Flathead County Planning Board reviews 13-lot subdivision, workshop for new Lakeside zoning district

The Flathead County Planning Board will consider a proposal for a 13-lot subdivision near Kalispell and two changes on Wednesday.  

The board meets at 6 p.m. in the second-floor conference room in the South Campus Building at 40 11th St. W. in Kalispell. A public hearing will be held for each application discussed at the meeting.  

Following the meeting is a workshop to discuss a proposal for a new 82-acre zoning district in Lakeside, initiated by a group of landowners within the area. The proposed area for the new district is east of U.S. 93, bounded by Blacktail Road to the north, Political Hill Road to the west and Flathead Lake to the east. The proposed southern boundary ends just north of Peaceful Lane. 

LEIF ELKEVIK of Prospector Trail DST wants to build a 13-lot industrial subdivision, dubbed Prospect Business Park Phase II, on 25 acres of land at 1085 Prospector Trail near Kalispell. The property is east of Glacier Park International Airport across U.S. 2. It is partially zoned as a scenic corridor and partially unzoned. 

Flathead Municipal Airport Authority said the property faces potential exposure to exhaust fumes, dust, light vibrations and noise from low flying aircraft. Developers were advised to disclose this information to potential buyers. The property is also subject to compliance with Federal Aviation Administration requirements.  

The property will be serviced by a new well and septic system and accessed by an internal artery connecting to Pioneer Road. 

Traffic from the subdivision is expected to generate 432 average daily trips on weekdays, with 59 additional trips during peak morning and evening hours. However, the subdivision won’t significantly impact traffic congestion at the intersection of U.S. 2 and Pioneer Road. Previous traffic forecasts have predicted worsening traffic conditions on Pioneer Road by 2031 and are not a result of the subdivision.

Seven car accidents were recorded at the U.S. 2 and Pioneer Road intersection in the last five years, and a traffic signal may be installed at the intersection, depending on congestion levels. A BNSF railroad line crosses Pioneer Road just before the highway entrance.  

The proposed subdivision is determined to have minimal impacts on the natural environment, according to the report. The property does not appear to contain intermittent streams, riparian areas or a 100-year floodplain, except for a delineated wetland that will be designated a no build zone on the final plat.  

CARSON DEPRATU wants to amend zoning on his 6.23-acre property at 466 East Reserve Drive in the Evergreen Zoning District from “R-1 Suburban Agricultural” to “R-4 Two Family Residential.” The property is undeveloped, and DePratu intends to subdivide the property and build six duplexes, totaling 12 residential units, according to the application. Half of the units would be available for purchase, and the other half would be for long-term rent.  

Land use surrounding the property is predominantly residential and agricultural in nature, according to a staff report. Planning staff found that the proposed zone amendment complies with county growth policies. The proposed R-4 zoning would allow up to 45 single-family lots or 36 duplex lots on the property. 

The property is located 1.5 miles west of Kalispell city limits, and planning staff found the proposed map amendment to be compatible with city’s urban growth planning. The Kalispell Land Use Plan Future Land Use Map allows up to 12 dwelling units, or five duplexes, per acre in R-4 zoning.  

ANDREW AND Brittany Rech want to amend zoning on their property at 1429 and 1433 U.S. 2 near Kalispell from “R-1 Suburban Residential” to “B-2 General Business.” The property owners intend to develop a small commercial site for the storage and transfer of electronic materials, according to the application. The properties currently contain a single-family residence and a barn, with a mix of relatively dense pines and grassy open spaces.  

The Kalispell Planning Department protested the zone amendment, given the property’s proximity to city limits. City planning staff said the property is adjacent to city water and sewer services and is located within Kalispell’s annexation boundary.  

“Development of the site should occur on city services and to city standards,” city planning staff wrote in a comment letter to the county.  

The city planning staff suggested the applicants appeal to Kalispell officials to annex the property and work with the city on development plans.  

Report for America reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at (406) 758-4439 or hshields@dailyinterlake.com. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.