Kalispell council considers land-use change

A request to change the future land-use designation on 30 acres of land near the intersection of Stillwater Road and Four Mile Drive is the focus of a public hearing before the Kalispell City Council tonight.

Dwayne Druckenmiller and WWEE, LLC, are asking to change the land use outlined in the Kalispell growth policy from suburban residential and urban residential to neighborhood commercial and high-density residential. The property is undeveloped grassland at the northwest, southwest and southeast corners of the intersection of Stillwater Road and Four Mile Drive.

The Kalispell Planning Board held its public hearing on the request Oct. 11 and is recommending the council adopt the proposed growth policy map amendment. The planning staff also found the map amendment is consistent with the goals and policies of the growth policy.

In other business, the council is poised to approve the second reading of an ordinance regarding short-term rentals, including vacation rentals by owner.

At the first reading of the ordinance on Nov. 7 there were two amendments added to the proposed ordinance. One requires that the short-term rental be the primary residence of the property owner in all residential zones in the city. The second requires an affirmation by the applicant that the property is not subject to covenants that would prohibit a short-term rental.

The city has been working on the short-term rental issue since March and has held several work sessions since then.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 201 First Ave. E. in Kalispell.