[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6609747,"mediaKeyId","2906605-4494e4481362387ebb715df16770bea9","parentId",2906605,"title","Kalispell holds work session on SB382 land‑use update, staff stresses outreach as residents raise concerns","audioSeconds",1425,"startMs",2436000,"endMs",3861000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2906605-4494e4481362387ebb715df16770bea9&start=2436&end=3861","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2906605-4494e4481362387ebb715df16770bea9/thumbnail_2436000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6609747/Kalispell/Flathead-County/Montana/Kalispell-holds-work-session-on-SB382-landuse-update-staff-stresses-outreach-as-residents-raise-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609747-1d2ff0d08ea9d0fd101a275244d4d88b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177225&Signature=be44n9fYU-l6O7CN6MT~Ngv5VtcJKWgjaRe4jxnEuroaln4LcYtB60O31Y39JYCrw8wV3v5GmJbcUvVq~G~XixBxflu~~YfATctjVKicK0MICoOu~HpF8HkopTJg2GTWwyZ27VNrlrf-siHCFmegcGfAYnHkLdOUntwY-~InkXWnrXAp5Ov5pfMzN99W4jwy7WOvOo-KJWvbdLeqJ7yAh0YRMdxqOc4TvrIkOLuFtdfKckoCheH6JR9BI63k2mPIBClRJN0aN82olnO-ZtsfnGtgINoekyo3y6cuyBmiZQ9SHWpyCBoQwcl9hSmPVpbZ-ITEbUz7ZF24Jx8AS1Z23g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kalispell, MT","date","2025-04-09T01:36:57.013Z","article","City planning staff told the Kalispell City Planning Commission they are continuing outreach for a land‑use plan update required by the Montana Land Use Planning Act (Senate Bill 382) and aim to present a draft for recommendation this summer.

Donnie McBath, identified in the meeting as Planner II, said the statute (referred to in the meeting as “Maloopa”) requires 10 Montana cities, including Kalispell, to adopt new land‑use plans by May 2026 and to update zoning and subdivision regulations. He outlined public engagement completed so far — two open houses, four drop‑in sessions, online questionnaires and meetings with more than a dozen stakeholder groups — and presented preliminary survey results on community values and preferred housing strategies.

“We need to identify opportunities for development in areas such as housing, businesses, agriculture, public lands, and institutions,” McBath said as he summarized the project objectives and the project’s IAP2 engagement approach. Staff said the city’s consultant, Logan Simpson, is assisting with outreach and mapping tools available at the project website.

Commissioners and several public commenters focused on outreach reach and the practical effect of SB382 on project‑level public hearings. Staff and others in the meeting emphasized that the statute changes review for site‑specific subdivision and conditional use permit applications, noting those reviews may be administrative rather than publicly noticed hearings under the current statutory scheme. Staff also flagged ongoing uncertainty: litigation and possible legislative cleanup (the transcript referenced a Bozeman lawsuit) could change notice or review requirements.

“Public outreach is certainly something we’re taking really seriously with this,” McBath said, describing planned summer pop‑ups, fair booth outreach and additional open houses. He said the planning team expects to focus the May work session on housing and is targeting August to have a final draft available for public hearing and recommendation to the City Council.

Public commenters urged emphasis on preserving downtown character, adding bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and locating higher‑density housing near the city core rather than on farmland. One resident from West Kalispell supported mixed‑use and infill development near downtown and asked that the draft prioritize apartments and townhouses around the core instead of expanding into agricultural land.

Staff outlined next steps including continued questionnaires and outreach events, presentation of draft plan chapters for public review, and a call to action for residents to follow agenda materials and to submit written testimony if they cannot attend meetings.

The commission did not take formal action on the plan at the work session; staff said additional work sessions and possibly an extra monthly meeting may be needed to meet the statutory schedule.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/8/25 City of Kalispell Planning Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","City staff briefed the planning commission on the Kalispell land‑use plan update required by Senate Bill 382, outlined outreach so far and a draft timeline to meet a May 2026 statutory deadline; residents and commissioners raised concerns about reduced public review for site‑specific projects under the new state law.","taxTitle","Kalispell, Flathead County, Montana","taxId",61441,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6609752,"Planning commission recommends annexation and CUP for MDT Highway 93 maintenance facility",2196,51000,2247000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2906605-4494e4481362387ebb715df16770bea9&start=51&end=2247","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2906605-4494e4481362387ebb715df16770bea9/thumbnail_51000.jpg","/articles/6609752/Kalispell/Flathead-County/Montana/Planning-commission-recommends-annexation-and-CUP-for-MDT-Highway-93-maintenance-facility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609752-86a1addc9e376140b08499f1b2d68d42/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177225&Signature=g5XDj1GPTA8BSp4gRJeL5Xy98UplC0QoA1b2LlwRWaBgXvPvjvFSodypLLitkHe7u3UDcW0P4UNlGMIMsm1pG8KMY5XrDtbuVwFognvlg~iiq4igzmpL29dlxE1es6LQeqjuaKkk6dE8VbOv8pYZOMLrULwbCQtCeRfnNoi2wNrtDEYh6BY9df9aKh841MT9XiNMuP5gRrfGIuSy416S~NxGNvav0wMKnAEYWzTM4JWykVlJ5q~FAQ~YUO-g8-zO2BFD4pQ59RwgGMINYMceDm5ZOTH5LyGiSC5rdnwoIXkVxr~O1qYumsWIWK7ok5gPAs0UfNNHHzcKNpXLfZ3w6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kalispell City Planning Commission voted to recommend annexation and P‑1 public zoning and to approve a conditional use permit for a Montana Department of Transportation maintenance facility at 2905 U.S. Highway 93 North.

The recommendation, adopted by roll call vote, covered file KA25‑02 (annexation and initial zoning) and KCU25‑02 (conditional use permit). The commission approved an amendment to condition 3 to allow a public road and utility easement “in the event that state law prohibits dedication,” and amended condition 6 to require architectural review for screening locations.

City staff described the proposal as an approximately 28,400‑square‑foot building combining equipment storage, mechanics and welding shops, with continued outdoor storage of salt, sand and other maintenance materials on the southern portion of the site. The project would relocate mechanics and welders from the existing Fifth Avenue East facility and consolidate roughly 20 permanent staff at the new site.

“This is really on the efficiency side and the level of service side,” said Justin Juliffs, maintenance chief for the Montana Department of Transportation’s Kalispell office, explaining that the larger site and drive‑through bays would allow covered storage and more timely pre‑ and post‑trip inspections.

The staff report noted the property is inside the city’s annexation boundary, lies adjacent to existing water and sewer, and is designated urban mixed use on the city’s growth policy map. The proposal includes a Quail Lane extension intended to provide local access parallel to Highway 93 and reduce direct approaches onto the highway; staff said that annexation is needed to make that connection available to the city.

Commission discussion focused on screening and access. Staff said the Highway 93 entrance‑corridor standard requires a 100‑foot buffer but allows reduction so it does not cover more than 10% of a property; in this case the buffer is reduced to 59 feet. Staff and the applicant discussed a proposed 60‑foot Quail Lane right of way, a planned 50‑foot site access from Quail Lane, and the possibility that state law could prevent formal dedication of the roadway, prompting the easement amendment.

On screening, the applicant explained that material storage would be concentrated on the south half of the lot and that the existing screening fence would be maintained or reinstalled. “I would envision similar to what’s currently there, chain link fence with the slats in between that,” Juliffs said when asked about fencing and screening. The commission amended the condition to clarify that locations for screening shall be reviewed and approved by the Architectural Review Committee.

Votes at the planning commission roll calls were recorded as follows: Joshua Borgart — yes; Doug Kaufman — yes; Shelby Lechron — yes; Pip Burke — aye; Rory Young — aye; Chad Graham — aye. The motions to recommend annexation (KA25‑02) and to recommend approval of the conditional use permit (KCU25‑02), as amended, passed.

The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Kalispell City Council for final action; staff said the specific design of road reconfiguration and access improvements will be subject to engineering review and approval by both the city and MDT.

Less critical details discussed included on‑site stormwater to be built to city standards, potential need for additional main extensions for hydrants depending on fire review, and that final fencing and landscape buffering will be addressed through the building permit and architectural review process.","The Kalispell City Planning Commission voted to recommend annexation, P-1 zoning and approval of a conditional use permit for a Montana Department of Transportation combination facility at 2905 U.S. Highway 93 North, with two amendments to conditions addressing road dedication and screening.","actionData","errors"]

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Kalispell holds work session on SB382 land‑use update, staff stresses outreach as residents raise concerns

Planning commission recommends annexation and CUP for MDT Highway 93 maintenance facility