Willow Creek project discussion resumes
The controversial Willow Creek development on Foy’s Lake Road is back on the Kalispell Planning Board agenda for June 8.
Although the board voted last month to table a decision on the housing project indefinitely, it must make a decision, Kalispell Planning Director Tom Jentz said.
“If it’s continued, it needs to be continued at the request of the applicant,” Jentz said. “This project needs to be reviewed on its own merits.”
Willow Creek developers Wayne and Hubert Turner, operating as Trigon Inc., want to revise the subdivision that won approval in 2007.
Revisions include changes to the planned-unit development for the project and modifications to several conditions of approval for the 471-lot subdivision.
They initially sought 711 lots, then won approval for 531 lots in 2007.
By February of this year the developers had shaved the number of lots to 455, then bumped it up to 471 lots by the time the Planning Board held its May 11 public hearing.
The property is located on the north side of Foy’s Lake Road, generally between Valley View Drive and Learn Lane. The subdivision’s eastern boundary is along the U.S. 93 alternate truck route under construction.
Trail access is one of the biggest pending issues.
Rails to Trails volunteers don’t want the trail “severed” by Willow Creek’s north-south road funneling traffic onto U.S. 2.
They would like a bridge to carry the trail over the new road, while the Turners have proposed an at-grade crossing.
Another unresolved issue is the half mile of subdivision frontage along Foy’s Lake Road, Jentz said.
The Planning Board was “adamant” that the development present a nicely landscaped buffer, but the design has evolved to more of a stormwater retention area.
The configuration of interior subdivision roads and a 30-foot cut the Turners carved into the south slope of their land are other matters for board discussion.
IN OTHER business, the board will consider expansion requests from two local churches.
Faith Free Lutheran Church wants a conditional-use permit to expand the existing church at 405 Liberty Street.
Faith Covenant Presbyterian Church, at 611 Third Ave. E. in Kalispell, also is seeking a conditional-use permit for a 36-by-36-foot two-story addition to be built between the existing church and church office building.
Immanuel Lutheran Corp. is asking for a conditional-use permit to expand the Buffalo Hill Terrace senior-living community and Immanuel Lutheran Home.
The June 8 meeting begins at 6 p.m. at Kalispell City Hall.