Proposed developments would bring 380 homes at mixed prices to Kalispell

A pair of former lawmakers are pitching twin residential developments north of Kalispell with an eye toward addressing the Flathead Valley’s well-documented housing crunch. 

Known as Tronstad Meadows and Whitetail Crossing, the proposed neighborhoods near the intersection of U.S. 93 and Tronstad Road are expected to see about 380 single-family homes go up on roughly 110 acres of land. Though home prices in the valley have exploded in recent years, former state Rep. Frank Garner said he and former state Sen. Jon Sonju hope to offer a portion of the houses at the area’s median home price and below. 

“We’re at kind of an unfortunate intersection for those of us like me who grew up in the valley and are wanting to try and maintain the life and values that we’ve enjoyed for so long and the need to help provide the opportunity for the next generation to enjoy that same privilege,” said Garner, who is acting as the ownership group’s spokesperson. “Many people close to me have grown up here, worked here and can’t afford a house here.”