County to weigh in on U.S. 93 bypass option

Commissioners scheduled to discuss the matter today

The Flathead County commissioners will address two issues today that could have long-term ramifications for development in the valley.

Both discussions are scheduled at 10:45 a.m.

The first deals with which half of the U.S. 93 bypass should be built first. The second deals with the possibility of forming an impact fee advisory committee.

Commissioner Gary Hall said he favors building the south half of the bypass first.

The project stretches eight miles along the west edge of Kalispell, from just south of Gardner RV and Trailer Sales to the intersection of U.S. 93 and West Reserve Drive. The state doesn't have enough money to build it all at once, so construction will have to be phased.

The Technical Advisory Committee, which oversees transportation improvements in the Kalispell area, last week reiterated its recommendation that the north half be built first.

However, Kalispell Mayor Pam Kennedy and several downtown Kalispell business owners are lobbying for the south half, saying it would do a better job of reducing truck and car traffic on Main Street.

On Monday, the Kalispell City Council also agreed to write a letter in support of the south half; a majority of council members are expected to sign the letter.

Given the number of people who work in downtown Kalispell - including a large number of county employees - Hall said safety considerations alone should tip the scales in favor of the south option.

"What concerns me is the possibility of a hazardous material spill," he said. "I sit here and see trucks going down Main Street every day. Anything we can do to help protect county employees from some kind of incident should take priority."

Hall's support for the south half is contingent upon a new loop road being built near the north end of the bypass route, adjacent to Glacier High School.

Hall has been seeking federal funding for that road for almost two years. The loop would run from the intersection of Stillwater Road and West Reserve southeast across the Section 36 school trust lands, connecting with U.S. 93 just south of Costco.

U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., recently announced that he's requested $4.2 million for the loop road and $4 million in construction funds for the overall bypass.

A final decision about which half of the bypass to build first rests with the Montana Department of Transportation. The agency could make a decision in August.

Also this morning, the commissioners will discuss a recommendation from the Flathead County Planning Board to create an impact fee advisory committee.

Forming the committee is the first step toward adopting impact fees.

The fees were authorized during the past legislative session. They're imposed on new development projects and are intended to reimburse local governments and taxpayers for the investment they've made in capital facilities, such as roads, water and sewer systems, storm water systems and emergency services.

The committee would review and monitor the calculating, assessing and spending of impact fees. By law, it has to include one representative of the development community and a certified public accountant; the Planning Board also is asking that two of its members be included.

Commissioners Hall and Joe Brenneman have indicated that they're willing to explore the impact fee concept. However, they want to see what the advisory committee recommends before deciding whether to adopt the fees.

Reporter Bill Spence may be reached at 758-4459 or by e-mail at bspence@dailyinterlake.com.