Courthouse East project approved

After months of debate, Courthouse East is on its way to a renovation that calls for apartments, offices and a coffee shop in the old building.

The Kalispell City Council on Monday night approved the plan by a 7-1 vote.

Councilman Jim Atkinson was absent.

Councilman Bob Hafferman was the lone negative vote. He has said that he likes the project but agrees with some neighbors who said the plan doesn't fit the character of the neighborhood that is largely residential.

Density, traffic and parking were issues Hafferman previously brought up that neighbors also voiced.

The building, which opened as a hospital in 1912 and later housed Flathead County government offices, was the subject of much debate when DEV Properties bought the building and announced its plans a few months ago.

"We're excited to get going, to get anything started," said developer Dave Rickert of Columbia Falls.

The approval came after months of heated discussions with neighbors, a split vote from the planning board and a temporary holdup when the council tabled the issue in May.

Neighbors either embraced the developers' plan or opposed it, saying the apartments and commercial and business uses of the building don't mesh with the neighborhood.

Some opponents favored razing the building and putting up single-family homes.

Rickert's partners are Eric Berry of Seattle and Vince Padilla of Washington.

Council members spoke little about the proposal Monday night. The council has talked about the issue at length during the past weeks and facilitated an open house for the developers and neighbors to mitigate conflict.

Councilman Jayson Peters again acknowledged that the building has an unusual history of being used in a

manner that doesn't comply with the residential zoning.

"I think this certain piece of property truly is unique," he said.

Peters asked to move the item off the consent agenda to give neighbors one more chance to address the council before its members voted.

Neighbor Chuck Cummings, who has been vocal in his opposition to Courthouse East, was the only person who addressed the council Monday. Many other neighbors on both sides of the issue have spoken at other meetings.

DEV Properties received a zone change from urban single-family residential to residential/professional office for the 65,000-square-foot building and a planned unit development for the property, which sits on about 2 acres on the east side of Fifth Avenue East between Seventh and Eighth streets.

"Most of our efforts this summer will be on the outside," Rickert said.

The developers plan to clean the building and work on the parking lot, sidewalk and other exterior components. The project will take about two years to complete, Rickert said.

Reporter Camden Easterling may be reached at 758-4429 or by e-mail at ceasterling@dailyinterlake.com.