Kalispell planning commission recommends allowing pedestrian skybridges to encroach into front and corner setbacks

The Kalispell Planning Commission on Jan. 14 recommended that the City Council adopt a zoning text amendment to permit pedestrian skybridges to encroach into front and side corner setback areas in specified zones.

City planning staff told the commission the amendment, filed as KZTA24-01 by LPW Architecture on behalf of Emmanuel Living, would allow pedestrian skybridges that connect two buildings in business (B), health care (H) or public (P) zones to extend over a public or private right-of-way and encroach into front or side corner setbacks, so long as “all other applicable zoning and other code requirements are satisfied.” Staff said encroachment into a public right-of-way would still require a separate encroachment permit from Public Works and that construction details would be reviewed through building permits.

The amendment text quoted by staff reads in part: “Notwithstanding any setbacks specified in this ordinance, a pedestrian skybridge connecting two buildings located in any B, H, or P zone, which extends over a public or private right-of-way, may encroach into the front or side corner setback area provided that all other applicable zoning and other code requirements are satisfied.” City staff recommended the commission adopt the staff findings (staff report KZTA24-01) and forward the amendment to the City Council with a recommendation of approval.

Commission discussion focused on public-safety and accessibility benefits. One commissioner said the bridge would “separate vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic” and improve access for people using wheelchairs; another described the connection as improving cohesion between paired facilities. Staff noted two existing skybridges in Kalispell — one in the downtown B-4 central business zone (which has no setbacks) and a county agency connection across 11th Street West that had been exempt from zoning — and explained this proposal is not a review of a specific skybridge but would enable a planned connection across Claremont by Emmanuel Living.

A motion to accept file KZTA24-01 and recommend it to the City Council carried on a roll call vote. The official tally recorded commissioners voting in favor and the motion carrying; one commissioner recused from the item because of involvement with the project. Staff said first reading before the City Council would be Feb. 3.

The Planning Commission record and staff report KZTA24-01 note that allowing skybridges could further transportation and pedestrian-safety policies in the city’s growth policy by creating separation between vehicles and pedestrians. The amendment leaves technical construction, code clearances and right-of-way permits to building and public works processes.