Kalispell Council holds hearing on additions to Eagle Valley Ranch

Kalispell City Council on Monday is set to hold a public hearing on several requests pertaining to addition of property to the Eagle Valley Ranch development on U.S. 93 North.

Spartan Holdings is requesting a zoning map amendment, growth policy map amendment and annexation with initial zoning for 6.8 acres of land at 3201 U.S. 93.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 201 First Avenue East.

The Eagle Valley Ranch PUD was created in 2018 and the request is for a growth policy map amendment, annexation and initial zoning by including additional acreage in the PUD. The developer has acquired the adjacent land containing the former Homefitters building and the neighboring vacant property currently within the county.

The request includes a zone change for the former Homefitters building property that would allow the building to be a permitted commercial space.

The request also includes the annexation and initial zoning of the county property for 5.43 acres which is an isolated island between the Homefitters building and the Eagle Valley Ranch development.

The growth policy map amendment would change the property from suburban residential to urban mixed use, allowing for neighborhood commercial uses.

“The goal of the change is similar to that of the original PUD which is to provide a diverse neighborhood close to existing services and commercial development on the north side of Kalispell and allows for the inclusion of properties that are currently segregated from the development,” said Jarod Nygren, city Development Services Director.

COUNCIL IS also poised to approve a change order request for the Parkline Trail regarding about $250,000. The funds had been set to come from the West Side Tax Increment Financing debt service fund, but it has been determined that there will not be adequate money in that account to make the transfer.

City staff is recommending instead using the Community Development Miscellaneous special revenue fund to cover the expense.

ALSO ON the agenda, Council is set to approve the FY23 preliminary budget and set a public hearing for July 5 on the budget. Then, on Aug. 15, City Council is set to adopt the final budget.

Related to that, Council will consider a salary adjustment for non-union employees with a 3.5% base adjustment

As part of the budget process, Council reviews the recommendation to adjust the wages of employees not represented by one of the three collective bargaining units in an effort to maintain consistency between employees.

“Our pay system was developed to be an objective process that prevents falling behind in the market, and conversely, prevents outpacing the market,” City Manager Doug Russell said.

For more information, visit the city’s website at https://www.kalispell.com/.

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