita income
of
$2,812 was adjusted for
inflation, Montana
Business Quarterly,
Bureau
of Business and
Economic
Research, University
of Montana, Missoula
Source: U.S. Census
Summary of Economic Components
Retail
Kalispell is the major retailing center in the county. I -t actually functions
as a service center for a trade area that extends beyond the county limits.
The total trade area includes all of Flathead County, Lincoln County to the
northwest, and portions of Lake County to the south. Kalispell also draws
shoppers from Canada to the north, Idaho to the west, and from areas east of
the Continental Divide. Kalispell has a trade area of nearly 6,000 square
miles which presented an effective buying income of over $156 million within
Flathead County in 1974 and $211 million in 1978. These figures do not include
Kalispell's wholesale potential. In addition, a recent market study found that
Flathead County is retaining only 65% of their potential retail sales.
According to the 1981 Editor and Publisher Market Guide, Flathead County has
the effective buying income of $384,832,000 but estimated sales for Flathead
County for 1982 was only $306,803,000. The strongest competition that the
county faces for retail sales is Missoula, 122 miles south; Great Falls, 221
miles east; and Spokane, 251 miles west.
Retail activity is on the upswing in and around Kalispell. The Outlaw Inn has
been a leader in promoting large conventions and other tourist related
promotions that have stimulated Kalispell area retailers at every level.
Another major development is the Kalispell downtown shopping mall and motel
complex located on Burlington Northern property along Center Street between
Main Street and Fifth Avenue West. The Gateway West Shopping Mall on the west
side of Kalispell has undertaken an aggressive expansion program, as well. In
.the Central Business District, low-interest rehabilitation loans have been
made available with a leveraging agreement between the City of Kalispell
Community Development Department and First Northwestern National Bank for
commercial improvements. Also, additional off-street parking spaces were made
32
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available through a coordinated effort of a Special Improvement District, an
EDA grant, and lease agreements between the Parking commission and other
private landowners.
Tourism
Although the economic base of the area has long been agricultural and forestry
related industries, the area is becoming more popular as a tourist and
retirement center. The Big Mountain Ski Resort, 27 miles north of Kalispell,
is one of the finest in the country, having the advantage over others because
of the unusual length of its snow season with good skiing from late November
until late April. The ski resort has a considerable spin-off effect on other
jobs and businesses in the Flathead Valley. An independent study, conducted in
1982 for the Big Mountain, shows that skiers spent $23.8 million in the
Flathead Valley during the 1981-1982 season with only about 20'6 to 30% of that
amount being spent directly at the ski resort. The rest was tied to food
services, gas stations, sports equipment merchants, advertisers and even
insurance companies resulting in an injection of funds to the surrounding
areas. In addition, Big Mountain has completed and is now implementing a
Master Plan for major expansion of the existing facility.
Kalispell is situated within a 30 minute drive of Flathead Lake, Jewel Basin,
Glacier National Park, Whitefish Lake, the Flathead National Forest and the
Flathead River. Kalispell also hosts a 27 hole golf course and the historic
Conrad Mansion. All of these assets provide the basis for a year round tourist
industry.
Timber
In terms of local employment and earnings, the importance of the timber
industry has decreased in recent years due to the higher interest rates and
their effect on the building industry. As economic conditions improve, the
timber industry will bounce back.
Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant
Many residents of the Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction commute 20 miles to the
' Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant in Columbia Falls, the largest single employer
in the county.
The future of this industry will directly effect Kalispell's economy.
Unfortunately, the valley has no control over the two major criteria
influencing the plant's future: electrical rates and the price of aluminum.
Production at the plant dipped as low as 40% of capacity in early 1983, when
only two of the five potlines were operating. Since that low point, conditions
have improved. Atlantic Richfield sold the plant in 1986 and after a major re-
organization, restructuring of electrical rates, county property tax relief
and an aggressive marketing campaign the future of the new corporation appears
promising.
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Agriculture
,
Agriculture has been described as the only essential industry. It is basic to
Montana's economy. Besides agriculture's direct employment base, many non-farm
'
jobs and businesses are immediately linked to the agriculture industry.
Consequently, a healthy agricultural base is essential for the well being of
the State of Montana.
'
Many questions have been raised, though, concerning the relative importance of
agriculture to Flathead County or more specifically to the Kalispell Planning
Jurisdiction. The 1930 census shows that 3% or 133 people living in the city
'
of Kalispell are directly employed in agriculture or forestry. This figure is
somewhat misleading in that it does not address the farm laborers and
owner/operators living in the rural portion of the Planning Jurisdiction.
'
The precise value of agricultural products is also difficult to pinpoint. The
Flathead County Rural Resource Development Commission undertook a study in
1983 which determined that, countywide, the values of agricultural products
'
sold in 1983 exceeded 825 million. This figure is generally low as accurate
figures for cattle, horses, and ;pigs were not available. There are no
available corresponding figures for the Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction.
'
These figures above alone do not adequately represent the importance of the
agricultural industry in the Planning Jurisdiction. The agricultural impact
goes well beyond immediate farm employment and sale of agricultural products.
'
There are a host of non -basic agri-businesses in the county including grain
elevators, hardware dealers, farm implement dealers, transportation firms,
feed suppliers, etc. which are directly dependent on agriculture. The Rural
'
Resource Development Commission, in light of this, undertook an agri-business
survey in Flathead County to determine what percentage of Flathead County's
economy is directly dependent on the farming industry. Approximately, 57 agri-
businesses in the county were identified. Two-thirds of those responding (20)
were located within three miles of Kalispell. These businesses reported gross
receipts, total employment and salaries for their overall businesses and then
for that portion of their business directly related to agriculture as shown on
'
Table 6.
Based on this survey and census data already discussed, agriculture in the '
Planning Jurisdiction is directly responsible for in excess of 306 jobs. This
figure is considerably low as not all agri-businesses responded plus it does
not address farm laborers and owner -operators living in the rural portion of ,
the Planning Jurisdiction. The survey also shows that agriculture related
sales from agri-businesses exceeds 832 million in the Planning Jurisdiction.
To put this in perspective, the Flathead County Overall Economic Development '
Plan (OEDP) estimated that retail sales in Kalispell during 1982 stood at 8189
million and retail sales for the County totaled 8307 million. Based on this
information, ag-related, agri-business sales in the Kalispell Planning
Jurisdiction accounts for almost 17'% of the Kalispell retail activity and over '
10% of the entire county.
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TABLE 6
AGRI-BUSINESS SUMMARY ESTIMATES'
Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction
1934
Gross Receipts $ 70,354,000
Agriculture Adjusted Gross Receipts 31,354,000
Employees 324
Agriculture Adjusted Employees 133
Employee's Salaries $ 5,769,000
Agriculture Adjusted Employee Salaries 2,343,000
Results of survey of 30 of the largest agri-business in Flathead Count)
from an identical field of 57. All 30 firms were in the Kalispell
Planning Jurisdiction.
Source: Rural Resource Oeve
1934
ssion,
y, August
'
The above figures bear
out the real economic
impact of
agriculture and yet it
'
is still difficult to
measure this industry
strictly
in terms of dollars and
cents. In recent years
agriculture has helped
to provide
a degree of stability
in the local economy
in the face of major
lumber
industry fluctuations.
'
Agriculture also indirectly
helps to provide
open space,
wildlife habitat and
visual attractiveness
thus enhancing the quality of
life throughout the
Planning Jurisdiction.
SUMMARY
'
In summary,
the unique climate and physiography found in
the Upper
Flathead
Valley have
contributed to the popularity and growth of
Kalispell
and the
county. The
future economic and population outlook for the
Kalispell
Planning
Jurisdiction
is for continued growth. The pace of economic
growth will depend
upon the health of the present industries such as retail services, lumber,
tourism, the aluminum plant, and agriculture; and, also, upon the ability of
' the community and county to diversify its economy by attracting new basic
industries.
' POPULATION PROJECTIONS
Population projections serve as a basis for determining the future physical
needs of a community. Projections are dependent on many variables: past
population trends, economic conditions, and fertility, mortality and migration
rates. Because population projections are based on many variables, projections
JJ
3C
become more of an art than a science. Consequently, projected numbers should
serve as indications of trends rather than as actual head counts.
In preparing population projections for Kalispell, the average of three
separate techniques was used: the arithmetic method, which is based on an
average growth rate of past decades; linear regression, which establishes a
mathematical relationship between past population figures and projects this
relationship forward; and the economic base method, which addresses the
current local economy, past and present economic trends and employment. See
Table 7.
TABLE 7
POPULATION PROJECTIONS
Kalispell, Planning Jurisdiction, County
1980-2010
I
Source: F.R.0.0. Staff 4-84 ,
Montana Census and Economic Information Center - 208 Water Quality
Study - Revised 9/81
In developing projections for the entire Planning Jurisdiction, the Montana
Census and Economic Information Center and State 208 Water Quality Population
Projections as revised in 1981 were used. It was assumed that the entire
Planning Jurisdiction would experience growth similar to the county average.
The city of Kalispell is projected to continue growing at a slightly faster
rate than in past decades but substantial growth will continue to occur
outside of the city which is projected to grow at a rate double that of the
city. It should be remembered that the actual city population projection is
highly dependent upon the annexation and development policies of the city and
the regulating policies of the county.
36
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1980
1990
2000
2010
# CHANGE
# CHANGE
# CHANGE
#
CHANGE
70-80
80-90
90-00
00-10
Kalispell
10,648
1%
11,300
6.0'%
12,000
6'%
12,600
5.0%
Planning Juris.
21,147
37%
23,800
12.5%
26,600
12%
29,700
11.5Y.
Flathead County
51,966
32%
58,600
12.5%
65,500
12%
73,000
11.5%
I
Source: F.R.0.0. Staff 4-84 ,
Montana Census and Economic Information Center - 208 Water Quality
Study - Revised 9/81
In developing projections for the entire Planning Jurisdiction, the Montana
Census and Economic Information Center and State 208 Water Quality Population
Projections as revised in 1981 were used. It was assumed that the entire
Planning Jurisdiction would experience growth similar to the county average.
The city of Kalispell is projected to continue growing at a slightly faster
rate than in past decades but substantial growth will continue to occur
outside of the city which is projected to grow at a rate double that of the
city. It should be remembered that the actual city population projection is
highly dependent upon the annexation and development policies of the city and
the regulating policies of the county.
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5. LAMB U3Z
' This chapter addresses one of our most basic resources, land. It specifically
discusses how the land in the Planning Jurisdiction has been used and
developed. In discussing these trends and patterns, the major components are
' typically described as residential, commercial, industrial, public and semi-
public, streets, parks, agricultural, timber areas, and open areas. Taken
together they form the living and working area of the community and
' surrounding rural area. By analyzing today's land use patterns, it is possible
to create a "snapshot" of existing conditions. By looking at the past, then
comparing existing conditions to accepted planning standards to determine any
current deficiencies or inadequacies, and finally by using population and
' economic growth projections, it is possible to develop a picture of future
land use needs and patterns. This "picture of the future" is the Land Use
Plan.
EXISTING LAND USE
' A land use survey was conducted in May 1983 of the Kalispell Planning
Jurisdiction. The purpose of the survey was to determine the type, location,
and acreage of the existing uses. Table 8 presents the results of this survey
' for both the city and the entire Planning Jurisdiction. The proportionate
amounts of each land use category within the Planning Jurisdiction are then
compared to national averages developed from communities of similar size in
' other parts of the west and northwest as found in Table 9. Using this
information and based on accepted planning standards, it is possible to
analyze present land use, determine needs and deficiencies and then make
projections for future development.
' The Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction encompasses approximately 40,700 acres.
Twenty percent (8,130 acres) of this area has been built up or developed to
date. Based on the 1980 population, this represented an average of 2.6 people
per developed acre.
' The city' of Kalispell, located in the center of the Planning Jurisdiction, is
much more compactly settled with an average density of four people per
developed acre. In light of this compact development pattern, the city
contains very little additional land to accommodate future growth. Of the
' 2,652 acres of land in Kalispell, less than 150 acres are vacant. This
indicates a definite shortage of readily developable land for any type of
activity and has a negative impact on the city's ability to grow. Annexation
' becomes the principal too. One result of urbanized land in the city versus the
rural Planning Jurisdiction is over twice as much developed land exists
outside of the city limits. Other factors for this suburban sprawl lie in the
ready availability of several basic services i.e, police, fire, water and
' garbage collection; the substantial difference in property taxes; and the
relatively lax land use regulations and development policies in the rural
areas.
' 7
J^
TABLE 8
EXISTING LAND USE
Kalispell and Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction
1983
Source: FRDO Field Survey 1983
Existing Lard Use Definitions
Residential: All single family and multi -family residential uses and manufactured homes.
Commercial: General, highway and neighborhood commercial including wholesale and retail trade services,
professional and non-professional offices, financial institutions, medical facilities, etc.
Industrial: Light and heavy manufacturing, processing and storage, gravel pits, power stations, railroad
rights of way, utilities, etc.
Streets: Public streets and alleys.
Public/Semi-Public: Non-profit uses including government buildings, schools, hospitals, churches, cemeteries.
Parks/Greenbelts: Public and private parks, fishing access, golf course.
Agriculture: Farming, dairying, pasturage, grazing land, animal and poultry husbandry.
Surface Water: All permanent surface bodies of water.
Timberlands: Lands used for growing of timber for commercial harvest or as a natural resource preserve.
Vacant: Undeveloped, unused land.
I
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1
KALISPELL
KALISPELL PLAN
JURISDICTION
% of
y, of
Y. of
LAND USE
Devel.
Devel.
Total
Acres
Area
Acres
Area
Area
Residential
918
36.7
3,464
42.6
8.5
Commercial
288
11.5
591
7.3
1.5
Industrial
52
2.1
503
6.2
1.2
Streets
557
22.3
1,808
22.2
4.4
Public/Semi—Public
279
11.1
437
5.4
1.1
Parks/Greenbelts
409
16.3
11327
16.3
3.3
Total Developed
2,503 100.0
8,130 100.0
20.0
Surface Water
11984
4.9
Agriculture
Timber
130,5861
Vacant
149
75.1
Total
2,652
40,700
100.0
Source: FRDO Field Survey 1983
Existing Lard Use Definitions
Residential: All single family and multi -family residential uses and manufactured homes.
Commercial: General, highway and neighborhood commercial including wholesale and retail trade services,
professional and non-professional offices, financial institutions, medical facilities, etc.
Industrial: Light and heavy manufacturing, processing and storage, gravel pits, power stations, railroad
rights of way, utilities, etc.
Streets: Public streets and alleys.
Public/Semi-Public: Non-profit uses including government buildings, schools, hospitals, churches, cemeteries.
Parks/Greenbelts: Public and private parks, fishing access, golf course.
Agriculture: Farming, dairying, pasturage, grazing land, animal and poultry husbandry.
Surface Water: All permanent surface bodies of water.
Timberlands: Lands used for growing of timber for commercial harvest or as a natural resource preserve.
Vacant: Undeveloped, unused land.
I
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H
TABLE 9
EXISTING LAND USE, AVERAGE COMMUNITY COMPARISON
NATIONAL AVERAGES AND PROPOSED STANDARDS
Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction
1983
Residential
K.P.J.'
DEVELOPED
LAND
TYPICAL$
COMMUNITY
PLANNING9
STANDARD
42.6
37.0
40
Commercial
7.3
4.5
S
Industrial
6.2
12.0
8
Public/Semi-Public
21.7
14.5
17
Streets
22.2
32.0
27
100.0
100.0
100.0
F.R.D.O. Field Survey 1983.
e Principles & Practices of Urban Planning/Urban Geography, Roy Northam,
Oregon State University, 1975
9 F.R.D.O. Staff
1
Summary and Analysis
Residential
1
1
1
11
Residential land uses are the single greatest land use in the Planning
Jurisdiction encompassing over 42% (3,464 acres) of the developable area. In
this respect, it is slightly above the typical community. The most glaring
fact revealed by the land use survey is not the amount of residential
development, but where it is occurring. The population is almost evenly split
between city and rural area. Yet, three-fourths (3/4) of the residentially
developed land is in the rural area. This issue becomes readily apparent when
average densities (houses per acre) are compared. The average density of the
entire Planning Jurisdiction including Kalispell and the adjacent rural areas
is 2.2 units per residential acre. Within the city of Kalispell, though, the
density is five units per residential acre while the rural area is only 1.3
units per residential acre. Some factors that have contributed to this
expansive rural development are: 1) the lack of community sewer systems
necessitating individual septic systems and large drainfields; 2) personal
preference of large lot development, secluded living and/or raising of
animals; 3) the availability of a large supply of relatively inexpensive land;
and, 4) inadequate zoning in the area outside the city limits.
New residential development is occurring throughout the Planning Jurisdiction.
Within Kalispell, development is occurring almost exclusively in the north and
northwest portions of the city with minor activity in the southeast corner. In
39
the rural areas, haphazard development is occurring randomly, but there are '
several areas of concentration, most notably along Whitefish Stage Road and in
Evergreen.
Commercial
communities in the county. The major industrial activity has been in the
The Planning Jurisdiction contains 40% more commercial land (591 acres - 7.3%)
'
and the city of Kalispell has over twice as much commercially developed land
(288 acres - 11.5%) as one would expect to find in areas of similar
population. The principal reason lies in the fact that Kalispell functions as
'
the retail and service center for all of Flathead County and land beyond
including a sizable area of Canada. This is an extremely positive trend as
commercial activity provides needed jobs and commercial property is a major
'
contributor of the local tax base. Commercial development is evenly split with
approximately 300 acres in the city and 300 acres in the rural areas. Highway
limits land is plentiful, taxes are less, there are few, if any, land use
oriented linear strip development is occurring along the major arterials -
south of 13th Street south on Highway 93, east and north the entire length of
,
Highway 2 and LaSalle Road, and east on Highway 35. General commercial
'
activity within Kalispell is concentrated in the Central Business District
along Main between Fifth Street South and Washington and in the Gateway West
,
Shopping Center area between Meridian Road and Ashley Square Mall.
Neighborhood and office commercial development is occurring in the courthouse
area along Main Street, south and east of Woodland Park and north on Meridian
'
Road to name a few. An office/medical complex is quickly developing around the
hospital north of Buffalo Hills Golf Course.
1
Industrial
Industrial development is sorely deficient. The entire Planning Jurisdiction
contains only one-half (1/2) and Kalispell contains only one-fifth (1/5) of
the industrially developed land normally found in a community of similar size.
This is extremely unfortunate as industrial land and development provides a
two -fold benefit to an area. First, industrial land is a major component of
the local tax base. Typically, industrial lands pay a far greater proportion
in taxes than are received back in services. Second, industrial developments
are a major source of employment and usually create additional local
'
employment via the multiplier effect. Industrial development on the average is
responsible for creating 1.5 to 2 additional local support, service or retail
jobs (non -basic) for each industrial (basic) job in a given area.
'
The overall deficiency in the amount of industrial land within the Planning
Jurisdiction is again the reflection of the separate roles played by the three
communities in the county. The major industrial activity has been in the
'
Columbia Falls area. Within the Planning Jurisdiction, the pattern of
industrial development has been most unfavorable for the city of Kalispell.
Only 10% of the entire jurisdiction's 503 industrial acres are in the city.
This phenomenon has occurred for almost the same reasons residential
development has moved outside the city. There is a shortage of properly zoned,
readily developable industrial land in the city; meanwhile, outside the city
'
limits land is plentiful, taxes are less, there are few, if any, land use
controls (or protections) and highway, air and rail access are all good. In
Kalispell industrial development is located almost entirely along the BN
'
40
' Railroad tracks and consists primarily of warehousing. in the rural areas,
gravel extraction and wood processing in three widely scattered sites
' constitute the major uses.
1
1J
I
1
1
1
I
Streets
Street development is the second largest consumer of land in the Planning
Jurisdiction. Yet, in comparison, the Kalispell Jurisdiction with 22% of its
developed land in streets has only two-thirds (2/3) of the street development
found in other areas of similar size. This is extremely beneficial. Not only
are streets tax exempt, they require considerable money to build and maintain.
There are two factors for the proportionately small amount of land in streets.
First, several major public land uses such as the Fairgrounds; Golf Course;
Municipal Airport and the City, County and State Parks require very little
street development. Secondly, in the rural areas a considerable amount of
development has sprung up along the existing county road system necessitating
fewer extra service roads. Consequently, future developments will probably
increase the overall percentage figure although proper site design and
realistic right-of-way requirements can continue to keep this figure low.
Public, Semi -Public, Parks and Open Space
These uses are a major component of the development pattern of the Kalispell
Planning Jurisdiction and account for almost 22% of the developed area. This
is 50% greater than average figures for other areas. There are trade-offs for
having a large number of public and semi-public uses and parklands in an area.
The considerable number of amenities and services they provide improves the
quality of life. On the other hand, these lands are tax exempt and typically
government financed. Consequently, instead of contributing to the local tax
base, they make financial demands on the local government's resources.
' Just under 5% of the Planning Jurisdiction consists of year-round water
bodies, the most prominent being the Flathead, Whitefish, and Stillwater
Rivers and the Foy's Lake Chain. The major benefit of this much water is that
' it provides aesthetic and scenic variety for recreational use, wildlife
habitat, and limited residential development. The major drawback is the
tendency for these bodies of water to flood and damage or destroy croplands
and property and endanger human and animal life. The water bodies also tend to
' create transportation barriers which are costly to bridge or bypass.
'
Several factors are responsible for the large
amount of
public
lands.
'
Kalispell is the county seat, the largest city
within 110
miles and
in a
resort area. Within the city, there exists the
courthouse
complex,
county
fairgrounds, a 27 hole golf course, a municipal
airport,
Flathead
Valley
'
Community College, regular public school system
and a host
of city
parks.
Likewise, in the rural area there are several large
county and
state parks.
tSurface
Water
' Just under 5% of the Planning Jurisdiction consists of year-round water
bodies, the most prominent being the Flathead, Whitefish, and Stillwater
Rivers and the Foy's Lake Chain. The major benefit of this much water is that
' it provides aesthetic and scenic variety for recreational use, wildlife
habitat, and limited residential development. The major drawback is the
tendency for these bodies of water to flood and damage or destroy croplands
and property and endanger human and animal life. The water bodies also tend to
' create transportation barriers which are costly to bridge or bypass.
'
41
Agricultural and Timber Lands '
The remaining 75% of the Planning Jurisdiction, roughly 30,500 acres, is
classified either as agricultural lands or timber areas. '
LAND USE STANDARDS
Land use standards are used to make rational projections for various types of
land uses that will accommodate the community's projected growth. The
standards used in the planning process vary only slightly from the community
'
averages used above in analyzing the existing land use for the Kalispell
Planning Jurisdiction. These averages were compiled for communities averaging
10,000 in population and reflect current conditions. In establishing future
land use standards, adjustments were made so that these figures would reflect
the conditions, trends and future land use goals specifically of the Kalispell
area. The standards are portrayed in Table 9 (page 39). The Kalispell area
standards anticipate a slightly higher proportion of streets and commercial
and industrial uses and a reduction in the percentage of residential and
public/semi-public land consumption over present usage.
LAND USE PROJECTIONS METHODOLOGY
Land use projections of an area are intended to show the anticipated land use
'
requirements for development occurring through the year 2010. Projections are
made by taking the projected population, establishing a proposed land use
density in terms of people per developed acre and applying this information to
'
the land use standards above. An additional 25% is added to each category to
allow somewhat for consumer choice, vacancies, and partially completed
developments. Population projections found in Table 7 (page 36) show an
increase of approximately 5,500 people in the Planning Jurisdiction during the
planning period. Family sizes are anticipated to continue to decline from an
average family size of 2.5 persons in 1980 to 2.35 persons by the end of year
2010. Current residential development densities of five (5) units/acre in the
'
city and 1.3 units/acre in the rural areas providing an average density of 2.2
units/acre, in the overall Planning Jurisdiction will increase to 2.6
units/acre overall. This is based on the increasing cost of land, national
'
trends and land use goals proposed by this Plan calling for more compact
development. While the residential unit per acre density will increase the net
effect of the shrinking average family size coupled with an increase in
commercial and industrial uses and streets is anticipated to cause a decline
'
in the overall developed density from 2.6 (in 1920) to 2.4 people/acre when
comparing all proposed developed land in the year 2010 to the projected
population then.
'
LAND USE PLAN
'
Many factors influenced the early settlement patterns in the Kalispell area
including the rivers, the railroad, physical attractiveness and the fertile
valley floor. Some of the factors were positive, some competing, same
,
conflicting. The resulting growth has, at times, been haphazard. Historically,
it has been assumed that many natural resources were limitless, that there
'
42
1
I
' would always be enough open land to develop, that farm and timber lands were
unending and that our rivers and air would be forever pure. People are
becoming aware that limits exist. The community leaders of today and tomorrow
are not to blame for existing problems but it falls upon their shoulders to
face the demands of the future. The purpose of the Land Use Plan is to meet
' the land needs of the future generations, to establish compatible development
patterns and to outline guidelines and policies that will give direct,
positive guidance to future land development.
' The Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction population is anticipated to grow by 40%
between now and the year 2010. Land use needs, however, are projected to
increase by over 50% based on present and future trends already discussed.
Approximately 4,200 acres of land will be needed to meet the growing demands
of the next 25 years. To meet these needs an urban centered growth concept is
proposed for the Planning Jurisdiction with greatest densities occurring
toward the center and decreasing away from the center. A primary consideration
of this concept is in -filling in those gaps that now exist within the
urbanized area.
' Major Components
' Table 10 .presents the Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction planning standards and
land use projections for each major category. Figure 2, page 85, provides an
illustrated presentation of the Land Use Plan. Following is a discussion of
future land use needs and considerations in each category.
TABLE 10
PROJECTED LAND USE NEEDS
Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction
2010
1
1
I
LAND USE
PLANNING
STANDARD
TOTAL ANTICIPATED
ACRES IN DEVELOPMENT
BY 2010
ADDITIONAL ACRES
NEEDED FOR GROWTH
1983 - 2010
Residential
40%
4,400
1,500
Commercial
8%
1,000
400
Industrial
8%
1,000
500
Public, Semi -Public
17%
2,100
300
Streets
27'%
3,300
1,500
100%
12,300
4,200
TOTAL
Source: F.R.D.O. Staff, 1984
' Residential
1
Residential uses will
continue to
be the major consumer of land within the
'
Planning Jurisdiction.
To keep pace
with the projected population increase for
43
1
the year 2010, an additional 1,500 acres of land will be needed. Not all of '
this proposed development will occur in the form of new subdivisions on virgin
land. A considerable amount will occur as infill with existing platted and
unplatted developments. ,
Suburban Residential: A residential district which provides for two or
,
less units per acre. Such areas typically do not have access to a
,
community sewer or water system, have only limited police and fire
1
protection, and may have a limited carrying capacity due to site or sail
limitations, floodplain or other natural constraints which preclude
'
higher density. Suburban residential districts are typically located in
two areas: on the periphery of the urbanizing community where they
serve as a transitional development pattern between the urban area and
the timber and agricultural areas beyond, and in aesthetically
'
attractive areas such as foothills, Lakeshore, or river frontage not
suitable for agriculture or timber production. Suburban residential
districts provide large lot, estate, ranchette, or resort housing
opportunities where limited farming/gardening and raising of animals is
common and/or privacy, aesthetic consideration and preservation of
natural surroundings are paramount. Detached single family houses and
'
manufactured homes on individual lots would constitute the major land
use pattern.
Suburban residential areas are found primarily east of Willow Glen
'
Drive, east of the Whitefish River encompassing a majority of Evergreen,
along Reserve Drive, west along Two Mile Drive and in the Foy's Lake
area. As community sewer and water systems are extended into suburban
,
residential areas and as other community services become available,
i.e., access to improved police and fire protection, schools, garbage
collection, etc., these areas should be routinely reviewed and, where
appropriate, redesignated to a higher, more appropriate residential
,
district. A prime example is the Evergreen area which already has a
water system and potentially could have an operating sewer system within
the next five to ten years.
'
Urban Residential: A residential district which provides a gross '
density of two -eight units per acre. Such areas should be served by a
community water and sewer system and have all other customary urban
services including fire and police protection, garbage disposal and '
access to schools, parks and open spaces and the major street system.
Developments would include single family and duplex housing,
manufactured housing on individual lots and attached housing under a '
planned unit development concept where adequate open space is provided
to compensate for the increased density.
This district encompasses the heart of the residential community and is '
located throughout the urbanized area. Major growth areas are seen along
West Evergreen Drive west of the Whitefish River, north of Kalispell
along the west side of the Stillwater River and generally northwest and '
west of Kalispell.
,
44
1
'High Density Urban Residential: A residential district which
provides for a density of 3-40 units per gross acre. Areas must be
' served by community sewer and water and have immediate access to police
and fire protection as well as access to other community services
including garbage disposal, schools, park and open areas, and be located
adjacent to or near a collector or arterial street. Proximity to
' commercial shopping is important. These areas are intended to provide
for a variety of low, medium and high density multi -family apartment,
townhouse, cluster and patio housing. This district is often used as a
buffer between commercial areas and less dense residential housing
serving as a transitional area while having immediate access to
commercial services. Whenever high density residential is used as a
' buffer between higher and lower intensity uses, additional setbacks and
suitable landscaping and screening should be incorporated into the
project.
' High density urban residential growth is projected to occur adjacent to
the Central Business District/Highway 2 commercial development, west of
the municipal airport, east of the commercial development on south
' Highway 93 in the city, west and north of the Gateway Shopping Mall
commercial development, around the office -hospital complex an Buffalo
Hill, north and west of the Whitefish Stage Road adjacent to the golf
course, and in the Woodland Park vicinity.
Commercial
' Kalispell should continue to maintain its role as the commercial/service
center for Flathead County and areas beyond. The percentage of commercially
developed land is projected to increase slightly to 9%. Therefore, to keep
pace with anticipated growth approximately 400 additional acres of commercial
land will be needed in the next 25 years. Excluding several planned or new
neighborhood commercial sites, all commercial activity should be directed
toward existing commercial areas either as expansion or as infill.
' Neighborhood Commercial: A retail -service, office district which
would be located within or adjacent to residential areas intended to
address the demands for certain types of convenience services which
' cater to the daily needs of the surrounding neighborhood populations. A
neighborhood would typically be defined as an area encompassing one-half
to three-fourths (1/2 - 3/4) mile radius. Such districts would not draw
customers routinely from outside this area. Districts should be
' strategically located along a collector or arterial street. It should
not exceed five (5) acres in size and should be compactly developed as
opposed to lineally sprawled along a street. Uses, site layout, and
' architectural design should encourage a blending of the commercial uses
into the surrounding neighborhood fabric. Outside storage and display
should be discouraged and neighborhood compatibility landscaping and
screening should be required.
' Neighborhood commercial areas are strategically located throughout the
residential areas within the Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction including
' the intersection of West Reserve Drive and Highway 93, West Reserve
45
1
Drive and Whitefish stage Road, Whitefish Stage Road and West Evergreen ,
Drive, North Meridian Road and Three Mile Drive, North Meridian Road and
Highway 93, Sunset Boulevard south of the golf course, south and east of
Woodland Park and on Highway 2 east of the Flathead River. ,
Highway Commercial: A district which provides for compact grouping
of commercial uses which require and cater to the automobile for
'
customer contact. Uses are typically located along arterial and
collector streets and include motels, auto sales and service, truck and
heavy equipment sales, restaurants, building supply centers, etc. Uses
'
are typically characterized by a need for considerable parking, outside
displays, storage and sales areas. Districts may require extra front
yard setbacks and/or frontage roads to allow for free traffic movement.
,
Appropriate buffering, landscaping, or extra setbacks should be
incorporated whenever said district is adjacent to a residential
district.
'
Highway commercial districts within the Planning Jurisdiction are
perceived to occur as compact expansion and infill of existing strip
commercial developments occurring on Highway 93 south of 13th Street, on
'
Highway 2 between Meridian Road and Evergreen and on Highway 2 between
Reserve Drive and the BN crossing to the north.
General Commercial: A district which provides for compact retail
sales, services and office uses normally associated with a central
business district. Off-street localized parking and pedestrian access
'
are major components.
There are two general commercial districts within the Planning
'
Jurisdiction and both of these areas are perceived to expand. The
largest is the Kalispell Central Business District between Fifth Street
and Washington with considerable growth projected to occur between Main
and Fifth Avenue West along West Center and the BN right-of-way and
'
between Main Street and Third Avenue East along the BN right-of-way. The
second general business district includes the continued commercial
growth in Gateway West, Ashley Square, and North Meridian areas.
'
Medical/Professional: A service oriented district intended to provide ,
for a wide variety of medical needs, professional offices and services
and ancillary, higher density residential uses. This area is intended to
function as a community -wide or regional medical complex. As such, '
medical uses such as hospitals, clinics, extended care facilities,
dentist offices, physical therapy centers, etc., would be primary uses.
Supporting and/or compatible uses would include professional offices and
professional services. Also, public and semi-public uses such as '
churches, chapels, day care centers, etc., which would support this area
or serve the needs of the people of this area would be found here.
Finally, higher density residential uses such as nursing homes, '
apartment development, etc., which would provide adjacent housing or
serve as a buffer to adjoining residential or commercial areas are
encouraged. General and retail commercial uses are not intended to t
46
P
11
1
1
1
intrude into this area. Major street access and emergency vehicle access
are extremely important. Unnecessary traffic should not be funneled
through these areas.
Industrial
The Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction lacks an adequate industrial base. Based
on the areas labor force, proximity of Flathead Valley Community College as an
employee training center and access to highway, rail and air service, it is
perceived that industrial development will gradually increase. By the year
2010, approximately 500 additional acres are projected to be needed to address
anticipated growth. A major emphasis is to be placed on light industrial
development which will not compromise the outstanding air and water quality
for which the Flathead Valley is known.
Lioht Industrial: A district which includes manufacturing, fabricating,
processing, storage, and transportation uses that do not create
nuisances such as noise, dust, heat, odor, smoke, vibrations, etc.
Districts should have immediate access to air, rail and arterial or
collector streets. Community water and sewer accessibility is important.
Districts should not be located adjacent to residential or light
intensity commercial districts. If so located, adequate buffering and
setbacks must be incorporated. Direct ingress -egress into residential
neighborhoods must be avoided.
Light industrial districts are planned for adjacent to the municipal
airport, adjacent to the Burlington Northern tracks in uptown Kalispell
and on the northern fringes of the Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction at
the Highway 93 - West Reserve Drive intersection and the Highway 2 -
Reserve Drive intersection.
Heavy Industrial: A district which provides for manufacturing,
processing, fabricating, warehousing, storage and distribution. The
district should be of sufficient size to allow for future growth and
expansion without unduly encroaching on adjacent uses. Community sewer
and water services and immediate access to the collector - arterial
system are required. Railroad access is beneficial. The encroachment of
non -industrial uses within the district should be prevented. Where
possible there should be a transition from heavy industrial to other
less intense land use. Additional setbacks, natural or man-made
barriers, landscaping, screening, etc. should be incorporated whenever
heavy industrial districts border residential or commercial areas.
' Future heavy industrial districts are perceived as expansions of
existing industrial sites. Industrial development should occur south on
Highway 93 between Ashley Creek and Rocky Cliff Drive, between Highway 2
and Fay's Lake Road west of the BN tracks, between Whitefish Stage Road,
' Highway 2, and the Stillwater River and west of the BN tracks between
Evergreen and Reserve Drive adjacent to the Plum Creek operation.
47
Public/Semi-Public/Parks/Open Space '
Public/Semi-Public:
A district intended
to be used
principally for a
,
public purpose by a
city, the county, the
state, a
school district or
other public agency or by a semi-public or
non-profit
agency. Such uses
will be strategically
located throughout the
community
as specific user-
needs dictate.
'
Parks and Open Space: Areas devoted principally to public recreation '
and leisure activities. This district may also include environmentally
sensitive or critical areas such as floodways, floodplains or steep,
erosion -prone hillsides otherwise unsuitable for development which are '
better left undisturbed in their natural state. Such districts and uses
may be publicly or privately owned.
The Planning Jurisdiction has a sizeable amount of land devoted to '
public, semi-public, park and open space uses. Consequently, it i5
perceived that future demand will be somewhat less and the overall '
percentage of developed land should drop from 21% to 17'/.. Still, to
accommodate anticipated growth, 800 acres of land will be required.
Future needs will be discussed more fully in Chapter 8 - Public
Facilities and Utilities. '
Streets: All publicly dedicated rights-of-way including developed and '
undeveloped streets, alleys, and highways.
The proportionate amount of street right-of-way within the Kalispell
Planning Jurisdiction relative to the amount of development is extremely '
low. While this is favorable, it is perceived that, as the area
continues to urbanize, the proportionate amount of streets will
gradually increase from 22'/. to 27% of all development. By the year 2010, '
an additional 1,500 acres will be needed to serve future growth. This
should be viewed as a maximum figure as some of the anticipated growth
will occur as infill within existing developments. Also, this figure is '
flexible in that it is subject to the development standards and policies
imposed by the city and county.
Agriculture/Silviculture 1
Agriculture/Silviculture: Areas devoted to the raising and '
harvesting of crops; feeding, breeding and management of livestock;
dairying; horticulture and growing and harvesting of timber.
The conservation of agriculture and silviculture areas is proposed
through the managed development of the above land uses as shown in the
Master Plan. Timber lands lie predominately in the southwest corner of
the Planning Jurisdiction. Agricultural lands predominately encircle the ,
remainder of Kalispell.
48
11
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
6. HOUSING
Shelter is one of man's basic needs. Providing shelter to adequately house the
present and future population of an area is one of a community's greatest
concerns. Everyone, no matter what social, political, or racial background, is
entitled to some form of housing. It is obvious, therefore, that the quality
and quantity of housing is a major yardstick in judging the livability of a
community. There must be a range of housing to meet the individual tastes and
desires of people in different social and economic groups.
CURRENT HOUSING SUPPLY
To form a clear picture of the local housing supply one must look at both past
and current trends. In 1970, the city of Kalispell contained 3,953 housing
units. By 1980, the housing supply grew 20% adding over 800 new units. (See
Table 11). This substantial growth in units is remarkable when considering the
city only grew 1% in population adding 122 people during the same decade.
There are two primary factors which can explain this housing surge. Between
1970-1980, the vacancy rate increased from a healthy rate of 5.2% to an
increasingly unhealthy rate of 7.6%. This indicates some of the housing growth
resulted in additional vacant housing on the market. Second and most
importantly, the average family size in Kalispell declined 14% in size from
2.8 to 2.4 during this period. Consequently, just to maintain housing for the
1970 population and to adjust for the larger number of smaller families, the
housing stock would have to have grown 14'% by 1980.
TABLE 11
OCCUPIED HOUSING
Kalispell
1970, 1980
Source: U.S. Census
Vacancy
Vacancy rate is the most commonly used indicator of the balance between supply
and demand. A 5% vacancy rate is considered an optimum level as it should
49
1970
1980%
CHANGE
1970-80
#
Y.
#
%
Occupied Units
Vacant Units
TOTAL UNITS
3,748
205
94.8
5.2
4,396
363
92.4
7.6
17
77
3,953
100.0
41759
100.0
20
Source: U.S. Census
Vacancy
Vacancy rate is the most commonly used indicator of the balance between supply
and demand. A 5% vacancy rate is considered an optimum level as it should
49
provide an adequate choice and range of housing. A lower vacancy rate may
start to limit choice, location or price range and cause prices to rise. A
higher vacancy rate will tend to flood the market with unsold units causing
delayed sales and a general lowering of housing prices. In 1970, as discussed
above, Kalispell had a healthy vacancy rate of 5.2%; but, by 1980, this figure
had risen to 7.6% indicating a soft housing market and an over supply of
units. This is viewed as a short-term problem created by the recession and
depressed economy of the late 1970's and early 19801s.
Housing Type
Elderly housing constitutes a significant portion of the Kalispell housing
market. Kalispell functions as a retirement community. Approximately 17'% of
the city's population is over 65 making this the largest concentration in the
county. More importantly, though, this group accounts for 35% of the total
housing market. By and large, housing needs of the elderly are different from
other sectors of the population. Their ability and desire to perform even
routine maintenance and upkeep declines. The need for a large housing unit is
no longer valid and more typically a burden. The children usually have moved
away and the household consists of only one or two members. To meet these
needs several elderly housing projects have been undertaken in Kalispell
during the past 10 years providing efficient, low-cost living. This and
similar types of efficient, low-cost housing will continue to be important.
Single family housing is by far the major housing type in Kalispell. Almost
72% of all housing in 1980 was single family compared to 26'% in multi -family
and only 2% in manufactured homes (see Table ie). Interestingly, there has
been a decided shift away from single family housing in the past decade.
Between 1970 and 1980, single family housing increased by only 6% while multi-
family increased by 85'% and manufactured homes grew by almost 79%. This shift
is a reflection of a changing housing market. The single family detached house
is becoming less and less affordable to a growing percentage of the
population. Also, a considerable number of elderly people are moving into
rental and owner occupied housing complexes leaving their former single family
home because of cost, upkeep and desire for simplified living.
TABLE 12
HOUSING TYPE
Kalispell
1970, 1980
Single Family
Multi -Family
Manufactured Homes
TOTAL
1970
19
0
%
CHANGE
#
'ti
#
%
3,326
666
61
81.6
16.9
1.5
31418
1,232
109
71.8
25.9
2.3
6.0
65.0
78.7
3,953
100.0
41759
100.0
20.0
Source: U.S. Census
50
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When comparing Kalispell's housing types to both Flathead County and the State
of Montana for 1980 (see Table 13), there are both similarities and
differences. Single family housing is by far the predominant housing type in
all three jurisdictions. Multi -family housing is the second most popular
housing choice; but, proportionately, Kalispell has 25% more than the State
and almost twice as many units as the entire county. Conversely, the State of
Montana has over five times as many and the county has almost eight times as
many manufactured homes. These trends can be readily explained. First,
Kalispell is serving as a retirement community and in past years several large
elderly housing complexes have been constructed in the city substantially
increasing the number of rental units. Secondly, the city's manufactured home
policies have been somewhat restrictive limiting manufactured homes to parks
or specially designated subdivisions. Within the city, only minimal
manufactured home park development has occurred. One manufactured home
subdivision has been platted to date, a 211 unit project in south Kalispell,
but financial difficulty has kept it from becoming a reality. Conversely, the
substantial lack of any land use controls in parts of the rural Planning
Jurisdiction has given rise to countless manufactured home parks and lots.
TABLE 13
PROPORTIONATE HOUSING TYPE
Kalispell, Flathead County, Montana
1980
Source: U.S. Census
Tenure
Given the changing trends in housing types discussed above for Kalispell and
when considering the factors behind the changes, it is easy to understand the
current trends in housing tenure. In 1970, the ratio between owners and
renters in Kalispell was approximately 65-35. By 1980, this had shifted to 60-
40 owner -renter ratio. (See Table 14) In comparison to accepted planning
standards, this shows a high proportion of renters. Likewise, when comparing
to the county and state owner -renter ratio, which is in the range of 75-25,
there is a great disparity. (See Table 15.)
51
KALISPELL
FLATHEAD COUNTY
MONTANA
Single Family
71.8
67.6
66.3
Multi -Family
25.9
14.4
20.8
Manufactured Homes
2.3
18.0
12.9
100.0'%
100.0%
100.4'b
TOTAL
Source: U.S. Census
Tenure
Given the changing trends in housing types discussed above for Kalispell and
when considering the factors behind the changes, it is easy to understand the
current trends in housing tenure. In 1970, the ratio between owners and
renters in Kalispell was approximately 65-35. By 1980, this had shifted to 60-
40 owner -renter ratio. (See Table 14) In comparison to accepted planning
standards, this shows a high proportion of renters. Likewise, when comparing
to the county and state owner -renter ratio, which is in the range of 75-25,
there is a great disparity. (See Table 15.)
51
The Kalispell tenure ratios, again, are a reflection of three trends.
Kalispell is functioning as a retirement community. Within the past decade
several large elderly rental complexes have been constructed. Secondly, owner
occupied housing is becoming increasingly expensive and is crowding more and
more people out of the market. Finally, the Flathead Valley Community College
attracts students from outside the city who tend to rent housing in Kalispell.
TABLE 14
HOUSING TENURE
Kalispell
1970, 1980
Renter Occupied
Owner Occupied
TOTAL OCCUPIED
1970
FLATHEAD COUNTY
1980
Owner Occupied
Renter Occupied
TOTAL
'%
CHANGE
#
%
#
%
1,308
29440
34.9
65.1
1,752
21656
39.7
60.3
33.9
8.9
3,748
100.0
4,396
100.0
17.3
Source: U.S. Census
TABLE 15
HOUSING TENURE
Kalispell, Flathead County, Montana
1980
Source: U.S. Census
Age
Housing age provides one measure of insight into the viability of the housing
stock. In Kalispell, the housing stock is somewhat older with just under 40%
built before 1940 (a census indicator for aged housing). At the same time,
because of the housing boom in the 1970's, over one—fifth of all housing is
new construction during the past decade offering a substantial supply of new
housing choices (see Table 16).
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KALISPELL
FLATHEAD COUNTY
MONTANA
Owner Occupied
Renter Occupied
TOTAL
60.3%
39.7
74.0'%
26.0
77.4%
22.6
100.0%
100.0%.
100.0%
Source: U.S. Census
Age
Housing age provides one measure of insight into the viability of the housing
stock. In Kalispell, the housing stock is somewhat older with just under 40%
built before 1940 (a census indicator for aged housing). At the same time,
because of the housing boom in the 1970's, over one—fifth of all housing is
new construction during the past decade offering a substantial supply of new
housing choices (see Table 16).
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TABLE 16
HOUSING AGE
Kalispell
1980
YEAR BUILT
#
%
1970-1979
1,040
21.8
1960-1969
318
6.7
1950-1959
660
13.9
1940-1949
858
18.0
1939 or less
1,883
39.6
4,759
100.0
TOTAL
Source: U.S. Census
Conditions
In 1981, a housing conditions survey was conducted in Kalispell. Four
categories were established: Good - indicating no problems; Fair - indicating
a series of minor deficiencies, but the unit was well worth saving; Poor -
indicating one or more major deficiencies, but the. unit was still worth
saving; and, Dilapidated - indicating a seriously deficient house not worth
preserving. (See Table 17.) Just over 84% of all housing in Kalispell was in
good or fair condition with renter occupied units slightly below this at 77%
and owner occupied slightly higher at 91%. Dilapidated housing was highest
among vacant units followed by a fairly significant 5'% among occupied rentals.
From this survey, it is obvious that there is an ongoing need for housing
maintenance and rehabilitation programs within the city. The area of greatest
need lies within 3-5 blocks of either side of Main Street. This forms the
original townsite and contains the bulk of the pre -1940 housing stock.
TABLE 17
HOUSING CONDITIONS
Kalispell
1981
Owner Occupied
Renter Occupied
Vacant
TOTAL
GOOD
FAIR
POOR
DILAPIDATED
TOTAL
#
I Y.
#
y,
#
y.
#
%
#
4
1,294
779
81
48.7
44.5
35.5
1,154
570
65
42.3
32.5
28.5
226
319
58
8.5
18.2
25.5
14
84
24
.5
'4.8
10.5
2,656
1,752
228
100.0
100.0
100.0
2,154
46.5
1,759
37.9
603
13.0
122
2.6
49636
100.0
' Source: Kalispell Community Uevelopment Uttice 1U-Ul .
53
1
HOUSING PROJECTIONS
Housing standards are used as a basis to ascertain whether sufficient housing
choice and 'supply exists today. They are also used as a basis for projecting
future housing needs. Vacancy rate is the standard most used to measure the
degree of balance between supply and demand. An acceptable vacancy rate of 5%
is necessary to ensure both adequate supply and choice of location, price, and
type of housing. While there is no typical community and various communities
have their own specific needs, a housing supply ratio of 60% single family,
20% multi -family and 20% manufactured home housing is an accepted standard.
Larger communities have a higher percentage of multi -family units. Smaller
communities have a higher percentage of single family housing. Housing
dilapidation is also an important standard. Every year a community loses
housing due to age, dilapidation, abandonment, fire, conversions, etc. These
units must be replaced to ensure a stable housing supply. In the case of
Kalispell, .2'% of the housing stock is projected to be lost every year over
the next two decades. This equates to 2% per decade.
The methodology for projecting the future housing needs of Kalispell and the
Planning Jurisdiction is based on anticipated population growth, established
vacancy rates and the replacement of dilapidated housing. Housing supply is.
the total number of housing units available in an area and consists of the
total number of occupied units, plus vacant units. For 1980, the U.S. Census
was consulted. For the years 1990 - 2010, housing supply is defined as the
projected number of housing units needed to house the projected population
based an a family size of 2.15 for Kalispell and 2.5 for the entire Planning
Jurisdiction an additional 5% is added to these figures to adjust for an
acceptable vacancy rate. New housing is the total housing units that must be
added to the housing supply to accommodate the additional population influx as
well as replace dilapidated units.
Housing projections are based on current trends and reasonable and accepted
standards, but they are just projections. They should be used as a bench mark
and a guide, not as a rigid statistic. Unforeseen changes in the community may
radically affect their accuracy. Tables 18 and 19 portray housing projections
through the year 2010. They indicate a growing housing market for both the
city and the entire Planning Jurisdiction. The housing supply is projected to
increase by 47'% adding slightly over 4,000 units by 2010 for the Planning
Jurisdiction. When considering the additional units which must be built to
replace units lost, dilapidated etc., approximately 4,600 new housing units
will be necessary to house the anticipated population in the year 2010.
The city of Kalispell will experience an increase of approximately 1,400
housing units (30% increase) through the year 2010, but 1,700-19750 units will
be necessary to maintain the projected housing level and replace those housing
units lost to the housing supply.
54
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TABLE 18
HOUSING PROJECTIONS
Kalispell
1980-2010
HOUSING I y. I OCCUPIED
19804,759
8,466
4,36
363
7,746
720
1990 5,150
8.2
4,£990
260
95
486
2000 5,660
9.9
5,380
280
105
615
2010 6,170
9.0
5,860
310
115
625
-----------------
' Assume a 5%
vacanty rate
for 1990-2010.
11,860
620
e Assume 2'% of
preceding decade lost to demolition, removal or conversion.
a Housing units
needed to
address increase
in housing
supply
and lost
housing.
preceding
decade lost to
demolition,
removal or
conversion.
Source! FRDO. 4-84.
TABLE 19
HOUSING PROJECTIONS
Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction
1980-2010
HOUSING I %
VACANT' I LOST! I NEW
1980
8,466
7,746
720
1990
9,450
11.6
8,980
470
170
11154
2000
10,900
15.3
109350
450
190
19640
2010
12,480
14.5
11,860
620
220
11800
' Assume 5% vacancy
far
1990-2010.
e Assume 2% of
preceding
decade lost to
demolition,
removal or
conversion.
a Housing units
needed
to address increase in housing units
plus lost
housing.
I
_cznllrre! FRnn_ 4/34
HOUSING PLAN
The Housing Plan is that element of the Master Plan that addresses both
present and future housing needs of the community. It analyzes the current
housing stock and gives direction for the future growth of the housing supply.
Housing projections have already been made for both the city and the overall
Planning Jurisdiction depicting the amount and type of new housing anticipated
for the next two decades. The plan will build on these projections.
The current housing supply within the city of Kalispell, when compared to the
housing standards, shows an oversupply of single family units and a resulting
55
lack of manufactured home units. This trend is envisioned to change as the
'
conventional single family detached house becomes increasingly expensive and
economically out of reach of a greater percent of the population.
'
Unfortunately, conventional stick built housing will continue to economically
exceed the reach of many potential new homeowners. Manufactured homes on
individual lots meeting all the placement requirements of conventional housing
and bearing the HUD seal should be allowed to locate within the city of
,
Kalispell so as to provide homeowners with an economical housing alternative.
Manufactured home housing in the rural portion of the Planning Jurisdiction is
proportionately well represented. In the city, it is almost non-existent. In
'
addition to manufactured home housing on individual lots, manufactured home
park development is recommended for expansion within the city. The existing
parks are small, inadequate and reminiscent of early trailer courts. There is
'
a need for quality manufactured home park developments which incorporate good
site design, convenient and interesting lay out, paved roads, developed
recreation sites, laundry facilities and landscaping. Such housing would
fulfill a need and be an asset to both the tenants and the city. Approximately
'
800 new manufactured homes are projected by the year 2010 within the Planning
Jurisdiction representing 20% of all new housing. The great majority of these
units are recommended for location in the city of Kalispell via timely
'
annexation and expansion of city boundaries.
Multi -family housing must be planned and provided for addressing the needs of ,
both owner occupied and rental accommodations. The popularity of attached
housing will continue and increase because of economic necessity, personal
preference, and changing life styles. Multi -family housing will continue to be '
located almost exclusively within the city limits due to the availability of
public sewer and water facilities. However, if the Evergreen Sewer System is
constructed, additional areas in Evergreen will be suitable for multi -family '
housing. Ideally, rental multi -family housing should be located near the
central business district or have other commercial access. Proximity to public
open space and direct access to an improved local street offering adequate
access to collector or arterial streets are both desirable. For owner -occupied '
attached housing, proximity to a commercial area and open space is not nearly
as important as good site design, interesting and economical layouts, and
clustering of units to provide open space on-site. The number of multi -family '
units will continue to increase to where 20% of all new housing (800 units) in
the year 2010 is attached duplexes and larger.
Single family housing will continue to be the most popular housing choice for '
the next 20 years. Upwards of 2,400 single-family homes representing 60'!, of
the new housing stock is anticipated by the year 2010. Several trends must be
anticipated and planned for. The cost of single-family, detached housing will
be the greatest constraint to this housing type. Lot sizes both inside the
city where public sewer and water are available and outside the city where
they are not, will generally be smaller to compensate for rising land costs ,
and to reduce overall housing costs. Housing units themselves will be smaller
sacrificing space for increased efficiency and reduced cost. Finally, the city
and county should constantly review their public improvement standards to
insure adequate, but not excessive public improvements are being recommended '
for residential development.
56
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7m TRANSPORTATION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
(ADOPTED 1993)
Chapter 7 as presented herein provides an Executive Summary of the Kalispell
Area Transportation Plan and includes a brief discussion of existing
conditions, a proposed Major Street Network System, a recommended bypass route
and short and long ter■ recommendations for improving the transportation
system in and around Kalispell. The supporting documents underlying these
statements include "The Kalispell Area Transportation Plan" and "The Kalispell
Bypass Feasibility Study", both dated October, 1993 which have been adopted in
their entirety as elements of the Kalispell City—County Master Plan.
EXISTING CONDITIONS WITHIN THE PLANNING JURISDICTION
Residential development continues to grow in outlying areas with
an increasing distance between locations of residences and the
location of jobs and commerce, resulting in increasing travel time
and distance.
Overall traffic volumes in Kalispell have grown considerably over
the last 10 years and are forecast to continue to increase over
the next 20 years.
Idaho Street and Main Street traffic volumes exceed 21,000
vehicles per day, resulting in congested traffic conditions
throughout the day.
Main Street/Idaho Street intersection traffic exceeds its capacity
during summer tourist traffic flows and throughout the year.
However, total traffic at the intersection has increased little
over the last ten years. Traffic continues to increase on
adjacent parallel streets as traffic diverts to avoid the
Main/Idaho intersection.
Up to 12 percent of traffic on US 93 passes through Kalispell
without making a stop; the majority of traffic an the highway
makes at least one stop in Kalispell.
Truck traffic and large recreational vehicles account for as such
as 14 percent of total traffic on US 93 north of Reserve, while
accounting for only five percent of total traffic on US 2 west of
West Springcreek Road.
Traffic and pedestrian safety are issues especially in outlying
areas where narrow rural designed roadways exist with no provision
for pedestrians or bicyclists.
Existing traffic volumes are shown in Figures 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3.
57
d
1
vehicles per day (vpd)
Location of Count
Source: Montana Department of Transportation Traffic Count Data
3-
Kalispeil
AREITRAMPORTA MN
IN
Figure 7.1
57a 1991 Average Daily Traffic Volumes
Il_[el4illl
70= 1991 Average Daily
Traffic Volume in
vehicles per day (vpd)
0 Location of Count
Source: Montana Department of Tranportation Traffic Count Data
%MTRANSIA
spellIi'1A110N
Figure 7.2
57b 1991 Average Daily Traffic Volumes • CBO
I
Source: CRSS 0/D Study Data, August 1992
Kalispe
alzFallsANsPolrrnnloa al
Figure 7.3
57c Distribution of Total Through Traffic
Based on 1992 Summer Daily Traffic
I
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The Kalispell Area Transportation Plan is the first comprehensive
transportation plan for the Kalispell City -County Planning Jurisdiction. The
Plan addresses all aspects of the major street system. It begins by presenting
a preferred by-pass route. It then goes on to define the various components
of the major street system including major and minor arterials, collectors and
local streets. Once defined, the plan accordingly re-classifies the existing
and proposed street system in and around Kalispell. Finally, the plan
establishes recommended improvements and a priority list for accomplishing
these improvements in order to insure that the plan is implemented and
effective.
BYPASS ROM
A priority and companion document to the Kalispell Area Transportation Plan
was the Kalispell Bypass Feasibility Study. Its primary purpose was to
identify a recommended alignment for a US 93 Bypass around the City of
Kalispell, Mt. In all, seven different alignments were analyzed. The
recommended bypass alignment ultimately chosen lies on the near west side of
Kalispell. The new four -lane road would begin at Ball's Crossing (HWY. 93 S)
and generally follow the Burlington Northern Railroad alignment north to Foy's
Lake Road, cross through the Forest Products property west of the wye in the
railroad tracks, cross US 2 at -grade, then proceed north through the Two Mile
and Three Mile area to Stillwater Road, then north to Reserve and US 93. The
route would be a limited access roadway, signed as an Alternate Route to US
93, with speeds ranging from 40 to 55 miles per hour. (See Figure 7.4)
The bypass segments north of US 2 and the segment of Reserve Drive from US 93
to US 2 (LaSalle Road) could also serve as an alternate route for US 2.
PROPOSED MAJOR STREET NETWORK
The Kalispell City -County Master Plan defines the characteristics of each
functional classification. Those definitions are presented here, with
recommended traffic volume thresholds. These thresholds are based on the
results of the travel demand projections for 2015, as shown in Figure 7.4.
The hierarchy of functional classification is intended to identify the
traffic -carrying capacities on all roads, relative to the others.
Major Arterials
A major road or highway with moderate to fast speeds and high traffic volumes.
Major arterials provide access to the regional transportation network. They
move traffic across the country, between cities and communities and/or from
one major part of the Planning Jurisdiction to another. Throughout the
Planning Jurisdiction individual private accesses onto arterials serving
adjacent parcels should be discouraged. Traffic volumes would typically
exceed 15,000 vehicles per day.
Sa
¢ �
O
a
9
12,000
20�'
o +_,000
j Reserve Dr
o
`,; °o
A a
s
CY
3,000 0�
4 hlife Dr,�-j o
4-Mile
¢'0
w g,E000"-
3 -Mile
6 l
jr-
o j
Aggregate sum of Meridian Rd., 7th Ave. West, o
5th Ave. West and 1 st Ave. West
" Aggregate sum of 1 st, 3rd, and 4th Avenue East
and Woodland Ave.
58a
KI
Figure 7.4
2015 Projected Average Daily Volum
I
' Minor Arterials
' A major road with moderate speeds designed to collect or move traffic from one
major part of the city or Planning Jurisdiction to another or to move traffic
to or from the major arterial system. Traffic volumes would generally range
' from 5,000 to 15,000 vehicles per day.
Collectors
' A secondary or intermediate street with moderate speeds and low to moderate
volumes. Such streets would collect local traffic from neighborhoods and
carry it to adjacent neighborhoods or transfer the traffic to the arterial
system. Such streets would typically serve a neighborhood or area of 150 or
more dwellings and carry 1,000 to 5,000 vehicles per day.
' Local
Minor streets intended to serve individual sites, building or lots. Local
' streets feed into collectors or provide destination access off of collectors.
Proposed Major Street Network
' This analysis resulted in the Proposed Major Street Network (Figures 7.5 and
7.6). Table 20 lists each segment of road by its functional classification.
FI
TABLE 20
'
PROPOSED MAJOR STREET NETWORK
Major Arterials:
'
US 2 (including Idaho Street and LaSalle Road)
US 93 (including Main Street and Sunset Boulevard)
'
Alternate US 93 (new road west of city)
MT 35
Reserve Drive, from US 93 to LaSalle Road
'
Minor Arterials:
Cemetery Road, from Airport Road to US 93
Lower Valley Road, from US 93 to Willow Glen Drive
18th Street West, from 1st Avenue West to Airport Road
Foy's Lake Road, from South Foy's Lake Road to Meridian Road
Whalebone Drive, from West Springcreek Road to Foy's Lake Road
'
11th Street, from 5th Avenue West to 4th Avenue East
7th Street West, from Meridian to 5th Avenue West
Conrad Drive, from Woodland Avenue to Lasalle Road
'
Center Street, from Alternate US 93 to Woodland Avenue
Three Mile Drive, from West Springcreek Road to Meridian Road
Four Mile Drive, from West Springcreek Road to Alternate US 93
'
Evergreen Drive, from Alternate US 93 to LaSalle Road
Reserve Drive, from West Springcreek Road to Alternate US 93
West Springcreek Road, from Whalebone Drive to Reserve Drive
'59
FI
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1
Meridian Road, fro• Fay's Lake Road to Sunset Boulevard
5th Avenue West, from 11th Street West to Idaho Street
1st Avenue West, from 18th Street West to 11th Street West
,
Airport Road, fro■ Cemetery Road to 18th Street West.
1st Avenue East, from Center Street to Idaho Street
3rd Avenue East, fro■ 11th Street East to Idaho Street
1
4th Avenue East, from 11th Street East to Idaho Street
Woodland Avenue, from Willow Glen Drive to Center Street
7th Avenue East, from 3rd Avenue East to Oregon Street
'
Whitefish Stage Road, from Oregon Street to Reserve Drive
Woodland Park Drive, from Conrad Drive to US 2
Willow Glen Drive, from Lower Valley Road to Conrad Drive
LaSalle Road, from Conrad Drive to MT 35
'
Helena Flats Road, from MT 35 to Reserve Drive
Collectors:
'
Kelly Road, from US 93 to Willow Glen Drive
18th Street, from Alternate US 93 to 3rd Avenue East
14th Street East, from 3rd Avenue East to 4th Avenue East
'
11th Street West, from 7th Avenue West to 5th Avenue West
11th Street East, from 4th Avenue East to Woodland Avenue
6th Street, from 5th Avenue West to 4th Avenue East
4th Street, from 5th Avenue West to 1st Avenue East
2nd Street, from Meridian Road to Woodland Avenue
Conrad Drive, from LaSalle Road to Flathead River
,
Appleway, from US 2 to Meridian
Montana Street, from 5th Avenue West to 3rd Avenue East
Oregon Street, from Main Street to 7th Avenue East
Wyoming Street, from Meridian Road to Sunset Boulevard
,
Two Mile Drive, from West Springcreek Road to Meridian Road
Sunnyview Lane, from Sunset Boulevard to Grandview Drive
Northridge Drive, from Hilltop Avenue to US 93
,
Evergreen Drive, from LaSalle Road to Helena Flats Road
Reserve Drive, from LaSalle Road to Helena Flats Road
Stillwater Road, from Three Mile Drive to Alternate UG 93
Kinshella Drive, from Two Mile Drive to Northridge Drive
'
Northern Lights Blvd/Hilltop Avenue, from Three Mile Drive to Northridge Drive
7th Avenue West, from Sunnyside Drive to Wyoming Street
5th Avenue West, from Sunnyside Drive to 11th Street West
5th Avenue West, from Idaho Street to Wyoming Street
1st Avenue West, from 11th Street West to Center Street
Airport Road, from 18th Street West to US 93
'
New Road, from Sunnyview Lane to Reserve Drive
Grandview Drive, from Sunnyview Lane to Evergreen Drive
1st Avenue East, from US 93 to Center Street
3rd Avenue East, from US 93 to 11th Street West
'
3rd Avenue East, from Idaho Street to Oregon Street
4th Avenue East, from 14th Street East to 11th Street East
4th Avenue East, from Idaho Street to Oregon Street
'
South Woodland Drive, from Kelly Road to Woodland Avenue
Shady Lane, fro■ Conrad Drive to MT 35
60
t
Kalispell
,IAEA TRANSP01'fATION
Figure 7.5
60a 2015 Proposed Major Street Network
� Minor Arterial
Collector
Local
...""""""" Railroad
Kallspell
AREA TRAMPORTATION
Figure 7.6
60b 2015 Proposed Major Street Network • Cal
' RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENTS
' This section describes the specific improvements necessary to achieve the
proposed Major Street Network as well as the recommended bypass route. Table
21 located at the end of this Chapter provides a summary of the recommended
' improvements, listed by their MDT designation as either urban or rural
arterials and collectors, and identifies estimated cost (excluding right-of-
way). Groupings of projects by First Priority and Second Priority have been
' determined based on existing versus future needs as described below.
Additional System Improvements
' Improvements included in the First Priority grouping would result in the
greatest benefit to existing traffic system performance. Second Priority
projects will primarily serve future development needs as urban development
' expands into the adjacent rural areas surrounding Kalispell. Improvements to
these Second Priority roads will also increase safety for motorists,
pedestrians and bicyclists. Other long -ter■ improvement alternatives were
' considered but not recommended. A description of these considerations is also
provided below.
First Priority Projects:
' The following four projects, listed in order of importance to the Kalispell
area street network, are deemed most critical to meet existing traffic
' demands:
Meridian Road between Idaho Street and US 93 North. This narrow
' two-lane segment of Meridian Road is recommended to be improved to
include four lanes from Idaho Street north to Three Mile Drive and
three lanes north of Three Mile Drive to US 93 as an urban minor
arterial with curb and gutter and pedestrian/bicycle
accommodations, consistent with city plans to enhance the quality
of the North Meridian neighborhood's residential character.
Whitefish Stage Road between Oregon Street and Reserve Drive.
This narrow two-lane segment of Whitefish Stage Road now carries
6,000 vehicles per day and is projected to carry approximately
19,000 vehicles per day by 2015. The road is recommended for
widening and minor realignment to include eight -foot paved
'
shoulders, improved vertical and horizontal sight distance through
the curves in the vicinity of the Stillwater River, and a center
'
left -turn lane at major street and driveway intersections.
Willow Glen Drive fro■ US 93 to Conrad Drive. This two-lane rural
arterial road is recommended to be widened to include paved
'
shoulders, improved sight distance and left -turn lanes at Woodland
Avenue and Conrad Drive.
LaSalle Road Extension. LaSalle Road is recommended to be
extended south of the US 2/MT 35 intersection to Conrad Drive.
This improvement will provide a more direct connection fro■ the
'
61
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Central Business District via 2nd Street/Conrad Drive and from
Willow Glen Drive to US 2 north. '
18th Street Extension. 18th Street is recommended to be extended
west to connect with Sunnyside Drive and Valleyview Drive as a 1
two-lane collector road. This improvement will provide a
desirable additional east/west connection from existing US 93 to
the proposed western bypass route along the BNRR right-of-way.
Second Priority Projects: i
Existing US 93. The existing two-lane segments of US 93 north of
Grandview/Four Mile Drive to Reserve and south of the Courthouse
1
to Ball's Crossing is recommended to be widened to include four
through travel lanes plus center turn lane.
1
Reserve Drive between LIS 93 and LIS 2. This two-lane major
arterial is recommended to be widened to include four through
travel lanes and center turn lane.
1
Existing Rural Minor Arterials. Table 7-2 outlines existing rural
minor arterial road segments in need of widening to include paved
shoulders, improved recovery zone, and left -turn lanes at major
1
intersecting streets or drives. These road segments include West
Springcreek Road, Stillwater Road, Four Mile Drive, Whalebone
Drive, Foy's Lake Road, Conrad Drive, Helena Flats, Reserve Drive
1
west of US 93, Three Mile Drive and Evergreen Drive from Whitefish
Stage Road to LaSalle Road.
New Rural Minor Arterials. Two new segments of rural Minor
1
arterial road are also recommended to be added to the system to
provide increased accessibility by completion of the mile grid
network of roads. These new road segments are the extension of
1
Four Mile Drive to the proposed bypass and the extension of
Grandview Drive/Evergreen Drive from US 93 east to Whitefish Stage
Road. Both road segments cross difficult terrain and may require
a curved alignment off the section line to negotiate the steep
1
slopes. The segment of Evergreen extension will also require a
new bridge over the Stillwater River and environmental impact
mitigation considerations.
1
Existing Rural Collectors. Seven existing rural collector road
segments are recommended for widening to include paved shoulders
1
and left -turn lanes at major intersecting streets. These roads
include Two Mile Drive, Evergreen and Reserve Drives east of
LaSalle Road, and Center Street extended west to the proposed
bypass (urban collector within city limits).
1
Existing Urban Minor Arterials. Three existing urban minor
arterial road segments are recommended for improvements including
1
Grandview Drive, 7th Avenue East north of Idaho and Four Mile
Drive west of US 93.
1
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1
I
New Urban Collectors. A new "north side collector" roadway is
' proposed to extend south from Reserve Drive to Sunnyview lane to
provide alternative access to Flathead Valley Community College
and Kalispell Regional Hospital. The new road has been approved
t by the Flathead County Commissioners but not funded for
construction.
1
Consideration was given to the previously proposed extension of
7th Avenue East south from Idaho Street across the BNRR tracks to
'
connect directly to Woodland Avenue. Public opposition to this
connection has focused on the potential for increased traffic on
Woodland Avenue as a bypass route from Idaho Street to Willow Glen
'
Drive. However, the advantage of this connection is that it would
provide an additional route fro■ Idaho Street south to access the
Central Business District, relieving heavy left turns at 4th and
'
3rd Streets (should be Avenues), as well as Main and Idaho.
Traffic forecast analysis indicates approximately 19,000 vehicles
per day would utilize a connection of 7th Avenue East to Woodland
Avenue, substantially decreasing traffic volume on Idaho east of
'
Main Street. The connection would result in an increase of about
2,000 vehicles per day on Woodland Avenue south of 2nd Street.
'
An alternative connection was considered with 7th Avenue East
extending south from Idaho Street across the BNRR tracks and then
curving onto the Center Street alignment. Under this scenario,
Woodland Avenue would end at Center Street in a cul-de-sac. This
alignment would provide for direct access into the Central
Business District, but would require relocation of the power
substation and several homes along the north side of Center
'
Street. There is a concern that traffic wishing to make the
connection between 7th Avenue East and Woodland Avenue would
utilize 5th Avenue East to double back to Woodland Avenue,
'
impacting residences along this local street. There is also
concern regarding vehicle/train sight distance where the new
curving roadway connection would cross the BNRR tracks at a skewed
'
angle.
A third alternative has been considered for extension of 7th
Avenue East south of Idaho Street to the BNRR track alignment,
'
then curving to the west along the railroad tracks to 3rd and 4th
Avenues East with a potential future extension as far west as"Main
Street. This alignment may be dependent on future abandonment of
'
the BNRR tracks through the Kalispell Central Business District
and/or redevelopment of adjacent land.uses. Because of the land
use and traffic impacts of the first two alignment alternatives,
this curving alignment is recommended as the preferred plan,
dependent on future BNRR track abandonment. Reconsideration of
the extension should be given when BNRR plans are confirmed to
'
determine specific alignments.
At -Grade Railroad Crossings. At -grade railroad crossings may be
affected by improvements or traffic diversions to Meridian Road
63
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north of Center Street, 3rd and 4th Avenue East and Reserve Drive
west of LaSalle Road. Road improvement plans should address rail '
crossing safety by considering individual crossing geometrics,
signalization, signing and pavement markings and MDT road design
standards, policies and procedures.
1
1
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64
' Kalispell Area Transportation Plan
' TABLE 21
Recommended Alternative Improvements
1
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1
Rural Minor Arterials
Road
Segment
Status
Lan. Ird.)
Cost
W. S rin creek Road
Whalebone Drive to Reserve Drive
Existing
3.5
43,190,000
Mile Drive
W. S rin creek Road to Stillwater Road
Existing
1.0
4920,000
Whalebone Drive
W. 5 rin creek Road to Fo 's Lake Road
Existing
1.0
4920,000
Fo 's Lake Road
Whalebone Drive to Valle view Drive
Existing
0.9
4820.000
Willow Glen Drive
Lower Valley Road to Conrad Drive
Existing
2.7
12.460,000
Conrad Drive
Willow Glen Drive to La Salle Extension
Existing
0.5
1460,000
Reserve Drive
W. S rin creek Road to Stillwater Reed
Existing
1.0
4920,000
Reserve Drive
Stillwater Road to US 93
Existing
1.0
4920.000
Whiteflsh Stage Road
Evergreen Drive to Reserve Drive
Existino
1.0
4920,000
Whitefish Stn a Road
City Limits to Evergreen Drive
Existing
1.3
31,190,000
4 -Mile Drive
Bypass to City Limits
New
0.5
9480,000
Eve Teen Drive
Grandview Drive to Whitefish Stage Road
New
0.7
41,526,000
3 -Mile Drive
W. Springicreek Road to Meridian Road
Existing
2.0
91,830,000
Evergreen Drive
Whitefish Stage Road to LaSalle Drive
Exiatina
1.5
91,370.000
La Salle Road Extension
Conrad Drive to US2
New
0.7
91,302.000
Conrad Drive
lWoodland Avenue to Willow Glen Drive
Existing
0.9
11620,00011
Helena Flats Road
MT -35 to Reserve Drive
Existin
1.1
9870,000
120,920.000
Notes: 1) Existing status includes Cost for pavement removal
2) Cort includes a 20% contingency rounded up to the nearest 410,000, and exclusive of ROW
31 Cost estimate for Evergreen Drive, Grandview to Whitefish Stage Road includes new bridge over Stillwater River.
41 Cost estimate for La Salle Road Extension, Conrad Drive to US2 includes new bridge over a tributary of Flathead
.._. _. a_Road
Segment
Status
Len. Ind.)
Cost/NS
Cost
Stillwater Road
3 -Mile Drive to Bypass
Existing0.5
$280,2221
4655.000
9400,
Sunn side Drive
Valle 'ew Drive to 5th Avenue West
Existin
0.7
9655.000
4560,
18th St./Sunnyside Drive
Sth Avenue W. to 1 it Avenue W.
New
0.3
4668,000
42SO,
2 -Mile Drive
W. S rin creek Road to Meridian Road
Existing2.0
4655,000
41,580,
Evergreen Drive
LaSalle Drive to Helena Flats Road
Existing1.0
4655.000
4790,
Reserve Drive
LaSalle Drive to Helena Flats Road
Existing1.0
4655.000
4790,
Center Street
By ass to C' Limits
Existing0.2
4655:000
160.
TOTAL
44'530'000
11
Notes: 11 Existing status includes cost for pavement removal
2) Cort includes a 20% contingency rounded up to the nearest 410,000, and exclusive of ROW
Arterials
to US 93
L;
1) Existing status Includes cost for pavement removal
21 Cost Includes a 20% contingency rounded up to the nearest 410,000, and exclusive of ROW
Urban Collectors
Road
Se ment
Status
I Len. [ml.) ICast
18th Street
1 a Avenue W. to 3rd Avenue E.
Existing
0.3
$280,2221
New Northaide Collector
Sunn view Lane to Reserve Drive
New
1.8
91.610,
New Westaide Collector
US2 to 3 -Mile Drive
New
1.0 1
4900,00
Center Street -
Clt Limits to Meridian Road
Existing0.2
4190.
TOTAL
92.980.
Notes 11 Existing status includes cost for pavement removal
21 Cost includes a 20% contingency rounded up to the nearest 910,000, and exclusive of ROW
' GRAND TOTAL I931,150,000
64a
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1 8z COANNITY FACILITIES
' Community facilities and services are generally tax supported institutions
which provide cultural, governmental, educational, recreational, and health
' related benefits to the whole community. Such infrastructure investment play a
role in the development process of any area. In many cases the rate and
location of development may depend to a certain extent on the location,
design, construction and timing of public facilities and services. Therefore,
t public facilities should not only have the capacity to serve the whole
community, but should also have optimum locations in terms of accessibility
and environment.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
' The Kalispell Police Department, located in City Hall, has a total staff of 35
including clerical. There are 21 policemen of which 16 are involved in patrol
work. The department may respond to calls up to three miles outside the city
' limits. They do not do so as a matter of policy. The prime responsibility for
law enforcement outside the city limits lies with the County Sheriff's
Department.
Planning for law enforcement is quite complex as a number of variables should
be considered. Moreover, past studies have, on the whole, been done for larger
' metropolitan areas and thus results should not be utilized without reservation
for the Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction. As a guide, a single police station
is usually adequate for densities of up to 25 persons per acre with a service
area of between 5,000-10,000 acres. The city of Kalispell currently
' encompasses an area of only 2,650 acres and has a density of approximately 4.2
people per acre. Consequently, the present single station is adequate for
present needs.
' An acceptable standard used to evaluate the adequacy of present staff members
is 2.7 total staff per 1,000 population or two officers for each 1,000
population. This would require a minimum total staff of 29 or an officer staff
' of 21, both of which are presently met.
' Planning Recommendations
1. Based on projected land use needs and densities, the single .police
' station will be adequate through the 2010 planning period.
2. Based on the 2010 population projection of approximately 12,600, the
present staff numbers are adequate; but, the number of police officers
' should be increased by four or five in coming years to address
population increases in the city.
'
65
t
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Fire protection is dependent upon the size and type of fire protection, work
force, availability of adequate water, type of equipment and the response time
involved.
Fire protection services within the city limits of Kalispell are provided by
the Kalispell Fire Department, while the remainder of the Planning
Jurisdiction receive fire protection from volunteer fire departments,
specifically West Valley in the northwest, Evergreen in the northeast, Smith
Valley'in the southwest and South Kalispell in the southeast. The Kalispell
Fire Department and these volunteer fire departments have mutual aid
agreements whereby they can call on each other for help when necessary.
The Kalispell Fire Department, which is located in City Hall, has 20 full time
fire—fighters and three chief officers. The city has a fire insurance rating
of five with a rating of approximately eight in the surrounding area. All city
areas are equipped with hydrants. The department is equipped with the
following apparatus:
1973 "Superior" 1250 gpm pumper
1978 "Seagraves" 95 foot aerial ladder and 1250 gpm pumper
Two 1950 "Purshes" 750 gpm pumpers
1925 "LaFrance" 1000 gpm pumper
Three ambulances
Based on planning standards, a city with 10,000 population should have two
engine companies and one ladder company. At the present, Kalispell with a 1980
population of 10,648 does have two engine companies and a ladder company.
However, although the equipment is presently adequate, two of the pumpers are
already over 30 years old and at least one should be replaced within the next
five years.
According to the American Insurance Association, the city the size of
Kalispell with its present equipment and personnel should have a maximum
service radius of 1.5 miles or approximately five minutes. While a majority of
the present incorporated city falls within this standard, a substantial and
growing area to the north and northwest is beyond the optimum service area.
This includes the hospital/medical complex on Buffalo Hill, the Junior High
School and the residential neighborhoods beyond.
Planning Recommendations
1. As the city continues to expand to the north and west, a fire substation
should be located in this portion of the city. An optimum location would
be on or adjacent to the future college site.
2. The city should in the short term, within the next five years, replace
the aging equipment in its present fleet and should purchase additional
equipment in the future, to equip a future substation when it is
established.
E. r,
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11
1
WATER
Water for the city of Kalispell is supplied by a publicly owned system of
wells and a natural spring. The pumping station at the spring has three pumps
with capacities of 3,000 gallons per minute (gpm), 21500 gpm and 2,000 gpm.
When all three of these pumps are in operation, they pump between 6,100 and
6,200 gpm depending upon the water level in the reservoirs. The only treatment
of this source of . water is chlorination. Additional supply is provided by
three wells: The Depot Well.is 340 feet deep and has a capacity of 11300 gpm,
the Armory Well is 390 feet deep and has a capacity of 1,700 gpm, and a new
2,000 gpm well in the Buffalo Hill vicinity was drilled in 1979 and came into
service in 1580. None of these wells require treatment.
Water storage tanks equalize pressure throughout the distribution, system or
provide emergency supply in case of interruption of power or failure of
pumping facilities. They also provide flows to meet peak demands. In addition,
the amount and location of storage -is an integral part of ihe'wate['system's..
ability to deliver water for fire fighting purposes,. Kalispell has two on -
ground reservoirs located in the northern portion of the city. One of these
tanks has a capacity of 2.7 mg and the other -1.7 mg. 'A booster station located
nearby pumps water into a 100,000 gallon tank which is elevated 150 feet. A
portion of the city is separated into a high level pressure district.
Kalispell presently has 4,500 residential and commercial meters in service.
Based on the present population and the projected year 2010 populationof
12,500, Kalispell has adequate supply to meet its present and future needs.
However, if the city continues to grow to the north and west, at some time in
the future a new well should be established in the vicinity of the future
college site to maintain domestic and fire flows.
Those properties outside thei corporate limits of Kalispellare served by
either private wells'ar in the case of Evergreen, a community' water system.
The Evergreen Water District began operation in 1968 and serves 5,000-6,000
people. The district operates two wells, each with a pumping capacity of 1,200
gpm for a maximum capacity „of 21000 gpm and a daily capacity of 1.88 million
gallons. The system also co.Mgins a ground level storage tank with a one
million gallon capacity. The District is presently operating at about 75%
capacity on a yearly basis. In 1985, the District drilled a third well with a
planned capacity of 1,500 gpm or ,2.18 mgd. This should incrsase "overall
capacity by 75% and allow.for a doubling of the present numbe(• of hookups.
Based on projected populations in the rural portion of the Planning
Jurisdiction and that proportion which would be expected to reside in
Evergreen District, the District should have adequate water supply to address
these needs through the planning' period.
Planning Recommendations
1. An Extension of Services Plan should be adopted which establishes
specific policies and general direction to the extension of future water
- mains and the ability of the present system to accept these extensions.
2. Figure 8 visually presents the city of Kalispell Water Extension Plan to
serve those areas where growth is anticipated or proposed.
E•7
21
KALISPELL
WATER SYSTEM
EXTENSION PLAN
Ey
—� EXISTING M411
5 1OI1 OR LARGER
u...... EXISTING MAII TO Be
ENVALENED BY CITY
PROPOSED MAINS (CITY BUILDS)
•� PROPOSED WINS (REVEL. BUILDS
EXISTING SPRINGS - 7000 GPM
p - EXISTING ELEVATED TANK .10 MG
- EXISTING RESERVOIRS
- EXISTING WELL
PROPOSED WELL
FIGURE 8
N'
0 SOU�00 FT.
RITVGE
VnL
N
SEWER
A sewerage system is a network of drains and sewers used to collect the liquid
wastes of a city for subsequent treatment or disposal.
The city of Kalispell operates a sewage treatment plant which provides
secondary treatment with partial tertiary treatment. This plant' is located
along Ashley Creek south of a peakty. of.4re treatment pant ca .4 mgd. Such alsystemncannaccommodate a
'a flow Of
approximately 2 mgd with
papulation of approximately
roximatelel a p
y 15,000 to 1£,000 having a base sanitary flow of
1.5 mgd, plus an allowance of 1.4 mgd for infiltration and inflow. Presently,
the average daily sanitary flow is approximately 1.1 mgd.
The sewer system is a combined sanitary -storm system constructed in ,f our time
plant
segments: Primary plant completed in 1942, additions in 1959, secondary p
and polishing filters in 1973, and aeration basinof
,in 1978. The replacement.
the sludge handling facility was undertaken in 1984. .
And
The present collection system suffers from high grortionstof thelsewerlsystem
storm run-off inflow which causes overloading of p
and the treatment plant. This infiltration pump stationsl and treatmenttsystem�.aIf
carrying capacity of the sewer lines, pump
the amount of infiltration and inflow could be reduced theoretically the plan,. ..-
could serve a population in excess of 18,000.
Given present conditions, the entire system is operating at 501A capacity—This
assumes that every. component of the system will operate flawlessly."
Realistically though,of
mseortdeficienciesoin theh
the present systemsystem,
its actual capacity due to inherent p oble
scheduled maintenance and breakdowns which tend.to occur in':anyw sewer system
under working conditions.
undertaken for the
A sewerage treatment facilities plan is currently being
Evergreen area., Densities have reached, on,_ average, two units per acre with
private septic ;tank as the primary disposal system. The Evergreen area is
plagued by high ground, water which limits the desirability and effectiveness
of these private systems causing ground water -pollution.
PlanM4 Recommendations
i. The city is extending sewer' mains beyond the city limits,, to service
specific development proposals. In those areas whe.re.annexation does not
occur initially,the extension is contingent upon a waiver of protest
for annexation-. being executed. A study should be conducted to determine
the capacity ,of these new service areas and, their ultimate developed
_,...._ �e
4 a..=r-system.
0
M
12"
12"
iCWAOE
TREATMENT
PLANT
FIGURE 9
�N
o so0^ o o 2000 FT.
KCT
KALISPELL
�'
EXISTING
SEWER MAIN
-
PROPOSESTRUNK
(CITY
-
GO[ LES
OA KLAABES)
SEWER SYSTEM
PROPOSED
BUILOS)
TRUNK (BEVEL.
n-
PASPSSEB
FORCE MAIM
PLAN
•-
LIFTLSTATIO
EXTENSION
/-Y-
l✓
PROPOSED
PROPOSED
(BEVEL.
LIFT STATION
BUILDS)
FIGURE 9
�N
o so0^ o o 2000 FT.
I
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3. An extension of services plan should be adopted which establishes
specific policies and gives general direction to the extension of future
sewer mains and the ability of the present system to accept those
extensions.
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
The city of Kalispell provides its residents with a garbage removal service.
However, a private hauler, Evergreen Disposal, also provides service in the
city. Property owners pay for municipal garbage removal service through
property taxes, therefore, those people utilizing Evergreen Disposal must
request the charge for garbage removal to be taken off their taxes. The city
serves mostly residential and some commercial properties while 'Evergreen
Disposal serves mostly commercial and some residential properties within the
city.
Presently, the city's solid waste collection program is conducted using two of
three garbage trucks on a full time basis. One truck works east of Main Street
while the other works west of Main with areas receiving service on specific
days. In general, residences receive garbage pick-up while businesses receive
service three times a week. However, property owners may request service more
than once a week, for example, the Lutheran home and some apartment buildings
request pick-up three times a week.
In those areas outside the city limits and beyond the Evergreen Disposal
' service area, strategically located public dumpsters provided by the county
are utilized.
' Planning Recommendation
' 1. As the city expands its boundaries and as populations grow the two
municipal routes will have to be expanded accordingly.
' SCHOOLS
There are seven elementary school districts within the Kalispell Planning
' Jurisdiction. These are School Districts 1, 3, 5, 14, 15, 26, and 43. However,
only district 50, the Evergreen School System, is completely contained within
the Planning Jurisdiction. High School District 5 serves the entire Planning
Jurisdiction while Elementary District 5 serves the city and the majority of
' the Planning Jurisdiction.
Elementary District 5 serves the city of Kalispell with five schools -
' Edgerton, Elrod, Hedges, Peterson, and Russell. Kalispell Junior High School
was completed and ready for use in 1969. However, upon completion, the new
facility was unable to accommodate all the junior high students resulting in
the utilization of Linderman School as part of the junior high system. All of
District 5's seventh graders attend Linderman School and all of its eighth and
ninth graders attend Kalispell Junior High School. Flathead Senior High
School, the only senior high school which serves High School District 5, was
' originally constructed in 1903 and completely renovated in 1969, and
71
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accommodates tenth
through twelfth grades. The Evergreen School
District
'
contains
two elementary schools, one which caters to kindergarten
through
grade 3,
and the
other grades 4 through 8. In addition, there
are four
One Junior High School for every 13,000-16,000 people. Each
parochial
schools
in the planning area: Trinity Lutheran, St.
Matthews,
'
Flathead
Christian
and Nazarene Christian Academy.
should be located on 40 acres.
'
Needs
'
Planning
Standards
citizen's group study for School District No. 5 was conducted in
1978. This citizen's group determined that the student load -at Flathead High
Following are accepted planning standards for assessing school facility
locations:
,
Elementary:
One elementary school for. every 31000-5,000 people. Each
school should be located on a minimum seven acre site.
'
Junior High:
One Junior High School for every 13,000-16,000 people. Each
school site should contain a minimum 30 acres.
Senior High:
One Senior High for each 20,000-24,000 people. Each school
should be located on 40 acres.
'
Needs
,
An in-depth
citizen's group study for School District No. 5 was conducted in
1978. This citizen's group determined that the student load -at Flathead High
School is too high for the physical plant and for an acceptable student
environment.
Moreover, the existing acreage of the high school falls well
'
below minimum planning standards. The School District has tentatively
identified a
future 40 acre high school site north of Kalispell in the
vicinity of U.S. Highway 93 and Four Mile Drive.
'
This study also identified the need for three additional elementary school '
sites for District 5 to address future growth and expansion within the
Planning Jurisdiction. Three seven -acre sites have been identified and the
properties have been transferred to the district specifically for elementary
school construction. The three sites include a westerly site in the vicinity '
of West Spring Creek Road and Two Mile Drive, a northern site at the
intersection of Whitefish Stage Road and East Evergreen Drive (under
construction with a scheduled opening of Fall, 1986) and a southeastern site '
near Willow Creek Drive and South Woodland Avenue.
Planning Recommendations ,
1. Relocate the high school facility to a more accessible site containing a
minimum of 40 acres as soon as is economically feasible. An appropriate ,
site would be in the Four Mile Drive -Highway 93 vicinity.
2. As population and economics warrant, retain the three future elementary ,
school sites and construct new elementary facilities.
72
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FLATHEAD VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Flathead Valley Community College was established in 1967. The school has
shown continued growth as is indicated by the enrollment increasing from 611
to 1,300 between 1967 and 1983. The college provides junior college services,
several types of vocational training and adult education. The college has
recently expanded its computer department and is trying to institute a
Registered Nurse program.
Presently, the college is housed in six major buildings in the Kalispell
Central Business District. Administration and educational functions are
conducted in the former Elks Building, the Central Junior High School and Big
Valley Dodge Building. Just recently the college has acquired the former
Tannehill building plus a $35,000 building near Heritage Hall has been donated
to the college.
' The college facility, because of its location and use of older buildings has
several deficiencies. College functions are located in several scattered
locations creating a disjointed atmosphere. The buildings are older and were
not designed for educational use. Accessibility by the mobility handicapped is
extremely difficult. Parking is limited to non-existent and the present site
has no athletic or physical education facilities.
' The college has recently purchased a site north of Kalispell, in the vicinity
of U.S. Highway 93 and Grandview Drive and has plans of relocating to the site
in the future. Such a site would provide an opportunity to construct an
' appropriate facility with adequate parking, a campus atmosphere and room for
future expansion if necessary.
' Planning Recommendation
1. Begin relocation of the Flathead Valley Community College to a more
suitable location as time an finances permit.
' PARKS AND RECREATION
Parks and outdoor recreation areas are basic public amenities that contribute
' to a high quality of living in an area. Parks and recreation are essential to
the physical, mental, and emotional health of the individual and society. they
also help maintain an ecological balance, and create an optimum environment.
In addition, recreation areas can also be utilized to promote tourism by
' providing unique and comprehensive recreational facilities within these areas.
1
The demand for these facilities is constantly increasing due to population
growth, increased leisure time, mobility of the population, technological
advancement in recreational equipment, and the improvement in the standard of
living. One of the purposes of the Master Plan is to identify the needs and
deficiencies of recreational facilities in the Planning Jurisdiction area as
well as potentials for developing new recreational and tourism related
facilities in the area.
73
The residents of the Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction have access to vast areas
of some of the most scenic open space and best hunting and fishing in the
nation. The city is within an hours drive of Glacier National Park, the Bob
Marshall Wilderness, Flathead Lake and the list goes on. Despite all these
recreational opportunities in the outlying areas, the city must focus its
attention on providing adequate recreation in the immediate urban area. Within
urban areas, parks are generally grouped into three categories:
D
1
Neighborhood Parks: Minimum size of five acres serving a population
of
,
2,000-3,000 with a service
area of one-fourth to one-
half mile radius.
1.2
,
Community Parks: Minimum size of 15 acres
serving a population
of
30.3
5,000-7,000 with a service
area of one-half to one
and
'
one-half mile radius.
1.9
Kalispell Golf Course
Regional Parks: Minimum size of 25 acres serving a population of ,
8,000-10,000 located within one-half hour driving time
of user.
A community should provide its residents access to the hierarchy of park
facilities mentioned above. As discussed in Chapter 5 - Existing Land Use, the
Planning Jurisdiction has an abundance of park lands. With over sixteen
percent of the developed land in parks or greenbelts. This is almost twice the
development that would be normally anticipated based on population. Following
is a listing of park lands by ,jurisdictional ownership:
City Parks
1
1
Daley Field
10.0
,
Airport Road Park
2.3
Courthouse Park
1.2
Depot Park
1.0
'
Lawrence Park
30.3
Griffin Park
2.1
Hawthorne Park
1.9
Kalispell Golf Course
250.0
'
Lawrence Park
25.7
Lions Park and Haven Field
10.0
Meridian Park
3.3
'
Northridge
5.6
Parkview Terrace
0.3
Porta Villa
0.4
Sunset Park
4.5
,
Thompson Field
2.0
Washington Street Park
1.0
Woodland Park
38.5
Buffalo Head Park
4.0
Kalispell Lions Park
0.4
Dry Bridge Park
15.17
'
TOTAL 408.77 Acres '
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County Parks
'
Mission Village
17.91
'
King's Loop
5.21
Evergreen Lions Park
3.36
Reserve Drive
4.05
Northhaven
1.12
'
Hillcrest
7.0
Two Mile
0.17
Big Sky
0.5
'
Meadow Hills
2.89
Ashley Creek Greenbelt
9.0
Conrad Complex
13.0
Western Acres
1.79
Lone Pine
13:35
Foy's Lake & Access
2.27
Foy's Park (Lone Pine Boat Access)
0.02 (7009
'
Herron Park
113.7
Owen Sowerine Natural Area
442.0
Leisure Island Lane
15.25
Leisure Island
76.0
Green Acres
1.54
Wapiti
3.41
Foy's School
2.0
Silver Shadows
0.934
' TOTAL 742.0
' State Parkas
' Old Steel Bridge 12.0
Kiwanis Lane 10.0
Presentine Bar 6.0
' Lone Pine 143.0
TOTAL 176.0 Acres
' Although the Planning Jurisdiction presently has adequate recreational
' facilities in the form of parks, there is a need to link some of the
recreational areas so they can be utilized as transportation corridors in the -
form of walkways, bicycle trails and hiking trails. There is also an expressed.
' need for: a year-round, indoor public facility for use mainly during the long
winter hours. The present indoor facilities are private and do not serve the
entire population of the city or Planning Jurisdiction.
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Planning Recommendations
'
1.
The Flathead, Stillwater and Whitefish Rivers, and Ashley and Spring
Creeks flow through the Planning Jurisdiction. The water bodies provide
'
an optimum visual and perceptual environment for both active and passive
recreation. For these reasons, it is proposed that the riverfronts be
developed as a primary recreation corridor through preservation and
conservation efforts. A sufficiently wide greenbelt in the form of
'
natural vegetation should be preserved along both sides of the rivers
and creeks in order to preserve the integrity of the rivers, maintain an
ecological balance, and provide a continuous visual and perceptual
'
environment spatially binding together the various recreational areas
along the rivers.
'
2.
Provide for the addition of Neighborhood Parks as residential areas
expand and population densities increase in various areas.
3.
Establish.policies for the administration of the parkland dedication or
'
cash -in -lieu payments provided for in the city and county subdivision
regulations.
'
4.
Undertake a recreation study by analyzing the development and
recreational status of each parkland site, instituting a needs survey to
determine needs of the population and then assess where deficiencies are
'
in terms of development of the existing parklands.
5. Follow the Park and Open Space Recommendations as, visually presented in '
Figure 21 Page 85.
OTHER FACILITIES
City Hall
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The present City Hall, located on the fringes of the Central Business District
was constructed in 1979. The building is in good condition and besides housing
the city offices, contains the police department and the fire department.
Library
Flathead County Library is located in Kalispell. In addition, one bookmobile
offers library services to the rural areas of the county. With the exception
of Whitefish, Flathead County Library provides service to the entire county.
Whitefish supports its own library through a separate tax district.
The main library is centrally located in Kalispell using two floors of the
former United States Post Office building now owned by School District 5. The
District uses the third floor for administration offices and the basement for
storage.
The structure was originally erected in 1916 and remodeled in 1968 to house
the present library facility. Needed library expansion was achieved in 1978
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which doubled the facility's floor space capacity. Hook stocks for Flathead
Valley Community College are kept in the main library and purchases made by
the college or the library are not duplicated by the other. All purchases are
counted as one inventory which is available to everyone.
' Cemeteries
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There are three cemeteries in the Planning Jurisdiction. The largest is the
Conrad Memorial Cemetery which is located in the core of the Planning
Jurisdiction. The other two cemeteries are located an the periphery - Glacier
Memorial Gardens to the north along U.S. Highway 93 and Demersville cemetery
to the south along Cemetery Road. The later is more of historic significance
and has almost reached its capacity.
Cultural Facilities
The Kalispell Planning Jurisdiction has numerous art galleries which have
grown in number, size and reputation. The Conrad Mansion has been restored and
designated a National Historical Site. Due to the aesthetics and attractive
environment of the area, many artists have chosen to live here, thus making a
contribution to the culture of the area. The Hockaday Center and Flathead
Valley Community College also contribute to the culture by hosting exhibitions
and plays. However, there is need for a civic center/multi-purpose facility to
host cultural activities. At the present, many performances are hosted in the
Senior High School Auditorium.
Health Facilities
The city of Kalispell functions as the regional health center serving Flathead
County and the areas beyond. The bulk of the medical facilities are situated
north in the Buffalo Hills area with Kalispell Regional Hospital as the
centerpiece.
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1 9. IMPLI ENTATION
1 The adoption of the Kalispell City -County Master Plan is not the end of long
range planning efforts in the Planning Jurisdiction. It is only the beginning,
' the first step in a continuous, on-going program. The real success of the
Master Plan can only be realized and measured by the implementation program.
Too often plans are adopted and placed on a shelf to be ignored, referred to
' in passing, or worse used only when all else has failed, to justify someone's
special interest or arbitrary position. A Master Plan is, by definition, a
vision of the future. By adopting the plan, the city and county are saying
that this is the future we want. To be successful this program must involve
' private citizens within the Planning Jurisdiction as well as the planning
boards and elected officials. The following tools and programs will provide a
framework for the implementation program.
' ZONING
' Zoning is based on the Master Plan. The Plan establishes future development
patterns, i.e. residential, commercial, and industrial; but, as discussed
earlier, the Plan is only official policy. The zoning ordinance is the legal
' tool that is used to enforce these long range development patterns. It is
adopted based on the plan recommendations. Zoning regulates three general
items. Most importantly, it regulates the particular uses that may occur on a
particular piece of property by establishing various zoning districts. Zoning
also regulates the maximum height of buildings primarily to insure adequate
fire protection and also to avoid shadowing or blocking of views. Finally,
' zoning sets standards for how a structure is located on a parcel of land
including front, rear and sideyard setbacks, minimum lot sizes, and lot
coverage.
' The city of Kalispell has zoning authority over all land within the city. In
the absence of county zoning, Kalispell also can by state statute, extend its
zoning authority up to three miles beyond the present city limits. Flathead
' County, however, has by resolution directed that the Flathead County Zoning
Regulations should be enforced within this extra -territorial area thus
superceding Kalispell's authority to zone. The County Commissioners are just
beginning to uniformly apply the County Zoning Ordinance in this three mile
area. In past years, zoning was instituted piecemeal on a demand basis by
interested property owners. To date, there are approximately 18 established
zoning districts within the rural portions of the Kalispell Planning
Jurisdiction ranging in size from three acres to 700 acres.
Within the city of Kalispell, two separate zoning ordinances are being
enforced. One ordinance is designed and enforced strictly within the Kalispell
Redevelopment District encompassing the Central Business District and adjacent
residential neighborhoods. It was adopted as part of the overall redevelopment
program and is intended to address the specific needs and issues facing this
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area. The second ordinance addresses the remainder of the city. There is a
program underway to incorporate both ordinances into one document.
Recommendations:
1. The city of Kalispell should administer only one uniform zoning
ordinance. There is a need to edit or simplify the present citywide
zoning ordinance including a blending/reduction of use districts
presently administered in the city.
2. The rural lands in the Kalispell City -County Planning Jurisdiction
should be subject to a land development code administered by Flathead
County. The ,code should be based upon and be substantially in compliance
with the City -County Master Plan.
3. There should be coordination and compatibility between the Kalispell
land development codes and those enforced by the county in the rural
areas just outside the city limits.
4. Inside the city of Kalispell, zoning administration including zone
changes, conditional use permits, and variances should be based upon the
City -County Master Plan.
SUBDIVISION RESULATIONS.
In contrast to zoning which" establishes what a piece, of land can be developed
into, subdivision regulations govern how a piece of land will be developed.
Subdivision regulations provide for the legal recording of the division of
land and regulate the conversion of raw land into building lots. Within the
regulations, standards are set for street design, storm water drainage,
placement of sewer and water lines, site design including lot and block layout
and parkland and public use dedications. Subdivision regulations are an
extremely important tool in implementing the Master Plan because when a
particular piece of land is being developed, these regulations insure that:
R. The Transportation Plan is consulted. If arterial or collector streets
are proposed for the area to be developed, they must be A ncorporated
into the development.
B. The Public Utilities Plan is consulted. If major sewer or water lines
are proposed to be extended through the development, they must be
included.
C. If any public sites, i.e. school, fire substation, park, etc. are
identified on the Master Plan to be located within a development, the
public agency responsible should be involved and a specific site should
be either dedicated, purchased outright, or an alternate site be chosen.
The city of Kalispell administers subdivision regulations adopted in 1981 and
is responsible for all lards within the city limits. The county enforces the
1904 County Subdivision Regulations in the remainder of the Planning
Jurisdiction.
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Recommendations:
1. Kalispell City Subdivision Regulations and the Flathead County
Subdivision Regulations should be based upon and should implement the
' Kalispell City -County Master Plan.
2. Every effort should be made to insure compatibility between Kalispell
' and the County in the design and enforcement of subdivision regulations
which are administered in the rural area within the Planning
Jurisdiction boundaries.
' AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM
' An Agricultural Land Preservation Program is an important tool for
jurisdictions which have a large agricultural base or timber stands within
their boundaries. It recognizes that agriculture/timber is a viable and
' important component of the local economy. Typically, such programs identify
the productive agricultural or timber producing lands and then develop methods
to curb development in these areas. The intent of the program is to preserve
' the productive farmlands or timber resources in an undeveloped state thus
helping to ensure an adequate land base of the local agricultural or timber
industry. Some programs go further by providing for some form of compensatory
relief to land owners for keeping their lands in agricultural production.
Recommendations:
' 1. Inventory and map the Planning Jurisdiction's important agricultural
lands.
' 2. Develop a profile of the agricultural industry within the county
including the agri-businesses and its needs and impacts on the county's
economy.
3. Develop agricultural lands preservation programs, which are founded on
progressive alternatives to traditional planning approaches.
' BUILDING CODES
' Building codes apply only to new construction and set minimum standards for
plumbing, electrical wiring, construction techniques and materials, etc.
Building codes are not developed at the local level. Instead cities adopt one
of several national building codes developed and updated by a national code
committee.
Kalispell administers the Uniform Building Code within the city limits and the
' three mile extra -territorial zone. Beyond this area the State has
responsibility. Electrical permits are required for rill construction involving
wining. Building. permits are required for five-plex or larger residential
' construction and all commercial construction.
61
The building code insures that those structures allowed by the zoning
ordinance are properly constructed. The building code becomes the major
enforcement mechanism for the zoning code because if a permit is requested for
a use that does not comply with the zoning, the permit will be denied.
In administering the Uniform building Code beyond the city limits, where areas
are zoned by the county, the requirements of the zone dictate appropriate use.
Recommendations:
1. The city may, by state statute, extend the building code authority up to
4 1/2 miles beyond the city limits. Kalispell should extend their
building code authority up to the Planning Jurisdiction boundary to
ensure quality construction in the rural areas.
2. Flathead County should establish their own building code department and
take over jurisdiction of the rural areas outside of Kalispell.
HOUSING CODES:
Housing codes set minimum health and safety standards for all existing housing
within the city. Housing codes address minimum lighting and ventilation
standards: -.for all rooms and halls,- the. condition and number of electrical,
fixtures ands` outlets, the genera-1maintenance and, condition of- floors,
ceilings,. roof:, foundations, windows.,- chimneys, doors--and-porches and require,
all housing units to -have a kitchen with running water,, access>to bathroom and
an adequate heating system. In summary, housing codes insure that housing
units are kept in a decent, safe and sanitary condition. This helps to ensure
that the quality of residential neighborhoods will be maintained. Cities adopt
one of: several national housing code models developed and updated by.national
codes committees, Kalispell, to date, has not adopted such a code.
Recommendation:
1. The city should adopt a housing code to specifically address the housing
conditions of rental properties to ensure that the renting public is
protected as well as to maintain decent, safe and sanitary housing stock
and quality neighborhoods.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
A capital improvements plan is simply a tool that helps a community decide
what public facilities (capital improvements) to provide where, when, and at
what cost. The community's Master Plan gives direction and recommendations as
to where growth should occur in the community. The Capital Improvement Plan is
a budgeting tool to make sure there is enough money to support the community
growth. Capital improvements are generally considered to he major, Line—time
expenditures a community makes for public facilities. For example, a new well,
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' a water storage tank, sewer plant expansion, water and sewer mains, parks
acquisition and development, new streets, fire equipment, etc.
' A traditional capital improvements plan is established for a six year period.
The city analyzes, prioritizes, and projects the capital improvements which
' must be made during this time period. Realistic costs for these improvements
are established. These needs and cost projections are then incorporated into
the regular community budget process. The first year project proposals are
part of the communities annual budget. The remaining five (5) years of
proposals constitute the plan and they are just that - proposals.
Currently, the city of Kalispell does not prepare a Capital Improvements Plan
' or program The advantages of preparing a program are many. Advanced
programming of needed community facilities will help the city in avoiding
costly mistakes. The fiscal analysis process that is necessary to prepare a
program forces the city into sound financial management practice and will help
' guide the city in making annual budget decisions. Finally, identification of
anticipated future construction may encourage the selection of needed land
well in advance of actual construction, thus permitting acquisition of lower
costs.
Recommendation:
1. Prepare a Capital Improvements Plan and begin implementation of the
overall program.
1
FEOERAUSTATE GRANT PROGRAMS
' Acquisition of needed public facilities and utilities as identified in the
Master Plan can be assisted financially through state and federal grant and
' loan programs. Eligible activities under various programs include sewer and
water facilities, streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, land acquisition for
public facilities, park acquisition and development, rehabilitation of private
and rental housing units, loans to private businesses for new location or
expansion of existing facilities, etc. Grants vary from 100''% to 50Y matched by
50% local money. Some programs require that a majority of the benefit goes to
lower income individuals, that a certain number of jobs are created or that a
' particular health or pollution threat is present. Some programs have no such
requirements. -
Recommendation:
1. Investigate various programs and seek assistance in pursuing viable
' programs that offer realistic and necessary assistance.
' INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION
Intergovernmental cooperation between the city of Kalispell and Flathead
County should be encouraged for joint development, operation and maintenance
eof programs and projects that serve both entities. Such cooperation and effort
8-3
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are desired to achieve improved efficiency, better facilities and economical
operation and maintenance.
Recommendation:
Areas to maintain and improve cooperation include:
1. Law enforcement.
2. Park maintenance and development.
3. Libraries and recreational programs.
4. Land use management in the rural Planning Jurisdiction:
a. Conservation of agricultural and timber lands.
b. Floodplain development.
C. Installation, maintenance and upgrading of streets, sewer and
water services, drainage, etc. in the rural Planning Jurisdiction.
d. Coordination of developments in the rural Planning Jurisdiction
with the City -County Master Plan.
CONTINUED PLANNING
The development of a Master Plan is an ongoing and never ending process. The
dynamic nature of planning should not be addressed as an and in itself, but as
a process which is in a constant state of flux. The various recommendations
delineated in this study are based upon prevailing needs or deficiencies and
past trends. As social and economic conditions vary, the needs and desires as
well as the deficiencies of the Kalispell area will vary. Therefore, the Plan
should not be conceived as an end product, but as e, document that would
require periodic review and revision.
Recommendation:
1. The city of Kalispell and the county need to establish an ongoing
program of review and analysis of the plan at least on a bi-yearly basis
to keep the plan updated, in focus and on track.
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STILLWATER DESTINATION RESORT
NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
ADDENDUM
TO
KALISPELL CITY -COUNTY MASTER PLAN
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF KALISPELL
RESOLUTION #4075
SEPTEMBER 8, 1992
ADOPTED BY
AND AN
ADDENDUM
TO
FLATHEAD COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION #790C
SEPTEMBER 9, 1992
FLATHEAD COUNTY MASTER PLAN
ADOPTED
BY
FLATHEAD COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION #789C'
STILLWATER
GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
MASTER PLAN
A Project By: L.H.C. Incorporated
Flathead County , Montana.
Golf Course Designer : ACJ. Newts
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RALISPEbL STILII+TtiA= DESTIM:?"�]'R',
RP
CITY COQNTY IvI�nG�"OGIncaion f PLANNING JURISDICTION IrF,I�Gr
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STILLWATER DESTINATION RESORT
NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
ADDENDUM TO THE KALISPELL CITY -COUNTY
MASTER PLAN
b
FLATHEAD COUNTY MASTER PLAN
GOAL
TO DEVELOP A QUALITY GOLF COURSE COMMUNITY INCORPORATING
CONDOMINIUMS, VILLAS AND SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES, A HOTEL SITE AND
COMPLEMENTARY COMMERCIAL AREAS.
1. POLICY: TO CONSTRUCT A CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSE.
A. OBJECTIVE: To build an architecturally designed,
challenging golf course.
Strategies: The project will start with the
construction of the golf course and
residential development. The golf course
is estimated to occupy approximately 160
acres of the approximate 340 acre project
area.
The golf course will be developed on the
east side of Highway 93 and consist of 18
holes.
The golf facilities will include a driving
range and practice areas for chipping and
putting.
The intended length of the golf course is
approximately 7,000 yards and will offer
multiple tee boxes for championship play.
2. POLICY: TO PROVIDE AN AREA FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT CF A
'
HOTEL AND COMPLEMENTARY COMMERCIAL FACILITIES.
A. OBJECTIVE: To provide a community environment that allows
homeowners to satisfy most neighborhood needs
'
without leaving the community.
B. OBJECTIVE: To provide for the location of commercial
'
facilities near Highway 93.
Strategies: Commercial facilities will be distributed
'
within an area of approximately 50 acres
near Highway 93.
Provide areas for commercial facilities and
'
resort activities that compliment and
comply with the golf community development
philosophy and the Resort B-6 zoning.
'
Examples include, but are not limited to a
hotel and convention center, real estate
sales and management offices, retail
'
services and stores, restaurants and
associated services as are typically
allowed in a County B-6 zone.
'
Commercial facilities, in addition to a
hotel/convention facility, which are
planned for the undesignated commercial
,
portions of the site Plan would typically
be intended to cater substantially to
residents, guests, friends and clientele
and be neighborhood in scale.
C. OBJECTIVE: To provide a common recreation area within the
approximate 50 acre commercial area for
'
homeowners and users fo the golf course
facility.
Strategies: Set aside a portion of the project area to
be used as an activity center for the
homeowners and users of the golf course.
Allow for the development of recreational-
ecreationalfacilities
'
facilitiessuch as tennis courts, swimming
pool, gym, etc.
,
Provide an area for daycare facilitie8 for
users of the recreation facility and golf
course.
'
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D, OBJECTIVE: To provide for a common commercial development
theme.
Strategies: Set aside a common parking area for the
commercial facilities.
Incorporate common walkways throughout the
commercial area to channel pedestrian
movement.
Develop a common landscaping theme for the
commercial area.
Provide for common signage listing
individual businesses rather than
individual freestanding signs.
Access will be limited by two approaches
from Highway 93 as noted in Policy 7.
3
3. POLICY: TO PROMOTE THE USE OF LANDSCAPING AND OPEN SPACE.
A. OBJECTIVE: To provide an aesthetically pleasing
environment. '
Strategies: Develop the golf course to occupy
approximately 160 acres of the total
approximately 340 acre project. '
Allow for green belt areas within the
cluster homesite areas as indicated in '
light green on the plan.
Landscape the perimeter and not less than '
5% of the interior of the parking lot.
Fence and buffer the areas where the golf
course adjoins adjacent properties.
,
Buffering and landscaping will be most
intensive in areas of existing development
to maintain the community atmosphere
separate from adjoining uses.
'
Require green belt buffer zones where
homesites meet adjacent property
'
boundaries.
Landscaped islands may be utilized at
roadway intersections throughout the
'
residential portions of the property.
Use signage that is low profile (less than
'
20 feet in height).;
Provide for street and parking lot lighting
'
that is architecturally designed and low
profile.
Provide an appropriate landscape buffer of
,
at least 50 feet along Whitefish Stage Road
where the project abuts this county road,
so as to aesthetically screen the project
'
and create a greater degree of seclusion
and privacy for the residents.
S
B. OBJECTIVE: To provide a buffer between Highway 93 and the
commercial areas.
Strategies: Landscape the 100' wide buffer with Highway ,
93. The buffer will separate the highway
and the commercial areas.
Landscape the approaches off Highway 93 and
construct landscaped medians in the
approaches. ,
4
' 4. POLICY: TO PROVIDE AREAS FOR RESIDENTIAL USE.
A. OBJECTIVE: To develop areas for condominiums, golf villas
' and single family residences.
Strategies: Develop single family residential lots as
' noted in the yellow coded areas on the plan
up to approximately 218 lots with minimum
lot sizes of 7,000 square feet.
' Develop golf villa sites as noted in the
light brown area on the plan up to
approximately 154 villas. A golf villa is
' a duplex with individually titled sides.
Provide an area for the construction of
townhouses and/or condominiums as noted in
' the dark brown coded area on the plan of
approximately 28 units.
' The density and lot sizes will be
determined based on the zoning, subdivision
review and conditional use permit for
cluster development on the condominiums.
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5.
FOL ICY:TO INCORPPORATE A COMMON ARCHITECTURAL SCHEME FOk ALL
'
COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL USES.
A. OBJECTIVE: To
develop residential covenants.
'
Strategies:
A set of covenants governing the
construction and use of residential
premises will be established to insure that
'
all construction will enhance and not
interfere with the project design.
At the time of Subdivision Review,
'
covenants will be reviewed and approved by
the County Commissioners.
'
A Homeowner's Association will be formed to
eventually monitor the residential
covenants that will be established.
,
The golf villas, condominiums and common
areas will be architecturally designed with
complimenting color schemes with other
'
units and the surroundings.
Impose height limitations of two stories so
'
that structures w=11 not interfere with the
overall project design.
'
Impose single family residence, villa and
condominium lot coverage limits to mamimize
open space between dwellings.
,
B. OBJECTIVE: To
develop commercial design standards.
Strategies:
Architectural drawings on proposed
,
commercial construction will be reviewed
and approved by an Architectural Review
Committee appointed by the Developer prior
to constructing the facilities within the
'
project boundaries.
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6. FOL ICY: TO _F.OMOTE A GOLF COMMUNITY THEME BY THE REGULATION OF
LAND USES.
A. OBJECTIVE: To request a B-6 Resourt Business Zoning for all
commercial areas.
B. OBJECTIVE: To request a RA -1 zone for the remainder of the
property.
Strategies: Separate zoning is requested as noted above
to allow for the distinction of residential
and commercial locations within the project
boundaries. See the plan for the locations
of the commercial and residential areas.
C. OBJECTIVE: To encourage compatible uses within the zones
requested above.
Strategies: The zones requested contain potential uses
that could occur within this zoning. See
Policy 2 for an example of several
possibilities of commercial uses.
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7. POLICY: TO PROVIDE FOR AN INTERNAL ROAD SYSTEM AS NECESSARY TO '
CONTROL TRAFFIC WITHIN THE PROJECT AND ACCESS TO
HIGHWAY 93 AND WHITEFISH STAGE ROAD.
A. OBJECTIVE: To limit points of access to the commercial and '
the residential areas of the project.
Strategies: The commercial areas and the golf course
clubhouse will be accessed off Highway 93.
'
Access from Highway 93 will be limited to
two access roads with each having 100 feet
'
of right of way width. The intended
pavement width is 24 feet each side of the
median.
'
Security gates will be placed at the west
roadway border of the project where the
residential lots begin, and at the two
,
access points from Whitefish Stage Road.
This would allow for access only by the .
homeowners into the residential area of the
'
project. Allowances for turn around will
be provided at the entrances to the
security gates.
,
The collector roads will narrow to an 80
foot right of way past the security gates
with an intended pavement width of 36 feet.
'
Landscaped islands may be utilized at
residential roadway intersections for the
purpose of controlling traffic speed and
'
improving the visual appeal of the road
system.
'
Residential areas will use common roadways
and not have private driveway access to
Whitefish Stage Road. Access to Whitefish
t
State Road will be limited to two access
points -- both security gate controlled.
The residential portion of the project will
'
be developed in phases. The development
will begin on the west side of the project
boundaries, with final phases of
'
development occurring on the east side.
Development from west to east is intended
to channel traffic to Highway 93.
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Proper-�v adjoining Whitefish Stage Road
will he dedicated (20 feet) to accommodate
the future widening of the Road.
B. OBJECTIVE: To provide private roads built to City
Standards.
Strategies: Roads and right of ways within the project
will be surfaced, maintained and built
according to or exceeding the Kalispell
City Standards.
Provide for guest parking through
architectural control guidelines.
An off-street pedestrian access and travel
plan will be designed and approved at the
subdivision level.
As part of a phase one approval, an all
weather designed and maintained emergency
access road shall be approved by the
District Fire Chief and constructed by the
developer, which extends from phase one
across to Whitefish Stage Road. Said road
will be intended to be used only for
emergency vehicle access and will he so
signed and regulated.
At the time that any developed lots are
approved east of the east -west mid or half
section line of Sections 19 and 30, a
street capable of handling two lanes of
traffic shall be extended on through to
access Whitefish Stage Road.
At the time the development does access
Whitefish Stage Road, improvements shall be
required to accommodate the increased
levels of traffic with each additional
phase. Improvements shall be limited to
work within the existing right of way at
the access points where the project streets
intersect Whitefish Stage.
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8. POLICY: TO PROVIDE FOR PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICES.
A. OBJECTIVE: To provide for public sewer services.
Strategies: Develop an onsite engineered sewer system
for the first phases of the project to
handle up to 200 users. (NOTE: A single
user equates to 220 gallons/day. 200 users
equates to 44,000 gallons/day.) The system
would be a sewage collection system with
central treatment and drainfield disposal.
When use exceeds 200 users or disposal
capacity is reached, connection to the City
of Kalispell sewage collection system would
occur.
Upon the receipt of Kalispell Municipal
Sewer, the developer will sign a petition
of annexation to the City of Kalispell and
consent to withdraw from the Rural Fire
District. Such petition will be noted on
the plat of any future subdivision. The
developer will bear initial cost of
extending sewer to the closest existing
Kalispell sewer main.
The developer would enter into a
developer's extension agreement with the
City of Kalispell as a means of recouping
some of the initial expense of said main
extension.
B. OBJECTIVE: To provide domestic water supplies via
development of a public onsite water system to
City of Kalispell standards or by connection to
the public water supply systems of the City of
Kalispell or to the Evergreen Water and Sewer
District.
Strategies: The City of Kalispell shall receive the
right of first refusal to provide the
domestic water supply provided that the
price is not in excess of other viable
alternatives.
The developer would enter into a
developer's extension agreement (if an
onsite system is not developed) with the
public water purveyor as a means of
recouping some of the initial expense of
said main extension.
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C. OBJECTIVE: To utilize private facilities for irrigation of
the golf --curse.
Strategies: The developer's water richts will be
exercised appurtenant to the Stillwater
River for irrigation.
9. POLICY: TO PROVIDE POLICE ;,ND FIRE PROTECTION WITH THE PROPER
AUTHORITIES.
A. OBJECTIVE: To provide access to the project to facilitate
police and fire protection.
Strategies: Provisions for access into the security
gated areas of the development would be
made with the proper authorities.
The right of way width and road cul de sacs
are of sufficient size to facilitate fire
and police access.
The Fire District will be taken into
consideration when buildings are designed.
Hydrants and mains are to meet Kalispell
standards and General Provisions for Design
and Construction.
Install temporary cul de sacs at all dead
end road ways during the phasing of the
project development to facilitate fire and
emergency traffic flow.
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JIGHWAY 93 SOUTH NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
AN AMENDMENT TO
THE KALISPELL CITY -COUNTY MASTER PLAN
o
Lghway 93 Landowners
CITY OF KALISPELL
RESOLUTION NO. 4099
JUNE 7,1993
FLATHEAD COUNTY
RESOLUTION NO. 939A
MAY 18, 1993
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AN AMENDMENT TO
THE KALISPELL CITY -COUNTY MASTER PLAN
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IA COMMUNITY CONCENSUS PLAN
PREPARED IN COOPERATION WITH
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(PRESENTED TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
1 AS A LANDOWNER ALTERNATIVE
Tn THF PRnPn�Fn i nwFA-ofn;= 7nnnnin. mo-rnirr
TUCM,AY 93 5CLrnl
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NES6iBORK PLM MAP
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' HWY 93 SOUTH NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
AN AMENDMENT TO THE KALISPELL CITY -COUNTY MASTER PLAN
' The purpose of the HWY 93 SOUTH NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN is to
provide an
updated planning analysis for a specific area within the planning
jurisdiction of the Kalispell City -County Master Plan. This
additional information will be used to update the Master Plan and
thereby provide a basis for a Plan amendment and for subsequent
' implementing regulations.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF PANNING AREA
LOCATION
The area considered by the Neighborhood Plan (hereinafter referred
to as the plan area) is described as including all land parcels
situated along or in the vicinity of US Hwy 93 South between the
Four Corners area and Ashley Creek. More specifically, the area is
described as follows:
SEkNEh of S29, T28N, R21W, P.H.M., Flathead County;
SEk of S29, T28N, R21W, P.M.M., Flathead County;
' That portion of the NEk of S32, T28N, R21W, P.M.M., Flathead
County lying easterly of the Burlingtbn Northern Railway
tracks;
SWNNWk of S28, T28N, R21W, P.M.M., Flathead County;
t W#SWh of S28, T28N, R21W, P.M.M., Flathead County; and
That portion of the WkWh of S33, T28N, R21W, P.M.M., Flathead
County lying northerly of Ashley Creek.
' NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER
' All but a few of the
Neighborhood properties
are highway -oriented,
having primary access
from U.S. Highway 93.
The highway frontage
' length is approximately
1.25 miles. Forty-one ±
tracts of land are
included in the plan
area with approximately
27 separate land owners.
Parcels tend to be
' large, generally more
than 5 acres in size.
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MPC Hwy 93 South Neighborhood Plan
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BASIS FOR PLAN AMENDMENT '
The Kalispell City -County Master Plan is a policy document that
offers general guidance for development in and around the city of
Kalispell. The Neighborhood Plan concept has been recently used to
offer more specific land use guidance to particular areas within
the city -county jurisdiction. The Neighborhood Plan provides the '
basis and rationale for an amendment to the Master Plan.
AREA IN TRANSITION
The subject plan area is one of the last remaining areas within the
City -county jurisdiction to be zoned. Since zoning is the primary
means of implementing the Master Plan, this area has been left ,
unguided and, as a result, has been on the receiving end of a
variety of. land uses. The NEIGHBORHOOD .CHARACTER discussion
demonstrates the extent of non-agricultural uses in the area.
MPC Hwy 93 South Neighborhood Plan 2
The plan area is developing in the absence of any land use
regulations that might otherwise guide the best use of the
'
properties. As a result, the area is in transition, exhibiting a
mixture of uses. A common development theme is obviously absent.
Existing uses range from vacant land to large implement dealerships
'
and more specifically include the following:
Four Corners Lounge;
♦ Residential dwellings;
♦ County museum;
'
♦ Montana Log Homes;
♦ Treweek commercial building containing Crown Portraits,
Chief Metal Buildings, Farm Credit Services, and Treweek
'
Construction;
♦ Treweek mini -storage;
• Fort Selish including The Patchbox and The Museum of the
Great Divide;
♦ Second Hand Store;
♦ Ashley Creek Animal Clinic;
Ken's Backhoe Service;
,
♦ Haul Mark Trailer Sales;
♦ Northwestern Truss & Wood Products;
♦ JBM Precision Machinery;
KGEZ Radio 600;
♦ Snowline Tree Company;
♦ Montana Tractor; and
♦ Triple -W -Equipment.
,
Farming is generally limited in the area to pasture or grass hay.
No cereal crops are grown in the plan area. Environmental
e
constraints to development, such as flooding and severe topography,
are largely absent. The shallow depth to groundwater in portions
of the plan area is a constraint to development of small lots.
'
Municipal water and sewer services are not readily available.
BASIS FOR PLAN AMENDMENT '
The Kalispell City -County Master Plan is a policy document that
offers general guidance for development in and around the city of
Kalispell. The Neighborhood Plan concept has been recently used to
offer more specific land use guidance to particular areas within
the city -county jurisdiction. The Neighborhood Plan provides the '
basis and rationale for an amendment to the Master Plan.
AREA IN TRANSITION
The subject plan area is one of the last remaining areas within the
City -county jurisdiction to be zoned. Since zoning is the primary
means of implementing the Master Plan, this area has been left ,
unguided and, as a result, has been on the receiving end of a
variety of. land uses. The NEIGHBORHOOD .CHARACTER discussion
demonstrates the extent of non-agricultural uses in the area.
MPC Hwy 93 South Neighborhood Plan 2
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' Agricultural uses have been replaced by commercial and industrial
uses. Undeveloped land generally remains idle and unproductive.
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The transitional nature
of the plan area (creat-
ed by the lack of plan
implementation) is fur-
ther confounded by the
adjoining land use
designations to the
north and south. Imme-
diately adjoining the
plan area to .the south
is a Heavy Industrial
land use designation.
To the north, are Com-
mercial and Light
Industrial land use des-
ignations. In between
these two industrial and
commercial designations
lies the property that is subject to this Neighborhood Plan. The
Master Plan designation for this "in-between" land along the
highway corridor is Agriculture despitethe general preponderance
of nonagricultural uses and poor agricultural soils. Passive farm
operations are now occurring on only 4 landowner properties in the
plan area. The word, "passive", is used since the scale of farming
is limited to grazing and the cutting of grass for hay.
SOIL SUITABILITY FOR AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
Soils in the plan area are generally marginal for farming purposes.
Few "prime" soils (Capability I-IV) extend to the highway frontage.
The State (Dept. of Transportation) Environmental Assessment of the
' Somers -Kalispell highway project concluded that prime farmland
scored a minimum level of consideration due to the poor soil
conditions along the proposed highway corridor. The extent of the
so-called prime soils is so limited Jn shape, area, and location
that it would be a stretch of the imagination to conclude that the
area should be reserved for agricultural production.
On the east side of the highway, most of the soils are Capability
V or less and include:
♦ Saline -alkali land (Sa);
' ♦ Kalispell loam (Kt);
♦ Birch gravelly loam (Bd);
♦ Demers -Kalispell silt loam (Da); and
' ♦ Demers -Kalispell silt loam (Db).
The better soils on the east side of the highway are far less
extensive than the marginal soils. Kalispell -Demers silt loams
(Kw) and Corvallis silty clay loam (Cd) occur in the developed
MPC Hwy 93 South Neighborhood Plan 3
areas of Snowline Tree Company, JBH Precision Machining, and
Northwestern Truss & Wood Products and, therefor, are unavailable
for production.
The west side of the highway appears to have more occurrences of
"prime" soils but these soils have frequent intrusions
capability soils such as Da, Sa, Db, and Kt of low
(see above for name
description). The better soils are from the Kalispell series but
these soils at this location in the valley, according
Survey (Series 1946, No. 4)to the Soil
, tend to be affected by "free" salts
and sand in the lower part of the subsoil, which affect the soil's
productivity potential.
LAND USE SUITABILITY
As discussed above, there is no basis
farmland given the poor soil conditions
uses. The majority of 'those' other
classified as "industrial". Exceptions
Second Hand Store, and a few others. 1
are absent at this time.
for reserving this area for
and intrusion of other land
land uses can generally be
would be the radio station,
arge retail commercial uses
Public water and sewer extensions to the area do not appear to be
feasible at this time. For this reason, larger parcels are likely
to be the trend. Highway access does not appear to be a limitation
to the development of larger parcels where new approaches can be
somewhat limited.
The land uses approp-
riate to this area are
those that would gen-
erally require large
open display or work
areas with infrequent
customer visits. Large
retail sales businesses
are more appropriately
located closer to the
urban centers. Ware-
housing, implement
dealers, and small man-
ufacturing businesses
are examples of uses
that would benefit from
both the highway front-
age and -large lots.
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These type of uses are generally limited to an industrial -type ,
zoning .classification. A review of the Kalispell City -County
Master Plan indicates a relative scarcity of lands set-aside for
MPC Hwy 93 South Neighborhood Plan
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light industrial uses. The official map of the Master plan
' indicates light industrial designations in 4 locations which
include:
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1. Intersection of Reserve and LaSalle
2. SE intersection of Reserve and Hwy 93
3. Area north of Cemetery Road
4. Narrow band along Center Street in Kalispell
All or portions of these designated areas are generally unavailable
for new development. The Center Street area is already "occupied"
by uses and the City redevelopment plans are encouraging the
removal of train service within the city limits. The Reserve and
Hwy 93 location is occupied by gravel operations. Much of the
remaining industrial area near LaSalle and Reserve is being
developed at this time for a new electric utility office and
warehouse. Most of the property north of Cemetery Road is not
zoned for industrial uses at this time. It appears that
industrial -type uses are selecting the Hwy 93 South properties due,
in part, to the relative unavailability of industrial zoned
properties within the jurisdiction of the Kalispell City -County
Master Plan.
The deep lots, together
with the large size of
the land parcels, offer
unique opportunities to
wisely plan for this
particular highway cor-
ridor. Strategies can
be developed to promote
a development theme that
discourages strip devel-
opment and encourages
land uses that are
compatible to the area.
Interior roads should be
encouraged to limit ac-
cess onto the highway
while at the same time
maximizing opportunities
for full utilization of
the deep lots. Refer to exhibit A for
subsivision that would orient land uses
minimize the "strip" effect by allowing
deeper lots.
a hypothetical layout of a
away from the highway and
fuller development of the
It would seem appropriate to blend the Heavy Industrial designation
' to the south with the Light Industrial designation to the north.
This can be accomplished by establishing an industrial Performance-
based zone for the "in-between" property.
' MPC Hwy 93 South Neighborhood Plan
5
GOALS AND POLICIES '
The recommended goals and policies for the Hwy 93 South
Neighborhood Plan have been developed to reflect the qualities and
characteristics of this specific highway corridor and are not ,
intended to be broadly interpreted or applied to other highway
segments in the valley.
GOAL 1
'
TO PROMOTE LAND USES COMPATIBLE TO THE AREA
The area should be designated and appropriately regulated for
those uses that typically require large land parcels for open
'
display and/or storage, uses which do not require public water
or
sewer facilities, and uses that generate or attract low volumes of
traffic.
'
Policies
A. All existing uses may continue and expand. as permitted
uses. However, if an existing use does not comply with the
,
definition of "light Industrial" as defined by this plan
or an underlying zoning ordinance, at the time any use is
abandoned or willfully changed to another permitted use,
'
the pre-existing use will no longer be considered
permitted use. a
B. Commercial retail businesses shall be,discouraged.
C. Uses in support of the agricultural, animal husbandry, or
timber industry shall be encouraged.
D. Uses requiring yard storage, outside display, or ware-
housing are encouraged.
GOAL 2
TO ESTABLISH DEVELOPMENT PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
This goal emphasizes the desire to avoid strip development along
the highway by establishing performance based standards for all new
development.
Policies
A. All new uses shall adhere to strict development standards.
-substantial setbacks from the highway for properties that '
gain direct access to/from the Highway;
-landscaping along the highway corridor and screening when
adjacent to a noncommercial or industrial district;
-controlled access with interior road frontage whenever ,
possible;
-large minimum lot sizes;
-paved roads; and '
-limitations on the size, height, & number of signs.
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MPC Hwy 93 South Neighborhood Plan 6
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' B. Existing uses shall be permitted to expand and, when
withldevelopment standards for newble, the expansion area lusesbsespecialantialll comply
areas of: y in the
-landscaping and screening,
'
*controlled access;
,paved roads; and
-limitations on signage.
C. Preferred lot sizes shall be no less than 1 acre and
generally no more than 5 acres.
D. Deep linear interior roads that extend perpendicular from
' the Highway are preferable over parallel frontage roads.
all be Typicipaically an
oricoordinat d whenever nterior road na lot is creatpedrovide
' does not extend the full depth of the zoning district
leaving inaccessible land behind it.
E. Deep lots shall be encouraged to facilitate the extension
of interior roads that will help to orientate the
businesses away from the highway and thereby allow more
efficient utilization of the lots and avoid the appearance
of "stripe development.
F. Access points from the highway should be limited
minimum spacing of 650 to 1000 feet. to a
GOAL 3
TO IMPLEMENT PERFORMANCE BASED ZONING FOR THE
AREA DESCRIBED
THIS NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN BY AMENDING THE FLATHEAD COMPREHENSIVEY
ZONING REGULATIONS.
features of
this plan area anose of d to establish new regulations oal is to recognize
gula ions that can Properly
' apply performance-based zoning to the area.
Policies
' A. The plan area shall be zoned Light Industrial (I-1) with
a concurrent application of an Overlay Zone that will be
necessary to apply the performance standards.
B. Administrative permits shall be issued by the Flathead
Regional Development Office for all new and expanding uses.
The appeal process shall rest with the Flathead Count
' Board of Adjustment. y
C. The zone shall provide development incentives related
lot size and subdivision design, to
such as those anticipated
by Policies BC, D, & E of GOAL 2, to encourage maximum
i
' cooperation n the application of the established
performance standards .
D. General development schemes for the plan area, which would
' include the locations of new highway approaches, should be
identified by the land owners prior to the enactment of the
' MPC Hwy 93 South Neighborhood Plan
7
performance based zoning and be incorporated as an exhibit
in the adopting resolution.
MPC Hwy 93 South Neighborhood Plan
8
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NORTH MERIDIAN NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
AN AMENDMENT TO THE KALISPELL CITY -COUNTY MASTER PLAN
ADOPTED BY
City Council
City of Kalispell
Resolution No. 4189
December 5, 1994
Flathead County
Board of Commissioners
Resolution No. 1055A
December 19, 1994
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North Meridian Neighborhood Plan . Page 1
NORTH MERIDIAN NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN
AN AMENDMENT TO THE KALISPELL CITY/COUNTY MASTER PLAN
INTRODUCTION
This document is an amendment to the adopted Kalispell City/County Master Plan. As an
amendment, it serves as a supplement to the Goals, Objectives, Policies, and Map contained
in the overall Master Plan. The North Meridian Neighborhood Plan will serve as a guide for
the most appropriate action to take when a request for a change in zoning or major
development is proposed for the area. In addition, it looks at the needs of the
neighborhood regarding infra -structure, such as roads, pedestrian access, water, sewer, and
storm drainage and sets general policies towards supplying those services.
The North Meridian Neighborhood Plan covers an area bounded by US Highway 2 on the
south; US Highway 93 and Wedgewood Lane on the north; 7th Avenue WN on the east; and
Hawthorne Avenue and Northern Lights Boulevard on the west. The area contains
approximately 314 acres within the City limits of Kalispell.
There are many reasons to look at this area for a change to the Master Plan. The land
immediately adjacent to Meridian Road generally has a haphazard organization to its zoning
and land use pattern. This situation makes it difficult for property owners to predict what
will happen regarding land use in their neighborhood. The amount of automobile and
truck traffic has made it dangerous for pedestrians and vehicles. A transportation plan for
Kalispell has been adopted indicating North Meridian Road be upgraded to a three and four
lane road. The possibility of the fairgrounds relocating has been discussed and what will
happen to the property if it does relocate. These reasons and the many inquiries for
rezoning and changes in land use have indicated the need to address the existing Master
Plan for the area and create a more cohesive and consistent neighborhood plan. This Plan
allows the residents and property owners to know what to expect in the area and that the
Plan can be followed.
Page 2 - North Meridian Neighborhood Plan
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' North Meridian Neighborhood Plan - Page 3
' BACKGROUND DATA
' The initial step was to gather basic information concerning the existing conditions of the
area. The method by which the information was gathered included: the study of the
infrastructure maps provided by the City; field work; and the use of aerial photographs.
' This included information on land use, master plan, water, sewer, roads, and pedestrian
access.
' Land Use:
The following information is a comparison of the acreage of existing land use to existing
' Master plan designation.
M.PLAN LAND EXISTING EXISTING
DESIG- USE LAND USE MASTER
' NATION TYPE ACRES PLAN ACRES
UR Single-family 54 46
HDR Multi -family 16 49
COM Commercial 35 63
' IND Industrial 21 0
PUB Public/Park 97 97
TRANSITION '59
vacant 53
' Streets ' 38
TOTAL ACRES 314 314
Date 3-94 source FROO
Storm sewer:
1 Two 24 inch storm sewers exist at the south end of the study area. One is located in
Meridian Road and extends north as far as Husky Street and the other in Kinnshella Avenue
' to just north of Husky Street. All drainage flows generallyfrom north to south using mainly
the streets.
Sanitary sewer:
The City supplies sewer to most of the Plan area. An 18 inch sewer main at the southern
end of Meridian Road tapers to an 8 inch main at the north end. All sewage is treated by
the City sewerage treatment plant south of town. Smaller sewer mains; 6, 8, and 12 inch
lines, service the developments as you move away from Meridian Road. A 12 inch line exists
In Liberty Street to Hawthorne Avenue north to Three Mile Drive to Northern Lights
' Boulevard. Most of the rest of the area is served by 8 inch lines. Three smaller areas
generally do not have immediate access to sewer mains. These three areas include the
property: north of Three Mile Drive between Northwest Lane and Meridian Road; north of
West Wyoming Street to Colorado Street from Meridian road to 7th Avenue WN extended;
and the area north of the Underhill Subdivision. Development or redevelopment of the
Page 4 - North Meridian Neighborhood Plan ,
Plan area is entirely dependant on the availability of sewer service. It is possible to serve ,
each of these areas, however, current city policy dictates that such extension would be at
the request of the property served and fully paid for the property requesting service. ,
Water:
Water is also supplied by the city to most of the area. A 16 inch water main enters the '
study area from the northeast and runs under Meridian Road from Three Mile Drive south
across Idaho Street and out of the study area. Feeder mains range in size from 4, 6, 8, and ,
12 inches. Two additional lines feed this area from the north. A 6 inch line comes down
Northern Lights Boulevard, and an 8 inch line feeds Wedgewood Road, Parkway Drive, and
the northern end of Meridian road. These two northern service lines are not looped into
the main water lines feeding the southern three quarters of the study area. The largest '
area not served by city water in this area is located north of Three Mile Drive between
Northwest Lane and Meridian Road.
streets: '
The road system/pattern is well established since most of the land has been developed. The
neighborhood is bordered by US Highway 2 (Idaho Street) on the south, and US Highway 93
on the north. Two minor arterials are included in the area, they are Meridian Road and
Three Mile Drive. One collector street is in the Plan area and that is Two Mile Drive. All
other roads in the Plan area are considered local roads. The roads in the Plan area are '
paved with two travel lanes, one in each direction.
This neighborhood in one sense is well served by the major street system. However, there
are several concerns. For example Meridian Road is extremely undersized for the traffic
volumes it handles. In the Kalispell Area Transportation Plan, the 1991 traffic counts showed
10,130 vehicles per day and the year 2000 projection is for 12,100 vehicles per day. The
transportation Plan recommends that Meridian Road be upgraded to a 4 lane road from ,
Idaho Street to Three Mile Drive and 3 lanes from there to Highway 93. As it is now and
with this upgrade it is and will be more difficult for traffic to enter and exit properties.
In addition, Two Mile Drive is very congested and is projected to carry even more traffic as '
new developments are approved. There is also no adequate north -south link for Two Mile
Drive, and lacks a good flow across Meridian Road to the east. '
Pedestrian Access:
There is no effective system of pedestrian walkways or bicycle trails in the area. For the ,
most part individuals will use the roads. A school crossing guard is provided for on
Meridian Road at Liberty Street for children going to and from Russell School. Russell School
is located on west Wyoming Street just west of US Highway 93. Sidewalks are located on '
the north side of Liberty street; there are no other sidewalks in the neighborhood. This
situation forces the very young or old to use the streets which are very congested.
PLAN DEVELOPMENT
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North Meridian Neighborhood Plan - Page 5
' Through a series of neighborhood meetings, conversations with property owners and City
staff, a more uniform development pattern for growth was developed. In November, 1993
the first neighborhood public meeting was held for the North Meridian Neighborhood Plan
at the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Office on North Meridian Road. At this meeting issues were
' identified and information was gathered that served as the starting point for the Plan. In
addition, maps were displayed indicating existing land use, existing zoning, the existing
Master Plan, and existing infrastructure.
' A second meeting was held atthe same location in January, 1994. At this meeting additional
information was gathered relative to land use and the issues that are prevalent in the area.
' A preliminary land use map and a transportation map were displayed and discussed.
Presentations to the City Council and County Commissioners kept them informed and gave
them an opportunity for input during the process. In addition to these meetings, City staff,
including: the City Manager; the Police and Fire Chiefs; the Public Works, Parks, and
Community Development Departments, were involved and made comments and
suggestions.
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North Meridian Neighborhood Plan - Page 7
' ISSUES
Out of the neighborhood meetings, meetings with staff, and meetings with the Kalispell
City -County Planning Board, issues were refined. Those issues were identified as follows:
the incompatibility of land uses and zoning in the area;
' the need for a plan that would be followed;
' the uncertainty about the future of the fairgrounds, if it leaves what will the
property be used for;
the lack of safety for bicycles and pedestrians, especially children;
the increased volume of traffic and the safety and interaction of cars and
trucks;
' the lack of City services in some parts of the neighborhood.
The land use issue is perhaps the most visible. With the land uses ranging from industrial
' uses, to commercial, to multi -family, to single family, to mobile homes, to the fairgrounds
it is relatively easy to see why the noise, dust, traffic, and uncertainty of what is happening
can be an issue. The feeling that property owners are helpless in the process of
' maintaining a cohesive plan for the future came out very strongly at these meetings. It
appears this stems from the lack of input to the land use decisions in the past.
The Fairgrounds issue is, on the surface, very simple, should it stay or should it move and
while the immediate impact of the fairgrounds is on this area it can be much farther
reaching. out of the public meetings their was no clear consensus as to whether or not the
fairgrounds should move. If it stays upgrades and expansion could be expensive and
' difficult given the age of the buildings and infra -structure, limited area, and parking
requirements of some of the activities that occur on the property. If it moves, where
would it move to and then what would be the activity on the existing site? The question
of where it would move to is beyond the scope of this plan since it would relocate out of
this planning area. What should the property be used for if the fairgrounds were to move
was discussed with a general consensus that it should be used for a variety of uses,
Including; commercial, residential, and parks.
Pedestrian safety appeared to be the most pressing issue. With the existing traffic volumes;
road conditions; the upgrade of North Meridian Road; no sidewalks or safe place off the
road to walk; and only one place that has a crossing guard for school children, safety was
a repeated concern. Truck traffic and speeding cars was also brought up as a safety
concern. Construction of Alternate US Highway 93, additional traffic control devises, police
' to enforce speed limits, and crossing guards were felt needed because of inadequate
control of traffic.
The area north of Three Mile Drive between Northwest Lane and Meridian does not
' currently have City services such as water and sewer; in addition, this area takes direct
Page 8 - North Meridian Neighborhood Plan
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vehicular access from Meridian Road on the hill. The majority of individuals owning ,
property in this area indicated their desire to see those services installed. Any new
development in this area would be required to hookup to those services. The problem '
facing this area revolves around the expense of infrastructure; because a developer is
required to install the main line extensions, it becomes cost prohibitive unless the project
is of sufficient scale and intensity to absorb the cost. To alleviate some of the inherent '
traffic problems associated with driveways, an alternative access arrangement should be
provided for.
There is essentially no storm sewer system servicing the Plan area. While major flooding ,
does not appear to be a widespread problem and no floodplain exists in the area, isolated
occurrences of flooding have caused short term problems.
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North Meridian Neighborhood Plan - Page 9
' THE PLAN
1
This Plan, the issues, goals, policies, and maps include six (6) categories of land use along
with policies to help resolve the issues. These land use categories include Urban Residential
(2-8 dwelling units per acre), High Density Residential (8-40 dwelling units per acre),
Commercial, Neighborhood/Buffer Commercial, Multi -use, Public and Park. Two (2)
' categories that exist in this document are new, those are; the Neighborhood Commercial
and Multi -use categories.
' The following information is a comparison of the acreage of existing land use to existing
Master plan designation to the proposed Neighborhood Plan.
' M.PLAN LAND EXISTING EXISTING PROPOSED
DESIC, USE LAND USE MASTER MASTER
NATION TYPE ACRES PLAN PLAN
UR SFR 54 46 33
HDR Multi -family 16 49 85
COM Lt. Commercial 3 0 9
COM Commercial 32 63 52
' IND Industrial 21 0 0
PUB Public/Park 97 97 43
Vacant 53 —
' MULTIUSE -- — — 54
TRANSITION *59 *38
Streets *38
' TOTAL ACRES 314 314 314
Date 3-94, source FRDO
NOTE: The acreage for the transition areas and the streets will not
correspond with each column because the Existing Master Plan
has large "transition areas" and the Proposed plan does not. In
' addition, any proposed streets are of unknown configuration
and precise location so no calculation was assumed.
Land use:
This Plan is an amendment to the existing Master Plan and utilizes the existing plan for any
' information not contained in this amendment. Therefore, the Kalispell City -County Master
Plan document should be referred to for information on such categories as Urban
Residential, High Density Residential, Commercial, Public and Park.
' Neighborhood/Buffer Commercial
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Page 10 - North Meridian Neighborhood Plan ,
The Neighborhood/Buffer Commercial land use category is intended to be compatible with '
the lowest of intensity characteristics included in the B-1 zoning district. This will help to ,
facilitate the compatibility between the roads, residential uses, and non-residential uses.
Multi -use
The Multi -use category has been selected for the Fairgrounds property because of its size, '
location, and concerns of the public. The property being primarily on the northeast corner
of Meridian Road and US Highway 2 makes it a prime location for a combination of '
commercial, residential, and open space uses. In discussions with staff it is felt that a ratio
of 60% commercial, 30% residential, and 10% park/open space is an economically viable
ratio of land uses. '
The Multi -use commercial development should occur along Meridian Road and Highway 2,
and primarily west of the extension of Two Mile Drive. This 60% would dedicate a
maximum of approximately 32 Acres to commercial development prior to road dedication. ,
The commercial development that is envisioned would be an anchor store with support
retail on one or more pads.
The 30% residential would allow approximately 16 acres of residential development. This ,
residential development could be attached single family or apartment type of dwellings to
buffer the commercial development from the single family development to the east.
Park land development would be exclusive of roads, building setbacks, or other open space 1
requirements of development. This 10% would equate to approximately 5 acres of
improved park for use by the general public. It is not intended for the exclusive use of the ,
residential development and should be in addition to any required by subdivision.
streets: '
The extension of 7th Avenue WN from Wyoming Street to Colorado Street should be
considered when the property to the north is considered for development. This extension
would facilitate the north -south movement of traffic without significantly impacting the ,
residential character of the area.
The three major roads that influence the Plan area include Meridian Road, Three Mile Drive, '
and Two Mile Drive. Meridian Road has been designated to be upgraded to a four lane,
minor arterial road from US Highway 2 to Three Mile Drive and north from there as a three
lane arterial. Three Mile Drive is designated as a minor arterial currently constructed for '
two lanes of traffic and does not stop as it turns southbound on Meridian Road. The
reconstruction of the intersection of Three Mile and Meridian would include a 'T" type
intersection and should include a three way stop.
An extension of Two Mile Drive has been proposed to cross the Fairgrounds property and '
connect to Washington Street. The specific location would be determined by the type and
location of commercial and residential activity that would occur on the fairgrounds '
property should the County Fairgrounds move. A connection from Meridian Road to US
Highway 93 was perceived as an advantage to the movement of east -west traffic through
the area. Washington Street seems to be the logical connection for a number of reasons.
First Is that it connects to Whitefish Stage Road; second, that it is the road that backs up '
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North Meridian Neighborhood Plan - Page 11
against the commercial strip along Idaho Street; and third, that it might reduce the amount
of traffic on Wyoming Street. Wyoming Street had been originally looked at for the
connection due the traffic light at US Highway 93. Problems arose when one considered
the elementary school (Russell School) in the fact that the play fields are across Wyoming
from the school itself. In addition, Wyoming Street is not a through road past the highway,
it basically terminates into the neighborhood immediately east of Highway 93.
Access to Meridian Road should be limited. There are a number of ways in which this could
be accomplished: combined access driveways; or service roads accessing lots and parcels.
Both of these alternatives act in a similar manor by reducing the access points along a busy
arterial and routing this traffic to control points. This concept already exists in this area,
that is on Parkway Drive where commercial enterprises dependant on Meridian frontage
take access from what amounts to a service road.
All streets and alleys should be paved to City standards to reduce the dust and noise
associated with unimproved roads. A Redevelopment District, or Special Improvements
District, or other funding mechanism should be created to allow money to be used to assist
in these types of improvements.
Iinfrastructure:
While infrastructure such as water, sewer, and storm drains exist in the area these
improvements are discontinuous. The prime areas for development do not contain the
necessary improvements for development. Storm drains, sewer mains and water mains
should be extended into those areas not served by such Improvements. The City should
assist in the construction of those improvements by creating assessment districts, a
redevelopment district, an urban renewal district or the like.
' Pedestrians:
Many school children are required to cross Meridian Road on their way to and from Russell
' School. Currently a school crossing guard exists at Meridians' intersection with Liberty
Street, this is the only controlled crossing on Meridian Road. Additional crossing guards
should be considered for Wyoming Street, Two Mile Drive, and Three Mile Drive. Requiring
vehicles to stop at intersections would facilitate safe crossing for pedestrians.
The area has few sidewalks for pedestrian safety, the City should continue to require
sidewalks for new developments even if they may be discontinuous. This would allow, in
' the future, the connection of those sections of sidewalks impacting fewer of the property
owners at the time sidewalks are ordered in. The City should assist in the construction of
those improvements by creating assessment districts, a redevelopment district, an urban
renewal district or the like.
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North Meridian Neighborhood Plan - Page 13
POLICY SECTION
' The following are the Goal statements and Policies that are incorporated into the Kalispell
City/County Master Plan amendment, as part of the North Meridian Neighborhood Plan.
ISSUE 1:
' The present urbanized land use pattern incorporates a haphazard and incompatible mix of
uses.
' GOAL 1:
To set a pattern of land use that incorporates sensitivity to neighboring uses.
' POLICIES:
1. Create and maintain a land use pattern that is consistent with the North Meridian
' Neighborhood Plan and Plan maps.
2. The areas identified on the Plan Map as Multi -family Residential category along
Meridian Road should encourage a mix of professional office and high density
residential development.
3. Where proposed non-residential, multi -family, and single family uses abut each
' other, encourage the use of extensive landscape buffers.
4. single family homes be developed along Colorado street.
5. Within the Neighborhood/Buffer Commercial designation allow uses that are
compatible with the neighboring residential areas.
' 6. within the Plan area encourage inside storage of materials and conversion of non-
conforming uses to permitted uses.
7. Encourage the City's Community Development Department to develop and adopt
a Redevelopment Plan for the area to facilitate the relocation of uses not
compatible or of high impacts to areas of the City that are more appropriate for
' high impact uses.
8. If the Fairgrounds remain, the Multi -use category would allow the
expansion/modification to the facility.
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Page 14 - North Meridian Neighborhood Plan
g. Within the fairgrounds property utilize a ratio of 60% commercial, 30% residential, '
and 10% for parks, encouraging intensive landscape buffer for the residential
properties. ,
10. The 10% for parks should be exclusive of roads, setbacks, etc. and for the benefit of
the general public and improved as such. '
11. Within the entire plan area encourage uses that promote pedestrian friendly
developments and a sense of place. '
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INorth Meridlan Neighborhood Plan - Page 15
' ISSUE 2:
The interaction of pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles can create dangerous situations.
' GOAL 2:
create a circulation pattern that maintains a separation of incompatible systems.
' POLICIES'
1. Promote sidewalks and boulevards along all streets.
2. Encourage the bicycle routes that are on collector and arterial streets to be separate
from the travel lanes of vehicles. Those streets would be Meridian Road, Three Mile
Drive, and Two Mile Drive.
3. Maintain and encourage additional traffic control features at collector and arterial
' intersections for pedestrian safety. Those intersections are identified on the
Transportation Map. In addition, they are identified as the intersections with North
Meridian Road and: Two Mile Drive, West Wyoming, Liberty Street, and Three Mile
Drive.
1 4. To reduce the potential for pedestrian -vehicle accidents maintain a reduced speed
limit on Meridian Road.
S. Encourage additional crossing guards along Meridian Road at the times children are
going to and from school.
' 6. Encourage parents to volunteer time to become crossing guards.
7. Develop and adopt a Redevelopment Plan for the area that will facilitate the
' construction of a safe circulation pattern.
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Page 16 - North Meridian Neighborhood Plan
ISSUE 3:
As the City grows additional traffic will strain the existing system making it more
dangerous.
GOAL 3:
Create a street system that can accommodate increases in traffic safely.
POLICIES:
1. Promote an extension of Two Mile Drive to connect to 7th Avenue WN. The location
of which would be determined by the development of the fairground property.
2. The extension of 7th Avenue WN may be extended north to Colorado Street.
3. To provide alternate access to the Junior High School, Northwest Lane should be
constructed to the east to connect with Meridian Road.
4. To reduce traffic on Meridian Road, encourage the construction of an alternate
Highway 93 west of town.
5. Encourage the use of combined access easements and service roads for
developments along Meridian Road.
6. Develop and adopt a Redevelopment Plan that facilitates the convenient flow of
residential and commercial traffic.
7. Colorado Street and Arizona Street not be extended west to connect with Meridian
Road
8. Colorado Street be upgraded with a cul-de-sac at its termination.
' North Meridian Neighborhood Plan - Page 17
' ISSUE 4:
1 city services are not yet available to parts of the North Meridian Area.
GOAL 4:
' Provide a full range of services to the area.
i' POLICIES:
1. Adopt a development strategy that promotes the installation of sanitary sewers,
water mains, and storm sewers.
' 2. Promote the retaining of storm water runoff onsite.
' 3. Ensure an adequate water supply for domestic and emergency needs.
4. Maintain a quick response time by emergency service providers.
1 5. Ensure sufficient infrastructure is constructed and maintained for wastewater
treatment.
' 6. Encourage the City to develop and adopt a Redevelopment Plan that facilitates the
extension of a full range of services.
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