Planning Board favors housing projects
The Kalispell Planning Board on Tuesday recommended approval of three major developments.
The board unanimously supported major subdivision approval for Kalispell North Town Center, Phases 3 and 4. The 39-acre property will include 26 commercial lots, generally located “east of Kalispell Ford, east of the Kalispell Armory, west of Jefferson Boulevard and north of Lincoln Street.”
The project, being developed by Eagle Valley Ranch Apartments, LLC, and the Stillwater Corp., would add a new trail system and a pond along with the new commercial subdivision.
The board made a few amendments to the plan for the development related to trail crossings and access to some of the lots.
The board also unanimously approved a conditional-use permit for 120 multi-family units in the West View Estates subdivision. The Owl Corp. development will also include a clubhouse.
“We’ve got pretty much a zero percent vacancy in town and housing is needed,” Kalispell Planning Director Jarrod Nygren said of the major housing development. “It’s really a great thing that the developer’s got going on.”
But not everyone at the Tuesday evening meeting shared Nygren’s support. One resident said, “The concern I have is the number of people that’s going to be in this whole development.”
The commenter, who lives near the property, expressed concern about the growing population there and whether the city’s water and sewer infrastructure could support this increase, but Nygren assured him there were “no concerns” from the city about meeting these demands.
The board approved a conditional-use permit for 144 dwelling units at 41 Meridian Court, known as Meridian Apartments. The project is on a four-acre property.
A revised site plan and its compliance with requirements like alley connections were reviewed. Board member Chad Graham asked about the nearby zoning and the Kalispell Growth Plan.
One public commenter spoke on behalf of the applicant, Meridian Apartments, LLC, and Nygren reported the board had received three additional written public comments on this proposal as well.
The motion passed unanimously with board member Doug Kauffman absent.
All three of these projects will be up for Kalispell City Council consideration at its April 6 meeting.
Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at bserbin@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4459.