[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6551755,"mediaKeyId","5327943-7f30ce9adf379872fced40b9706ddeb5","parentId",5327943,"title","Kalispell council roundup: annexations, collective bargaining pact, biosolids reimbursement and other actions","audioSeconds",5834,"startMs",130000,"endMs",5964000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5327943-7f30ce9adf379872fced40b9706ddeb5&start=130&end=5964","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5327943-7f30ce9adf379872fced40b9706ddeb5/thumbnail_130000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6551755/Kalispell/Flathead-County/Montana/Kalispell-council-roundup-annexations-collective-bargaining-pact-biosolids-reimbursement-and-other-actions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551755-1bba92068385a0e19157e4aa1aee6ced/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200065&Signature=fV6ZLmrXuafZA~SalNhLMgT~tjqdGRJHRAOvkzzl2kw~cKg4DVE1q3dMfGopjIYRxoRWw1Ol2-VqlIJ5lGD~Y9NYC6TO~tQv3bDBVsP3DXxsnvKrLDGR0rezruNYckPiwbuiWLu~zURibHCPCtIZ-b3KSM1LzOQ0uo3LxH6YJ8-tx~fZTFFvQEzzfCqitAIRj-CYePMnG5JNxDB9kVKKyEs5qE02Li1R4NumcBnihVl6iuiIRorp8tsWYqrzKmKDE2EaUuf9kweD8JP7v59qMeG1NzbkyUt-TnTY3JVoYXzXuT4y8U20Hd0znex85uq52OI7SmVdeVSJKT1CqX~JHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Kalispell, MT","date","2025-07-03T18:56:38Z","article","At its July 7 meeting the City of Kalispell City Council took votes on a range of routine and contested items, approving several annexations and zoning actions, ratifying a labor contract and authorizing bond reimbursement intent. A proposed update to police and fire impact fees failed (see separate article).

Key outcomes and votes at a glance:

- Consent agenda (approved): Council approved minutes for two June meetings, awarded the Depot Building roof replacement project to Ace Roofing for $213,243 and approved work change directives and change orders for the Fermentor Rehabilitation project. The consent agenda passed on voice vote.

- Anderson Ranch (see separate article): Annexation (Resolution 62-62), PUD amendment (Ordinance 19-38) and preliminary plat (Resolution 62-63) were approved after staff presentation and council discussion.

- Reserve at Johnson Ranch (Resolution 62-64): Council adopted a resolution of intent to set a public hearing on July 21, 2025, to consider a proposed growth-policy amendment for properties near Old Reserve Drive and Stillwater Road. Motion carried unanimously.

- Corwin Motors annexation and initial B-2 zoning: The council approved Resolution 62-65 to annex two tracts (totaling 7.183 acres) to be known as Corwin Motors Addition and adopted Ordinance 19-39 to zone the property city B-2 general business. The annexation and zoning were approved by roll call.

- Biosolids deep-watering project reimbursement (Resolution 62-67): Council declared intent to reimburse certain original expenditures related to equipping an advanced wastewater treatment plant from future tax-exempt bond proceeds; motion carried.

- Collective bargaining agreement with IAFF Local 547: Council approved the ratified agreement with the Kalispell firefighters' union, a three-year contract that includes a market reset and then 4% adjustments in years two and three, increased paramedic pay and training reimbursement; motion carried.

Items left for future action or follow-up:

- Police and fire impact fee update (Resolution 62-66) failed on roll call; existing fee schedules remain in place.

- City manager recruitment: Council held initial discussion and several members volunteered to serve on a subcommittee to work with HR and advise the council on recruitment steps and potential use of an executive search firm; no final subcommittee membership was formally voted at the meeting.

Procedural notes: Several motions passed by roll call with unanimous ayes among councilors present; where staff recommended conditions (for land-use approvals and the CUP), approvals were conditional on those staff-listed items being met. Councilors asked staff for follow-up on technical items including traffic-warrant analyses, geotechnical updates and the status of grant or levy funding for capital projects.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","7/7/25 Kalispell City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","On July 7 the council approved multiple land-use annexations and zoning ordinances, ratified a firefighter collective bargaining agreement, authorized reimbursement intent for a biosolids project, and set a public hearing on a growth-policy amendment; a proposed change to police and fire impact fees failed.","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},6551760,"Council rejects proposed increases to police and fire impact fees after committee recommendations and state law change",949,4889000,5838000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5327943-7f30ce9adf379872fced40b9706ddeb5&start=4889&end=5838","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5327943-7f30ce9adf379872fced40b9706ddeb5/thumbnail_4889000.jpg","/articles/6551760/Kalispell/Flathead-County/Montana/Council-rejects-proposed-increases-to-police-and-fire-impact-fees-after-committee-recommendations-and-state-law-change","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551760-f7e874764f2f7d5e0580edcd749c8b3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200065&Signature=o0575HkHCdORzUR2VBKF6t0oZwpXj~yGAKU1VGyfGeYMBV4u9fvR--HoaDelb~S3a4f8joSzubrW6V~y-OKCw0anyACwAVufPMuq9pwNPva~57NZYlsyi-ggxajCVn8WMhq0ZJoceuXFKv9tCfZVON-5xpTW8f-lbDHm6FK2Sz13ZRJPQWe3EJtb~a~4IDc5fr6PZT64ggE1LtlmWIaFM8xojEmaUIZseWr~ZFOP8i-FVWjIXYUakBw6SDujcNVe-FhM4PjRpZ2m~jt0qFsT17hUSorf3N-euNvk1BZM7Ozoq2DL0yQESjCu~TL2ynuN8erzdGqwKNDGMnT7EaynAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kalispell City Council declined on July 7 to adopt proposed changes to police and fire impact fees that the city's impact-fee committee had recommended and that staff updated to comply with recent state law.

City staff told council the draft changes reflected the committee's recommended \"calculated allowable\" fees and had been updated to remove an administrative surcharge after recent state legislation. \"As I start off, you know, we had, basically, a pretty close memo to this at our work session and then, incorporated state law that was passed to remove the administrative fee from the allowable impact fee,\" the staff presenter said, adding he had discovered a historical table typo for fire fees in an appendix but that recommended calculated allowables remained correct.

Staff also said the city previously used an administrative fee to cover costs such as credit-card charges; with the administrative fee removed by state law (Senate Bill 133) the city will instead impose any applicable credit-card surcharge directly on the payer if they elect to pay by card.

Council debate focused on the distributional effects of impact fees and housing affordability. Councilor Hunter said he supports development paying its share of infrastructure impacts and called the proposed amounts \"reasonable.\" Councilor Dowd and Councilor Graham argued that impact fees ultimately are paid by renters or buyers and can increase housing costs, with Graham noting prior reductions in impact fees to support affordable housing. Councilor Graham said he would oppose increases; Councilor Dowd said he could not justify adding fees that would raise apartment costs in the current housing market.

Councilor Hunter moved adoption of Resolution 62-66 to amend police and fire schedules; Councilor Gabriel seconded. The roll-call vote failed (Councilor Hunter voted yes; Councilors Graham, Dowd, Fisher, Nunley, Carlson, Gabriel and Mayor Johnson voted no), and the existing fee schedules remain in place.

Why it matters: Impact fees fund capital needs (police facilities, fire stations/apparatus) attributable to new development. Changes to fee schedules affect development pro forma and, by extension, housing costs. Staff noted the fire fees were calculated based on capital needs for stations and apparatus and police fees on projected personnel and facility needs over a planning horizon; the committee recommended calculated-allowable amounts but staff corrected historical table entries in the report prior to final adoption.

Next steps: With the resolution failed, existing schedules stay in effect. Councilors discussed continued review of fee policy and potential options such as targeted reductions for affordable housing, and staff said grants and levy funds could cover capital needs if fees are not increased.","Council voted down a resolution to adopt revised police and fire impact fees reflecting Impact Fee Committee recommendations and changes in state law that removed administrative fees; the resolution failed after debates about housing affordability and fee pass-through to renters and buyers.",{"_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},6551765,"Council approves conditional use permit for Mountain Prime Steakhouse with enclosed accessory casino",1072,3165000,4237000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5327943-7f30ce9adf379872fced40b9706ddeb5&start=3165&end=4237","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5327943-7f30ce9adf379872fced40b9706ddeb5/thumbnail_3165000.jpg","/articles/6551765/Kalispell/Flathead-County/Montana/Council-approves-conditional-use-permit-for-Mountain-Prime-Steakhouse-with-enclosed-accessory-casino","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551765-1140c5e3162181b03af077ddbbff2419/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200065&Signature=LKLio5tOfBWdymAMFd-jfEqz6GS~WUfZ6ZiT2gxoegEPcqLSXECWMAesaib~E1kWIGZIt~9Mq5w3jhdJxRrvsXcIbtDNMRbpDgp~~GNBZFq~5X-YbYf0CvXhtA~6YusJYic5SBytGlzu97IXUqKCY~jTNYtH8u7sqBkaduwKGhZ3QzSpIlHDUoiQbwVYiumlKjQwC4u6PlnHLTpJaJQre1gN6G5ZiddAmR4EfOhefkSIYXLGgUdXjXwORZ8z9HlWHAT4CAA24YpRKRvYEU57wo17S23T5kFVXix8MhBrmoKQHpWkguGR8fCDuIgOOpHyuyn1Z8DEA8~yrCskqp8SQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Kalispell on July 7 approved a conditional use permit for a downtown full-service restaurant that will include a small, enclosed accessory gaming area.

Donny Macbeth, Planner 2, presented the staff report outlining the request from Tony Tran to convert an existing downtown building at 214 South Main Street into the proposed Mountain Prime Steakhouse with a gaming area of 959 square feet within an overall 11,068 square-foot layout. \"The proposed gaming area is well under the 20% maximum allowed for accessory use,\" Macbeth said. The B-4 zoning district allows restaurants and bars by right but requires a conditional-use permit for casino uses.

The Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions to ensure the gaming area remains secondary, enclosed with permanent walls and a standard door, and that signage not reference gaming. The CUP also requires all applicable permits and a traffic-impact study; staff said no exterior building or facade changes were proposed.

Council debate reflected divergent views on casinos. Councilor Hunter said he opposes casinos on principle but felt the city’s regulatory and liquor-license context constrains the council’s options: \"I will support it as I have in the past when these have come before us, but I do so reluctantly because I don't think they're good for our community.\" Councilor Dowd and Councilor Graham said they support business choice and noted the accessory-casino framework was intended to help restaurants obtain expensive liquor licenses while keeping gaming subordinate.

Architect Patrick Conover and owner Tony Tran were present; Conover said a traffic study had been submitted and that the business will comply with local regulations. The council moved to approve the conditional-use permit KCUD-25-03 subject to the ten conditions of approval listed in the staff report; the motion, moved by Councilor Dowd and seconded by Councilor Carlson, passed by roll call with all councilors voting aye.

Why it matters: The CUP enables adaptive reuse of a downtown building and seeks to balance economic revitalization and liquor-license realities with zoning limits on gaming. The approval includes enforceable conditions requiring substantial conformance: \"The development and use of the site shall be in substantial conformance with the submitted application and architectural site plan drawings,\" staff told the council.

Next steps: The applicant must obtain any required city permits, comply with CUP conditions and complete the traffic-impact study review; staff will monitor substantial conformance to the approved plans.","Council granted a conditional use permit for an 11,068 sq ft downtown restaurant with a 959 sq ft enclosed accessory gaming area, requiring conditions to maintain gaming as subordinate and enclosed; councilors debated the social impacts of casinos but approved the CUP unanimously.",{"_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},6551769,"Kalispell council approves annexation, PUD amendment and preliminary plat for Anderson Ranch",1743,1264000,3007000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5327943-7f30ce9adf379872fced40b9706ddeb5&start=1264&end=3007","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5327943-7f30ce9adf379872fced40b9706ddeb5/thumbnail_1264000.jpg","/articles/6551769/Kalispell/Flathead-County/Montana/Kalispell-council-approves-annexation-PUD-amendment-and-preliminary-plat-for-Anderson-Ranch","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551769-2eec7d0af4e7d483ea5f01cf40419244/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200065&Signature=PdlOoCKYyyzJkkju~oEyczlG8aRRTrHRy9iRMDfshb9-uz9U950USW5Kbg7TusWALS6T7uycR30OydypQ0~Pi8R3~quZMS9iVrOnxGpFMJ3dwVbTSo3Rd9umSGEz-nn2peoCGffzMpDxhw5o7bS5Qt7br8ou4rFJy5ipFssvwS2wqEJ8wsAj3nclUwGiBq3~jiIsX6RLhTelNq~NnemY0j4D6IndP9x03v2EhIWrekR22S8qjoZPSJO4jZunpZWUisYHpuUXFyTetxkKQOK~IX0GZDP295hvVbtICGeVMPHXEhvnfIHswNEEcS6JwJwlV6gle~iIFXPAzpvfWiOGdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kalispell City Council on July 7 approved annexing 11.744 acres and adopting an amendment to the Anderson Ranch planned unit development, and conditionally approved the preliminary plat for a 42.5-acre subdivision that would create 166 residential lots.

The decisions advance a long-running Gardner/Anderson Ranch project that includes commercial and residential components along U.S. Highway 93 South. Assistant Director of Development Services PJ Sorensen told the council the applications, submitted by Colton Bear, would annex the remaining 11.7 acres of the tract and add the residential component to the previously approved PUD. \"Colton Bear submitted applications for Anderson Ranch, which includes request for annexation, initial zoning of R-3 residential with a PUD overlay and preliminary plat approval for 166 residential lots on approximately 42 and a half acres,\" Sorensen said.

The council's votes approved three related items: Resolution 62-62 to alter city boundaries and annex the parcel, Ordinance 19-38 amending the Anderson Ranch PUD, and Resolution 62-63 conditionally approving the preliminary plat. Councilor Dowd moved the annexation resolution; Councilor Carlson moved the PUD ordinance; Councilor Dowd moved the preliminary plat resolution. Roll-call votes were unanimous among council members present, and each motion carried.

Why it matters: The project would add market-rate housing aimed in part at \"blue collar and young families,\" according to council remarks, provide new public improvements and require infrastructure extensions along DeMarsville Road, Lower Valley Road and a future collector connecting to Highway 93. Staff said water and sewer capacity is available and a lift station will serve both sides of the development.

Council and staff highlighted several conditions and studies required before final approval. Staff said the development will include a lift station, relocated stormwater ponds, and full frontage improvements along DeMarsville as the subdivision develops. Sorensen reported the project anticipates a traffic signal at an extended Bar H Road/Highway 93 intersection; the project's traffic impact studies require warrant analyses as phases proceed and MD T (Montana Department of Transportation) will determine when warrants are met.

The council also considered three requested deviations in the PUD amendment: reduced minimum lot size (proposed minimum 4,161 sq ft versus R-3 standard 6,000 sq ft), a reduced minimum lot width (45 feet versus typical 50 feet), and a narrower temporary right of way segment in one location (a reduced street section). Sorensen said most lots would be about 4,500 sq ft, and the smaller lot sizes were proposed to yield more attainable housing while keeping overall density within the city growth policy limit of 4 units per acre. The PUD would also include limitations on accessory dwelling units as a PD (planned development) condition.

Geology and floodplain issues drew questions. Sorensen summarized a geotechnical addendum noting potential for up to 6 inches of seismically induced settlement in a design-level earthquake (a 2% chance in 50 years) and said the current intent is single-story prefabricated homes with no natural gas connections; \"life safety concerns regarding liquefaction and de-settlement are significantly alleviated,\" he said, while recommending a structural engineer confirm foundations and an updated geotechnical submission before public-works engineering approval. The property contains wetlands and areas in the 100-year floodplain; staff noted required 100-foot setbacks from delineated wetlands and said any work in the floodplain would require a flood-plain development permit.

Councilor Hunter voiced continuing concern about discharging treated stormwater into existing wetland habitat and asked whether the treatment proposed would remove heavy metals from runoff. Sorensen said the planned system would include a hydrodynamic separator to remove total suspended solids and oils prior to discharge, but filters specifically designed to remove metals were not part of the current design and would require additional water-quality treatment.

Eric Mulcahy of Sand Surveying, representing the applicant, and Brandon Tice, the civil engineer, were present and said the applicant concurs with staff recommendations.

The council approved the annexation and PUD amendment with conditions listed in staff reports and the preliminary plat approval contingent on the listed engineering and geotechnical updates and other standard conditions.

Looking ahead: Staff will require updated geotechnical reports and foundation recommendations, finalized utility and stormwater designs, and traffic warrant analyses tied to phasing before engineering approval and building permits.","City Council approved annexation of 11.7 acres, an amendment to the Anderson Ranch planned unit development and a preliminary plat for 166 lots after staff described utilities, stormwater, geological and traffic conditions and councilors questioned wetland and stormwater impacts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Kalispell council roundup: annexations, collective bargaining pact, biosolids reimbursement and other actions

Council rejects proposed increases to police and fire impact fees after committee recommendations and state law change

Council approves conditional use permit for Mountain Prime Steakhouse with enclosed accessory casino

Kalispell council approves annexation, PUD amendment and preliminary plat for Anderson Ranch