Traffic concerns trip up proposed subdivision
The Kalispell Planning Board on Tuesday night initially recommended denial of - but later tabled - a proposed subdivision north of U.S. 2 West, citing concerns about traffic and park land.
The board doesn't often recommend that the City Council deny a project. Board members didn't dislike the project's design or layout, but they want the developer to rework aspects of the plan before they vote on it.
Developer New West hopes to build 15 single-family homes and 12 townhouse units on 8.6 acres east of Hathaway Lane. The company wants preliminary plat approval for its Autumn Creek subdivision and an urban single-family residential zoning designation with a conditional-use permit for the townhouses. The property is less than .25 of a mile from the city limits.
Michael Javorka of Kalispell and his wife, Joy, are the principals of New West.
Traffic was the main stumbling block for the board.
Several neighbors said they weren't opposed to Autumn Creek but think it would clog the dangerous intersection of U.S. 2 and Hathaway Lane. A group of 16 neighbors also wrote to the board voicing opposition, board President George Taylor said.
Several board members agreed with some of the concerns.
"If we approved this," board member John Hinchey said, "we'd be putting the cart before the horse."
The intersection should be remedied first, he said. The city, though, can't do that, because Hathaway Lane is a county road and Montana Department of Transportation has jurisdiction over U.S. 2.
The board also wanted space developed for recreation in addition to the wetlands conservation area that New West put aside.
The board initially voted unanimously to deny the project but then tabled the subdivision so the developer has a chance to address the concerns.
Javorka said he and his wife were disappointed but will consider their options.
They're amenable to compromise, he said.
"If we elect to continue with the project … we'll actively pursue communications with MDOT," he said. "And the other issues were not deal-breakers for us by any means."
New West can bring its proposal to the board when it is ready to do so, Taylor said.
In other matters, the board recommended approval of the city's request for preliminary plat approval of the new fire hall, Station No. 62, on 2.15 acres west of U.S. 93 and north of Four Mile Drive.
The board also recommended granting a zone change request from Potthoff, Allison and Executive Plaza Partnership.
The applicants want a zoning designation of residential apartment/office rather than the current two-family residential. The property is on about .65 of an acre on the south side of Fifth Street East, between Main Street and Second Avenue East.
Reporter Camden Easterling can be reached at 758-4429 or by e-mail at ceasterling@dailyinterlake.com.