Tronstad subdivisions move forward

In a 4-1 vote, the Kalispell Planning Commission on Oct. 8 authorized twin developments along Tronstad Road to be put before City Council. 

During around two and a half hours of public comment, neighbors voiced disproval of the proposed project in North Kalispell. Many held concerns that Tronstad Road does not have the necessary infrastructure to accommodate the influx of traffic that would come with the proposed development.   

“There is no one in this room who wants to see more crosses on the side of the road,” Michele Taylor, a resident on Birch Grove Road said calling the proposal reckless.  

Developers Jon Sonju and Frank Garner, two former Republican lawmakers, are looking for a planned unit development and preliminary plat approval of two subdivisions, Tronstad Meadows and Whitetail Crossing, on 110.5 acres of land between U.S. 93 and Whitefish Stage.  

The land would see 355 single-family lots ranging from 6,000 to 12,000 square feet.  The plan calls for 140 lots to exceed 10,000 square feet. Developers also stated their intention to provide starter lots for those entering the housing market.  

The developers agreed to fund improvements to the intersection at Tronstad Road and U.S. 93, a point of concern amongst neighbors that a July study conducted by Abelin Traffic Services determined would require a traffic signal.  

“You walk away from something like this, and you have the same problems forever,” said Planning Commission President Chad Graham, who voted in favor of the subdivisions.  

“I see a lot of positives in this,” said board member Pip Burke, “If this development doesn’t go through there will be no money.” 

Developers Sonju and Garner argued that all conditions have been met and that they cannot be held responsible for all growth north of the city.  

“We’ve heard all the problems with the safety and the issues out on the road, and here’s the truth, there is nobody coming to fix it and there is no pot of money for it readily available right now. Except, we’ve agreed to pay for it,” Garner said. 

The traffic study determined Tronstad Road could accommodate the higher capacity of cars which has a projected peak of up to 300 cars per hour per lane. It recommended a traffic signal at the intersection of Tronstad Road and U.S. 93 prior to development.  

During a September work session, Graham also vied to see a signal go up before building. 

When a signal would be installed, though, is determined by the Montana Department of Transportation, which typically requires an observed need prior to installation.  

Residents on and around Tronstad expressed that the road is currently a danger for drivers and pedestrians alike. Narrow lanes, speeding cars, steep ditches and blind hills were descriptions prescribed to the road that would become a major collector with the development of the residential subdivisions.  

Whitefish Stage was also described as having a similar lack of infrastructure.  

“I live on that road,” said Dan Munzing, who argued that the blind hills pose an imminent danger and do not meet city standards. 

“You have an inadequate traffic study,” he said. “I don’t think there is a reasonable doubt that there are safety issues here.”  

Michelle Weinberg, an attorney representing Dan and Ming Munzing, argued that the density of development would pose a strain on schools seeing an influx of students.  

“The underlying issues have not been addressed with respect to public health and safety,” she said.  

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, instituting landscape buffers and implementing larger lot sizes on the outskirts of the development.  

Many neighbors were offended by the slight decrease in density, arguing that the developers put profit before community concern.  

Phase 5 of the Northland subdivision and annexation and designated zoning at the Greater Valley Health Center was also given a positive recommendation by the commission.  

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