Big subdivision OK'd on former Willow Creek site in Kalispell

A large housing proposal off Foys Lake Road received enthusiastic support from the Kalispell City Council on Monday.

Bison Hill LLC requested a planned-unit development and a major preliminary plat for a 139-acre, 407-unit property at 964 Foys Lake Road.

An earlier project, known as Willow Creek, was initiated at the site but never completed.

Mayor Mark Johnson called the remnants of that development "the Kalispell scar."

Johnson and the council gave unanimous approval for the new proposal that is expected to finally develop the property.

Mountain View, as the new project is known, would be designed as a "cottage development," with small homes on small lots, all connected to a shared green space.

"It's wonderful to see this," said council member Tim Kluesner, one of two council members, along with Kari Gabriel, who served on the council when the original Willow Creek proposal emerged.

However, Kluesner raised concerns about traffic generated by the new project. The plans include nearby infrastructure changes such as adding a "compact urban roundabout" at the intersection of Meridian Road and Seventh Street West.

Water supply and topographical features also came up as potential challenges with the development, but the council generally supported the proposal anyway.

THE COUNCIL unanimously approved another housing proposal, for Meadows Edge Phases 3 and 4, which is part of an ongoing development northwest of the city.

Meadows Edge LLC requested preliminary plat approval for 125 units on 54.91 acres at 1120 Farm to Market Road.

Meadows Edge will include a total of 304 units. The first 179 from Phases 1 and 2 are either already final-platted or are about to be final-platted, according to council documents.

Since the council held multiple previous conversations about various components of the Meadows Edge development, Phases 3 and 4 passed with little fanfare. However, Kluesner pointed out sewer service for Phase 4 will depend on future infrastructure arrangements that aren't in place yet, even though the development received approval for Phase 4 on Monday.

THE CONTROVERSIAL topic of accessory dwelling units drew more of a mixed response from the council on Monday, but an ordinance to expand the use of accessory dwellings nonetheless was approved.

The council voted 8-1, with only council member Chad Graham opposed, to approve second reading of the ordinance.

It was the culmination of a 10-month debate that began in September 2020. Passage of the long-suffering ordinance makes it possible for property owners to add an accessory dwelling unit by securing an administrative conditional-use permit in zones where duplexes already are allowed.

Finally, the council voted to hold a public hearing regarding Move 2040, the city's long-term transportation plan, on Aug. 16.

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at 406-758-4459 or bserbin@dailyinterlake.com.