Planning board backs Westwood subdivision
The Kalispell Planning Board on Tuesday night recommended approval of the Westwood Park subdivision, a project the board tabled last month over concerns about drainage, density and other issues.
The project came back to the board with a new design that addressed the board's - and neighbors' - concerns.
Developer Denman Construction of Whitefish plans to build a combination of two- and three-unit townhouses (for a total of 31 dwellings) on 9 acres at the northern end of Corporate Way, between Two Mile Drive and U.S. 2 West.
The company seeks a planned unit development and preliminary plat approval for the project.
The board had few questions for Denman Construction this time around. The developers recently met with neighbors to discuss their new plan. That effort made a good impression on both neighbors and the board.
Neighbor Mark Drew told the council he appreciated the developers' meeting with the neighbors, though he still had some concerns whether drainage and other issues with the project would be adequately resolved upon the project's completion.
Another neighbor voiced similar sentiments. About 15 neighbors showed up, and several spoke at the June public hearing, but only a few attended Tuesday's meeting.
A few board members also said they applaud Denman Construction's working with the neighbors to work out a compromise.
"I know that time is money, so I'm really glad they did that," board member Timothy Norton said.
The revamped plan addressed the issues the planning board had in mind and those brought up by neighbors, so the board unanimously recommended the City Council approve the project.
Bill Rice of Denman Construction said the company feels the project is better from having the neighbors' feedback and the subsequent redesign.
"Once you revisit (initial plans) and talk with someone else, you get some maybe better ideas," he said.
The project now goes to the city council for final approval.
In other matters, the board:
-Revised an earlier initial zoning designation for the Old School Station industrial park planned for 2 miles south of Kalispell, southeast of Snow Line Tree Co. The board changed the zoning from industrial-commercial to light industrial to better align with planned uses for the park.
-Amended its bylaws to move the election of officers from January to July and re-elected George Taylor as president and Timothy Norton as vice president. The board also amended the bylaws to reflect the dissolution of the Tri-City Planning Office and the establishment of a city department in its place.
-Recommended approval of an initial zoning designation of two-family residential for a half-acre property on the northwest corner of Seventh Avenue West and Sunnyside Drive.
-Tabled an amendment to the zoning ordinance to allow rental storage units in basements of existing buildings in the industrial-commercial zoning district. Planning staff will revise the amendment to address specific uses for the storage units and other guidelines.
The board adjourned around 11 p.m. and did not meet for the scheduled work session on updating the growth policy for the U.S. 93 South corridor. That work session takes place at 7 p.m. July 26 in City Hall.