[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6544116,"mediaKeyId","3806636-fe0d2d75d74a65570a71448329b58d1b","parentId",3806636,"title","Planning commission backs Reserve at Johnson Ranch growth‑policy change, annexation, PUD and preliminary plat","audioSeconds",2722,"startMs",137000,"endMs",2859000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3806636-fe0d2d75d74a65570a71448329b58d1b&start=137&end=2859","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3806636-fe0d2d75d74a65570a71448329b58d1b/thumbnail_137000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6544116/Kalispell/Flathead-County/Montana/Planning-commission-backs-Reserve-at-Johnson-Ranch-growthpolicy-change-annexation-PUD-and-preliminary-plat","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544116-28df87b116f3522fead647a6c65ace30/orig.mp4?Expires=1770998702&Signature=EVgvG3i~lSVBRlCKvPwJ4oe0A0UNoyLMI6SpyUlBMbC5mPyCXsuDCKFenhdoEjcN9NTW8SOs2qgZbuHCnHBWGtieAQEA7Hi~HHm~NiD8kAcBMdEL95U4MKlb0bse2J8-OrWiiSwJirQuizuaa0tCtjVAfYqBMqKwoLm6F0yWklisWjTNPeF~gsJyF2Naq7rNLRIYVM9E07KuWwM8TUez11JruhMM1BTfyBo6gJU47p7K8zSgKaKJN7PCLaZQISolG7WQ7QpkazVd1C~t2B5PBSUz~6sQRFS7~wZvaw0mudQn4LCIdtzaWXfZ9FUG-i83XD0nzeAGeh50mSHsi4PYQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Kalispell, MT","date","2025-06-11T14:33:40Z","article","The Kalispell City Planning Commission on June 10 recommended that the City Council approve a growth policy map amendment, annexation, planned unit development overlay and preliminary plat for the Reserve at Johnson Ranch, a proposed mixed residential and neighborhood commercial development near the intersection of Old Reserve Drive and Stillwater Road.

The project, submitted by Spartan Holdings LLC and Whispering Trails LLC (files KGPA‑25‑01, KA‑25‑01, KPUD‑25‑01 and KPP‑25‑01), covers about 91.8 acres and would include up to 186 single‑family lots, two multifamily parcels (one with 237 units and one with up to 70 units), and a single commercial lot. The applicant proposed a 10‑acre neighborhood commercial B‑1 node with a 40,000‑square‑foot grocery as part of a maximum 110,000 square feet of building footprint for the commercial area, and a north–south 10‑foot path linking the site. Staff said the high‑density component would be allowed up to 20 units per acre and estimated the multifamily area at about 15.9 units per acre; the urban residential component allows up to 12 units per acre.

Staff recommended approval after finding changed circumstances supporting a growth policy amendment, including recent infrastructure additions (the bypass and West Side interceptor sewer) and adjacent development such as Westview, Starling and other nearby projects. Staff emphasized that the proposed neighborhood commercial area is larger than typical (10 acres versus the 3–5 acres generally recommended in the Kalispell West Neighborhood Plan) and recommended an elevated architectural and landscape design through the PUD conditions to keep the node neighborhood‑scale.

During discussion commissioners asked about grades and park design; staff said a stormwater facility will be retained in a common area and the final park layout and recreational amenities will be determined during subdivision and site review. A member of the public, Keith Regier of 1078 Stillwater Road, raised safety concerns about Stillwater Road’s 90‑degree jogs, heavy gravel‑truck traffic and a drainage depression at the corner adjacent to his property; staff and commissioners noted the project’s traffic impact study (TIS) recommends reserving right‑of‑way for future roundabouts at two 90‑degree turns on Stillwater Road and that MDT approval would be required for approaches to Highway 93 and Reserve Drive.

The commission voted by roll call to recommend the growth policy amendment, to recommend annexation with initial city zoning of R‑3 (residential), RA‑1 (residential apartment) and B‑1 (neighborhood business) with a PUD overlay, and to recommend approval of the Reserve at Johnson Ranch PUD and preliminary plat subject to the conditions in staff reports as amended (the staff report consolidated two frontage improvement conditions into one). Each motion carried on recorded roll calls with affirmative votes by the seven commissioners present.

The Planning Commission’s recommendations proceed to the City Council; staff said the item will appear before council at its first Monday meeting in July and that council-level proceedings on the growth policy amendment will include a resolution of intent and a public hearing before any action is taken.

Speakers who addressed this item at the hearing included staff presenting the application, commissioners during deliberations and one nearby resident during public comment. The commission’s recommendations were unanimous at the Planning Commission hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","6/10/25 City of Kalispell Planning Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Kalispell City Planning Commission on June 10 recommended that the City Council approve a growth policy amendment, annexation, PUD overlay and preliminary plat for the Reserve at Johnson Ranch, a 91.8‑acre mixed residential and neighborhood commercial proposal near Old Reserve Drive and Stillwater Road.","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},6544098,"City staff updates planners on SB‑382 land‑use plan work session and narrows preferred housing strategies",454,5553000,6007000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3806636-fe0d2d75d74a65570a71448329b58d1b&start=5553&end=6007","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3806636-fe0d2d75d74a65570a71448329b58d1b/thumbnail_5553000.jpg","/articles/6544098/Kalispell/Flathead-County/Montana/City-staff-updates-planners-on-SB382-landuse-plan-work-session-and-narrows-preferred-housing-strategies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544098-276d6c5feffa980b9730934d24a664c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770998702&Signature=hJRNACY9RRFLZgJdsI-86AhvmEN2jLYzH340FN2~rWyNs6RW1LEhCB7wfFpRDImxLdQzti6oz7IP5s8NIoesSsZtZ-Sbq~~7xX6pY6ZUUMtg6QmVsvwN4e7EPXpyuCdgafHYkQFIHNf-D6g9PV2enD9qcZxeDrZOWuSYbX4qokDnBAzN3chC4QJhVcYot9bBD7InUjpZGBBlp1Vd1lp6BDS2piNBquMMq5J9s9pSeZgqqLiK5ukOnR0-Jl6yW9dUKWpmJcYHtbLSGud~CB39Kg5aaly1tr5m632LlXjB7S7s7SmurssY~TtHP7tWZNBM-QQe1Ksbq0t38WsJ~8j50A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff on June 10 presented an update on Kalispell’s land‑use plan revision to comply with Montana Senate Bill 382 and led a work session on housing strategies that will be incorporated into the draft plan.

Staff said the land use plan update replaces the Kalispell Growth Policy Plan 2035 to meet SB‑382 requirements, which require local plans to address seven core elements including housing, infrastructure and natural resources. Staff reported outreach since March that included interactive workshops, stakeholder meetings with builders, first responders, health providers and schools, and online engagement through engagekalispell.com. Staff said the housing element is in draft and the team is progressing on land use and infrastructure modeling with a target to finalize the draft for public review by late summer and to forward an adopted plan to the Montana Department of Commerce.

The commission discussed the state‑required list of 14 potential housing strategies and narrowed them into “preferred” and “non‑preferred” groups for inclusion in the draft plan. Preferred options staff identified with commissioner support included allowing duplexes/duplex‑type accessory dwelling units in single‑family zones (subject to state law and local standards), permitting ADUs in a variety of configurations (attached or detached), reducing parking requirements to align with state guidance, allowing single‑room occupancy and similar missing‑middle housing types, modest reductions in minimum lot size (staff noted the city has already approved smaller lots in PUDs), and allowing apartments as a permitted use in many commercial zones. Staff noted overlap in some options (the plan must pick at least five distinct strategies) and recommended choices that mostly align with existing city practices while meeting SB‑382 requirements.

Non‑preferred options identified included broader removal of setbacks, more permissive lot‑divisions (triplexes/fourplexes everywhere) and wide reductions in design standards for apartment buildings; staff said those measures had limited public support in outreach. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about how ADUs would be defined (attached duplex versus detached accessory structure), how parking and emergency access would be addressed, and how conditional‑use review could be preserved in practice given state limits on public hearings for some discretionary actions. Staff noted implementation of plan policies would require subsequent zoning and subdivision code updates and additional public review.

Staff said public engagement remains open through August and that a “draft plan celebration” and a formal public hearing will occur before any final adoption. The planning commission scheduled additional work sessions to continue land‑use plan review.","Staff updated the Planning Commission on the draft land use plan required by Montana’s SB‑382, reported outreach results and discussed a set of preferred and non‑preferred housing strategies to include in the draft plan.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6544103,"Commission recommends annexation and B‑2 zoning for Corwin Motors expansion site on US‑93 North",501,4792000,5293000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3806636-fe0d2d75d74a65570a71448329b58d1b&start=4792&end=5293","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3806636-fe0d2d75d74a65570a71448329b58d1b/thumbnail_4792000.jpg","/articles/6544103/Kalispell/Flathead-County/Montana/Commission-recommends-annexation-and-B2-zoning-for-Corwin-Motors-expansion-site-on-US93-North","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544103-8fec7e5a7e57f201c15cb7c2882d3b79/orig.mp4?Expires=1770998702&Signature=AK4MEEwBkl-lyjETwN7Ig3YoQYh3ON9CAbCPFHYW7khIRq95u3W2TxaScwdiGqalMCO6ZIRuFEynEwb~uAZ2c7NxqsiCkyYEGXxUDz~hzad-Ox7cM1EnNwaVwZ0xemYTm0agPO5X1-UjRfSq8hHo7Qdgc5ve4o-qUN-6-WLpNPYll1Ao~bcEJMZRpdiIolwIv1Dfo7gBz0DZGvdSRO2H2I5T7cfdFQseBUZi3QqsFwG~NM3c~PtZWfNZ2Gx7CpaJnubRJRm-ZNgIpl6LIGFtnAQWBmxwCFsmFYjdQ7m1mNlyPSaTfdky2jE8oexggYkDKHve7C4su1KK5bzrbatO1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kalispell Planning Commission on June 10 recommended the annexation of two parcels at 2577 and 2585 US Highway 93 North (7.183 acres total) and initial city B‑2 general business zoning to accommodate an expansion of the Corwin Motors dealership.

Staff reported the properties lie adjacent to existing city limits and within the city’s annexation boundary. The parcels are currently in Flathead County and proposed for annexation to provide consistent municipal services, city water, sewer and refuse, and to allow the applicant to expand the dealership’s reconditioning operations. The applicant submitted a notice of withdrawal from the West Valley Rural Fire District; upon annexation fire protection would be provided by the Kalispell Fire Department (Station 62).

Staff said the growth‑policy future land use map designates the site as commercial and that B‑2 general business zoning is consistent with adjacent city parcels and the corridor’s pattern of highway‑oriented commercial uses. Utilities (electricity via Flathead Electric Cooperative, natural gas via Northwestern Energy and phone via Lumen) were described as available or extendable and the applicant said Montana Department of Transportation access is limited; the applicant’s representative said MDT will allow only the existing northern approach due to sight distance and guardrail constraints.

On roll call the Planning Commission adopted the staff report and recommended annexation with initial B‑2 zoning; the item advances to City Council for final action at its July meeting.","The commission voted to recommend annexation and initial city B‑2 zoning for two parcels totaling 7.183 acres north of the existing Corwin Motors property to facilitate a reconditioning shop and expansion of the dealership.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6544106,"Planning commission recommends conditional‑use permit for accessory casino inside proposed downtown restaurant at 214 S. Main",248,4472000,4720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3806636-fe0d2d75d74a65570a71448329b58d1b&start=4472&end=4720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3806636-fe0d2d75d74a65570a71448329b58d1b/thumbnail_4472000.jpg","/articles/6544106/Kalispell/Flathead-County/Montana/Planning-commission-recommends-conditionaluse-permit-for-accessory-casino-inside-proposed-downtown-restaurant-at-214-S-Main","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544106-21cbf764454dbf4c585b9225b4ccb56b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770998702&Signature=Jx8sAAHXbhc~~eZUrap9BaBb24T2Vnx~FqQ0Ddc6dwokxUEN44TAfsKOurNAG5anVvJFwGCVx3~bKV6IWaTau8DI5phEgyHIbeL96nrJK2~2D95N3HEFNXNnH4tbQ0xyKKjzjQ9ftsmw6FwT0SeFgxfCznh3Hs9OsM8dIjuR7t2s2UILSQNPhMjyWa6C-PSF6J677mj7pYkFvvnZD55s8TKnA5x7zmu7VWkxTqoei8tz07PGTN50FTn7Arl8U1fnPXysIngGQjefiw2tbLejq2eyn13KvHtCvu43JgxT1pp8I8AR95iqSPnLjyK~2edz4PkpbVffkbOVAu3puEPkzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kalispell Planning Commission recommended approval June 10 of a conditional use permit to allow an accessory casino within a proposed full‑service restaurant and bar at 214 South Main Street (file KCUDash25Dash03).

Planner Donnie McBath (Planner II) told commissioners the project would adaptively reuse an existing roughly 11,068‑square‑foot downtown building; 959 square feet of that area is proposed for gaming. Under B‑4 Central Business zoning, restaurants and bars are permitted uses, but casino gaming requires a conditional use permit. Staff described the gaming space as incidental and subordinate to the restaurant, to be fully enclosed with permanent walls and a standard door, with no exterior signage referencing gaming. The application includes interior renovations only; no exterior modifications were proposed. Staff also noted the B‑4 zone exempts the project from on‑site parking requirements and said the site is well supported by public parking and walkable infrastructure in downtown Kalispell.

Staff recommended approval with conditions that preserve the accessory nature of the gaming area, restrict signage referencing gaming, and require all applicable permits and licenses. Commissioners discussed concerns about casinos in downtown but noted the benefit of activating a vacant building. No members of the public spoke during the public comment period on this item.

On a recorded roll call the commission adopted the staff report and recommended approval of the conditional use permit to the City Council, subject to the conditions in the staff report.","Commission recommended approval of a conditional‑use permit to allow a small accessory casino area within a proposed Mountain Prime restaurant at 214 South Main Street; staff said the gaming area (959 sq ft) is incidental to the restaurant and below the 20% accessory‑use threshold.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6544112,"Commission recommends annexation, PUD amendment and preliminary plat for Anderson Ranch (Colton Bear application)",4095,311000,4406000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3806636-fe0d2d75d74a65570a71448329b58d1b&start=311&end=4406","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3806636-fe0d2d75d74a65570a71448329b58d1b/thumbnail_311000.jpg","/articles/6544112/Kalispell/Flathead-County/Montana/Commission-recommends-annexation-PUD-amendment-and-preliminary-plat-for-Anderson-Ranch-Colton-Bear-application","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6544112-cb2f84521b6b4f7d2a4015a74b922943/orig.mp4?Expires=1770998702&Signature=YlvBzQqglEXNJYSqHkukj8-fcwMBw5SZTa4rnaBCawqy07UzqA~oVy4cp2x1Rad2s4t9MySrGqPrPOgGS7s8Jct-qP0dS9xVwud~lGJLHqsU2CjR7uOLI3CULzVQ2dyuCnXNGUqxNI1JcD7mdKcD2ty1qTSALM8l4Uq09Ti5USFGrhKJZJg5qKq81WzjtMQl9XoQWgbyWuhBsh5pMs1aaJWGXg7cHTSnrPiNQxBi06E-WHhVPkimDaDoLULlhNcclY1JAKYzYVwx-uXbT--Fn8Gq6oTquynWIIVWClAEnu4urd0210441TSFNTeRFk1oYUB55FqjqEyRsWG09QQmmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kalispell City Planning Commission on June 10 recommended that the City Council approve annexation, a PUD amendment and a preliminary plat for the Anderson Ranch residential component submitted by Colton Bear (files KA‑25‑03, KPUD‑25‑02, KPP‑25‑02).

The amendment covers roughly 42.5 acres overall and would annex approximately 11.7 acres of the tract that had remained in Flathead County, completing the residential section of a larger PED (PUD) that was partially annexed in 2024 as part of the Gardner/Anderson Ranch development. The proposal would create about 166 single‑family lots (3.9 units per acre), with internal collector streets, two park areas and a centrally located sewer lift station that shared infrastructure with adjacent developments (staff highlighted the shared lift station and stormwater relocation as primary reasons to review the two PED components together).

Staff reported that utilities (water and sewer) are available and that traffic impact studies submitted by Ableton Traffic Services and Kimley‑Horn identify intersection improvements and mitigation phased by development; staff said mitigation measures identified in the TIS would be required as phases come forward. The project includes three zoning deviations in the PUD: reduced minimum lot size (proposal minimum 4,161 square feet versus 6,000 required), limitations on accessory dwelling units as part of the PUD, and a reduced minimum lot width (45 feet versus 50 required). Staff said the lot size and width deviations were intended to support more attainable housing while keeping overall density within growth policy limits. A subdivision deviation was also requested to allow a narrowed 40‑foot street section as an interim measure until adjoining property develops.

Staff told the commission that the site includes floodplain and wetlands and that parkland counting would exclude unusable wetland and steep slope areas; the applicant must provide developed amenities to make up any shortfall in usable recreational acreage. Staff also reviewed geotechnical reports noting potential for seismically induced liquefaction settlement in design‑level earthquakes; the applicant’s addendum proposes single‑story prefabricated homes without natural gas to reduce life‑safety concerns, and staff required an updated geotechnical report and building‑foundation recommendations before engineering approval.

A representative of the applicant said the parties are cooperating with adjoining developers on access, lift station and drainage connections. Staff also notified the commission that Lamar Outdoor Advertising sent a letter objecting to a PUD condition that requires removal of billboards along Highway 93 as part of the larger PED; staff disclosed the legal notice but did not recommend tabling the matter.

On roll call the commission adopted staff reports and recommended annexation with initial R‑3 zoning (with PUD overlay), approved the PUD amendment and approved the preliminary plat for Anderson Ranch, each subject to conditions in the published staff reports. The commissions’ recommendations proceed to City Council for final action; staff said the items are scheduled for the July council meeting.","The Planning Commission voted to recommend annexation of about 11.7 acres into the city and to approve a PUD amendment and preliminary plat for the Anderson Ranch residential component, a 166‑lot subdivision tied to the larger Gardner/Anderson Ranch PUD.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission backs Reserve at Johnson Ranch growth‑policy change, annexation, PUD and preliminary plat

City staff updates planners on SB‑382 land‑use plan work session and narrows preferred housing strategies

Commission recommends annexation and B‑2 zoning for Corwin Motors expansion site on US‑93 North

Planning commission recommends conditional‑use permit for accessory casino inside proposed downtown restaurant at 214 S. Main

Commission recommends annexation, PUD amendment and preliminary plat for Anderson Ranch (Colton Bear application)