Board backs lease of old state property

The Kalispell Planning Board unanimously recommended approval Tuesday for the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to lease its old building to Flathead Valley Community College.

The state agency requested a conditional use permit that would allow it to lease the facility to the college for overflow classes and parking.

The college’s use of the building, located on 26.4 acres on the southwest corner of U.S. 93 and Reserve Loop, would be temporary, Kalispell Planning Director Tom Jentz said. The state agency wants to redevelop the property for commercial expansion, he added.

The Planning Board also recommended approval of three annexations into the city, including the land where Flathead Beverage and Triple W Equipment are located.

Flathead Beverage is located on two acres at 1370 U.S. 2 W. while Triple W Equipment is located on 9.5 acres at 3145 U.S. 93 S.

The land owners were forced to request annexation after they sold their drainfields to the Montana Department of Transportation for use as part of construction of the U.S. 93 Alternate Route, Jentz said. The businesses would like to connect to nearby city sewer lines, which requires annexation.

A third property, .9 acre of residential land at 1010 8th Ave. W, is owned by Trinidad Holdings. It goes from Eighth Avenue West to Ashley Creek.