Kalispell council looks at road access issue
The Kalispell City Council will deal with a public access issue on Summit Ridge Drive tonight before considering final plat approval for the final phase of Northland Subdivision.
About six months ago, the city received a complaint from a resident about an emergency access gate across Summit Ridge Drive. The city’s plastic break-away chain, without city authorization, has been reinforced with heavy gauge wire and nylon rope and boulders have been placed there.
About the same time another Summit Ridge Drive resident told the council the emergency access gate should remain in place.
The council directed city staff to bring the matter to the council for consideration when the Northland Subdivision’s final plat was submitted. The final phase includes 19 single-family lots on the east side of Northland Drive, public dedication of Northland Drive up to Four Mile Drive and the public dedication of a short segment of Summit Ridge Drive.
During the preliminary plat approval process seven years ago, the council amended conditions of approval to require that the connection with Summit Ridge Drive be gated for emergency access only.
Now the fire chief, police chief and public works director all concur that Summit Ridge Drive should be opened for general traffic for reasons of public safety and welfare. The Planning Office recomends the city modify that condition by removing the requirement for a gated access.
In other business, Montana Sky Networks is requesting a conditional use permit to allow the co-location of Verizon cellular equipment on an existing communication tower at 1286 Burns Way.
The council will present life-saver awards to Rob Cherot, Jessica Kinzer and Don Thibert for saving the life of a man in cardiac arrest on Jan. 16.
City Manager Doug Russell is recommending the council authorize travel to Washington, D.C., for up to six members of the council to meet with federal representatives and respective federal agencies to discuss the Core Area and development of a rail park in Kalispell.
“This is not only an opportunity to meet with officials as it relates to possible funding from the TIGER grant program, but also to discuss how our redevelopment efforts are related to other agencies such as the Department of Transportation and Economic Development Administration,” Russell said in a memorandum to the council.
He estimates the trip would cost about $2,000 per council member; funding would come from the redevelopment line item in the current budget.
The council meets at 7 p.m. at Kalispell City Hall, 201 First Ave. E.