Former racetrack eyed for housing project

The owners of the former Raceway Park have returned with a proposal that could turn the property into housing.

The park closed in 2020 as a result of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but even prior to that the property was being eyed for housing.

Thornton Motorsports is requesting a zone change on the roughly 40-acre property that would likely pave the way for it to be developed for housing.

The request is part of a packed agenda before the Flathead County Planning Board on Wednesday that includes seven total public hearings. The planning board meets at 6 p.m. at the South Campus Building in Kalispell.

THE RACETRACK owners are seeking to change the zoning on the property from AG-40 agricultural to R-1 suburban residential. The property is located on McDermott Lane just off U.S. 93 and sits atop a rise overlooking fields and Majestic Valley Arena to the east.

In 2018, Thornton Motorsports sought to build a 57-lot subdivision on the 40-acre property where the racetrack is located, but the Flathead County commissioners denied a preliminary plat for the subdivision. The company sued over the issue alleging it was an abuse of discretion, but the commissioners’ decision was upheld in court in 2019.

This time, the requested zone change would allow for 28 lots to be created under the proposed zoning. The planning staff report notes that the proposed zone requires a minimum lot area of 1 acre, thus with the property totaling about 40 acres and in a typical subdivision 30% of the lots are dedicated to infrastructure that leaves about 70% for lots.

In its application with the county, Thornton Motorsports says the change is intended to allow for an “estate-type development” normally located in rural areas away from concentrated urban development.

OTHER ITEMS on the planning board agenda include:

Montana LLC and Robert G. and Rita A. Boese are seeking a zone change for property located at 1308 Highway 83 in Bigfork from SAG-10 to SAG-5 for 38.5 acres.

John and Eman Federico are requesting a zone change on 23 acres located at 2505 and 2525 E. Lakeshore Drive near Whitefish from SAG-10 to SAG-5.

Edward G. LaPrath is requesting a zone change at 630 Leksand Trail near Whitefish from SAG-10 to R-1 on 4.41 acres.

Tim J. and Sherrie L. Calaway are seeking a zone change on property off Highway 83 near Bigfork from SAG-5 to light industrial on 20 acres.

Mark, Pytosh and Hilda Pyun are seeking a zone change on about 140 acres from AG-40 to AG-20 on property at 350 and 405 Blanchard View Drive and 115 Whitefish Hills Drive near Whitefish.

D&J Koenig Holdings is requesting a zone change at 430 Church Drive outside Whitefish on 8.863 acres from AG-40 to SAG-5.

Features editor Heidi Desch may be reached at 758-4421 or hdesch@dailyinterlake.com.