10-10-16 City Council Work Session MinutesKALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES
OCTOBER 10, 2016
View the minutes attached to the audio of the meeting at:
http://kalispell.com/mayor and city council/Streaminc-AV.php
A WORK SESSION OF THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MONDAY,
OCTOBER 10, 2016 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL IN KALISPELL,
MONTANA. MAYOR MARK JOHNSON PRESIDED. COUNCIL MEMBERS JIM
ATKINSON, SANDY CARLSON, KARI GABRIEL, CHAD GRAHAM, PHIL GUIFFRIDA,
TIM KLUESNER, ROD KUNTZ, AND WAYNE SAVERUD WERE PRESENT.
Also present: City Manager Doug Russell, City Attorney Charles Harball, Planning Director Tom
Jentz, and Planner II PJ Sorensen.
Mayor Johnson called the work session to order.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Zoning for Short Term Residential Rentals (VRBOs - Vacation Rentals By Owner)
Public Comment
Fred Zavodny, 46 East Nicklaus Drive, commented on the suggestions in the staff memo regarding
VRBOs in the city. He offered additional suggestions to the proposed ordinance language.
Mayre Flowers, Citizens for a Better Flathead, explained the information she sent to council
regarding other communities' experiences with VRBOs.
Erica Wirtala, Northwest Montana Association of Realtors, commented that VRBOs provide
affordable housing options to people and allows landowners to stay in their homes. She remarked
that Kalispell has its own short term rental market, mostly in the summer, and it is difficult for
realtors to advertise the potential for a VRBO when there is no legal zoning in place.
Scott Lester, 611 2nd Avenue West, spoke regarding his VRBO and his thoughts on the proposed
ordinance, stating having a VRBO gives homeowners more options for their houses. He said a tiny
fraction of homes in Kalispell are VRBOs.
Ed Snoeck, 895 East Nicklaus Drive, asked how many police officers are on duty at night and
commented they are stretched thin as it is. He wondered who someone would call if the VRBO
owner was not local. Snoeck concluded his remarks by stating that people should get to choose and
asked council to think about the property owners who will have to live next door to these VRBOs.
Lavone Larson, Village Greens, stated that she understands that VRBOs are not legal now, but the
law is not being enforced and who is profiting off of them? She said these are putting pressure on the
police and fire departments and are being driven by recreation interests.
Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes
October 10, 2016
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Council Discussion
Mayor Johnson opened discussion and asked Jentz to bring council up to speed.
Jentz commented this is the ninth public work session between planning and the council on this
issue. He said planning staff looked at what other jurisdictions are doing; every community is
different and has different needs and rules. In Kalispell, approximately 1/2 of the VRBOs are in
commercial zones and there have been no complaints received this year; they usually average 1-2
complaints a year.
Jentz said staff noted there is a shortage of rental housing in town, but the city is adding
approximately 20 houses a month; VRBOs appeal to a higher rental level and not to entry level
homes.
There was lengthy discussion and Jentz and Harball answered questions.
When asked for clarification regarding Administrative Conditional Use Permits for VRBOs, Jentz
explained that notices would be sent to all property owners within 150 feet of the requesting
property. If those property owners have no issues with a VRBO, the permit would be granted
automatically. However, if there are issues brought forth, then the matter would go before the
Planning Board and ultimately council.
There was discussion regarding the definition of "owner -occupied".
Jentz remarked that zoning looks at the impact of the use on the neighborhood and not the owner of
the property.
Staff was directed to bring the proposed ordinance to a future council meeting and that amendments
will be made then if necessary.
CITY MANAGER/COUNCIL/MAYOR REPORTS
Russell remarked that the next work session will include information from the Montana League of
Cities and Towns convention, including lobbying and legislative priorities.
Mayor Johnson reminded council the next candidate forum will be held on October 12 in City
Council chambers and that he will be out of town for the October 17 meeting.
Mayor Johnson also commented that he appreciates all of the input from the public on this issue and
it is very valuable.
Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes
October 10, 2016
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ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned at 9:08 pm.
Attest:
Ainlee Brunckhorst, CMC
City Clerk
Prepared by:
Judi Funk
Deputy City Clerk
Kalispell City Council Work Session Minutes
October 10, 2016
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