Next up for the north end: Planning Board to consider shopping center, casino

The Kalispell Planning Board will consider on Tuesday whether or not the next major commercial development on U.S. 93 North should move forward.

The Spring Prairie Phase 4 development calls for 14 retail lots on 28 acres of land south of Costco, an area commonly known as Victory Commons. While no specific businesses have been identified, it could accommodate retail, hotel and restaurant business.

Missouri-based Kroenke Group is developing the project on school trust land sandwiched between Old Reserve Drive and the Kidsports Complex.

This would be the latest in a proliferation of development in that area over the past 15 years, making U.S. 93 in north Kalispell the second-busiest road in Montana.

Kalispell Director of Planning and Building Tom Jentz said that in 2001 the area was farm fields and a gravel pit.

“The commercial demand has been so great,” Jentz said.

Currently, the empty parcel is valued at $3.1 million.

Some procedural obstacles still stand in the way of the development. On Tuesday, the Planning Board will go over those factors.

One issue is that the development requires an amendment to the city’s official growth policy. According to a staff report, 23 of the 28 acres are designated for “public and open space” land use by the current policy.

Public and open space land designations allow for “a diversity of recreational facilities,” such as the Kidsport Complex. The Kroenke Group is applying to have that amended so that the land can be commercially developed.

The staff report says that while the parcel is not designated for commercial use, it would be the “highest and best use of the property” to make the change.

Intertwined with the growth policy amendment is a zoning change request. It’s currently zoned for public use and would need to be rezoned for “general business.”

Another potential roadblock is a pond that sits in the middle of the parcel and collects runoff from properties to the north. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must make a determination on whether or not the pond can be filled for the project. If the Corps demands that the pond stays, a 100-foot setback for wetlands would drastically change the development plan.

If the Corps decides that the pond can be filled, the project includes plans to build a new runoff retention system.

Karen Blumenstein, who is representing the developer, said she’s confident that Tuesday’s meeting will be productive.

“We’re hopeful that the Planning Board will feel the excitement and the employment opportunity that this will create for Kalispell,” she said.

The Planning Board also will consider plans for a Town Pump gas station, convenience store and casino next to Eisinger Motors on West Reserve Drive.

Proposed by Eureka Town Pump Inc., the business would have a proposed value of $2.8 million after completion. Town Pump plans to purchase the location, formerly The River church, from Eisinger.

This project doesn’t have the same impediments as the Spring Valley proposal. Kalispell Senior Planner Jarod Nygren said that it’s a good site for a gas station, according to city plans.

“Future growth policy does support commercial development,” he said.

The proposed site would need to be annexed by the city, since Town Pump requires city sewer and water services. It’s currently designated as Flathead County land.

A potential sticking point for the Planning Board could be the casino portion. It has been a standing city development policy to avoid casinos north of Idaho Street.  

If the Planning Board recommends approval the Spring Prairie and Town Pump proposals, they would move on to the Kalispell City Council for final approval.

The Kalispell Planning Board meets Tuesday at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 201 First Avenue E.

Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.