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Council approves Silverbrook Village PUD amendment to add 198 condominium units
Summary
Council adopted the first reading of an amendment to the Silverbrook planned unit development allowing a 198‑unit condominium component in a mixed‑use configuration, after staff described infrastructure capacity and design features.
The Kalispell City Council voted to approve on first reading an amendment to the Silverbrook Village planned unit development (Ordinance 19‑41) that would add up to 198 residential condominium units and about 20,400 square feet of neighborhood business within a mixed‑use layout on roughly 11.7 acres at Diamond Peak Drive.
City staff presented the application and said the site is already zoned B‑1 with a PUD overlay and that the growth policy designates the area for neighborhood commercial and high‑density residential use. PJ Sorensen, assistant director of development services (staff presentation), described the project as a blend of two‑unit townhomes, mixed‑use buildings with commercial on the ground floor and residential above, and larger multi‑unit buildings located toward Highway 93. Staff said sewer, water and streets are available in the vicinity and that the developer provided a traffic impact study recommending a turn lane at the US‑93/Church Drive interchange that would require Montana Department of Transportation approval.
Public comment included opposition from residents worried about drainage, snow storage and neighborhood character and support from the applicant’s consultant, who said the proposed residential use would create less impervious area than the commercial option previously planned and that trip generation differences are small. Mike Bridal of the consultant team told the council the applicant’s stormwater analysis showed the site would tie into existing facilities and that the mixed‑use plan would provide ownership housing types not otherwise common in the market.
Councilors discussed PUD flexibility and noted the increased density fits within growth policy guidance for a neighborhood commercial/high‑density node. Councilor Hunter said he welcomed the mixed‑use “main street” frontage and the combination of housing types. Councilor Dowd asked staff to reopen the public comment period briefly for one person who had arrived late; the council heard comments and proceeded.
A roll call vote approved the ordinance on first reading. Council members who spoke said conditions will ensure on‑site drainage, pedestrian connections and any necessary improvements are reviewed through building and site review permits and that any required mitigation from the traffic impact study would be implemented.
The PUD amendment was forwarded by the Kalispell Planning Commission with a recommendation to approve subject to 21 conditions; the council approved the ordinance on first reading and will consider subsequent readings and final action in follow‑up meetings.
