Kalispell Planning Commission to hold public hearing on proposed Tronstad subdivisions

Kalispell Planning Commission on Tuesday will hold a public hearing on proposed twin residential developments on open land north of the city.  

The regular meeting of the commission will be held at 6 p.m. , Oct. 8 in City Hall, 201 First Ave. E. 

Developers Jon Sonju and Frank Garner, two former Republican lawmakers, are looking to develop twin subdivisions, Tronstad Meadows and Whitetail Crossing, on around 110 acres between U.S. 93 and Whitefish Stage Road.  

The land would see 355 single-family lots ranging from 6,000 to 11,000 square feet designated under the lowest density residential zoning offered by the city.  

An initial proposal that included 25 additional lots and higher density zoning was denied by Kalispell City Council in June. A revised proposal came back before the Planning Commission during a work session in September.  

During that meeting, nearby residents criticized the new proposal for failing to make meaningful changes to address concerns about pedestrian and vehicle safety in the future.  

Eric Mulcahy, a land use planner representing the developers, argued that many infrastructure changes were made in response to issues raised by residents and Council. 

Tronstad Road was of particular concern for nearby residents, who argued that the existing  infrastructure there could not support additional traffic generated by the developments.  

A vocal critic and Tronstad Road resident, Ming Munzing issued a press release ahead of the public hearing panning the revamped proposal. She described Tronstad Road as “a narrow county road with blind hills, steep ditches, and no real or substantial improvements to maintain or increase the level of service needed to serve a subdivision of the proposed size.” 

The release stated that a petition in opposition to the developments reached over 600 signatures.  

During the September work session, Planning Commission President Chad Graham expressed wariness about approving the subdivision without prior construction of a traffic signal at the intersection of Tronstad Road and U.S. 93. 

While a traffic impact study conducted for the developer by Abelin Traffic Services in July concluded that a signal would be needed to accommodate increased traffic, when or if it will be installed is up to the Montana Department of Transportation.  

According to a report from the city’s planning staff, the proposed development is in line with the city’s growth policy and is appropriate with the surrounding area which “is becoming increasingly urban in nature.”  

Silverbrook Estates and Quail Meadows are two subdivisions that exist to the west among other approved projects in the works in the surrounding area.  

The commission will also take public comment for further building on the Northland subdivision, which would see 28 residential lots, roads and a common area on around 11 acres, according to city documents.  

Greater Valley Health Center is also requesting annexation and designated zoning for business along Third Avenue East for a new connection to the city water service, according to documents filed in City Hall.  

Jack Underhill can be reached at junderhill@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4407.