Willow Creek subdivision changes to be examined

 During a work session tonight, the Kalispell City Council will examine some proposed changes to a planned unit development overlay in place for the Willow Creek subdivision.

The overlay for the 471-lot subdivision on 140 acres of land along Foy’s Lake Road was approved by the City Council in July 2010 subject to 33 conditions.

That initial agreement called for Wayne Turner, doing business as Trigon, to construct a “box culvert” passage for the Meridian Trail underneath Plymouth Crossing Road, an access road to the subdivision on the north side of the site.

The concern was that the road would sever Meridian Trail, a pedestrian route that runs west to Kila, and create a safety hazard for people using the trail.

Turner has since determined the 75- to 100-foot-long box culvert creates more issues that it solves and wants to amend the planned unit development agreement. 

The culvert would be a graffiti target and something that people would not want to use at night or in the evening; conflict with plans for water and sewer lines along Plymouth Crossing Road; encroach on Ashley Creek flood plain; and cause significant expense, Turner argues.

Turner, Kalispell planning staffers and representatives of Rails to Trails of Northwest Montana have crafted a nine-point agreement that tries to address the situation. 

That proposed agreement — which includes an alternate alignment for trails inside the subdivision and an at-grade crossing for Meridian Trail and Plymouth Cross Road — is the focus of tonight’s talks with the Kalispell City Council.

Tonight’s meeting starts at 7 p.m. in Kalispell City Hall, 201 First Ave. E. It is open to the public.

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.