Kalispell planning commission approves annexation, postpones conditional-use permit for 99-unit North Meadows apartments

The Kalispell City Planning Commission on July 8 recommended annexation and initial RA-1 zoning for a proposed 99-unit multifamily development at 1859 South Meadows Drive, but the commission declined to grant the project's conditional-use permit and instead tabled the CUP for additional information and developer response.

Donnie Baff, Planner 2 for the city, described the application as "a request for annexation, initial zoning to RA-1, [and] a conditional use permit for a new residential development in Kalispell," and said the project "supports the city's goals for compact growth, housing diversity, and responsible infill." The applicant proposes annexing approximately 12.13 acres, building seven two‑story apartment buildings with a clubhouse and associated amenities, and preserving roughly 4.8 acres of open space and a riparian buffer along Ashley Creek.

The commission voted to recommend annexation and the RA‑1 zoning. The motion and roll-call votes were recorded in the meeting minutes and show the commission forwarded the annexation and zoning recommendation to city council. Commissioners recorded on the roll call as voting on the annexation and zoning recommendation were Pip Burke (aye), Joshua Borgart (aye), Doug Kaufman (yes),…