Kalispell council approves Silverbrook Village PUD amendment allowing 198 condos, mixed commercial space

Kalispell — The City Council voted to approve an amendment to the Silverbrook Village Planned Unit Development that increases allowed density on two lots to accommodate roughly 198 condominium units and neighborhood commercial uses, after staff and a project consultant said services and access are available and after residents raised concerns about drainage, emergency access and neighborhood character.

Why it matters: The approval increases the overall maximum unit count allowed in the Silverbrook PED from the existing approvals and will bring more ownership‑style housing into a growth node near Highway 93 and Church Drive. Council and staff said the proposal is substantially consistent with the city’s growth policy but must meet a list of conditions, including traffic mitigation tied to Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) criteria.

Assistant Director PJ Sorensen and staff described the proposal and its consistency with Kalispell’s growth policy and zoning. Sorensen said the 11.7‑acre parcel (addresses listed in staff materials) is already zoned B‑1 neighborhood business with a PUD overlay; the amendment would keep the underlying zoning and increase approved residential density, adding mixed‑use buildings with commercial on the ground floor and housing above.

Staff noted the property lies within the Whitefish School District, the project would provide about 16.9 units per acre overall for the amended area, and that the PED allows higher densities in its “neighborhood commercial/high‑density residential node.” The project layout shows smaller two‑unit buildings toward the single‑family edge and larger buildings adjacent to Highway 93, with pedestrian connections and a proposed tie‑in to a nearby bike path.

A traffic impact study prepared by WGM Group (June 2025) recommended constructing an eastbound right‑turn lane at the US‑93 southbound ramp and Church Drive intersection based on MDT criteria; staff said approval from MDT would be required to construct that improvement. The applicant is also required to implement any mitigation necessary to maintain city service levels at impacted intersections.

Public comment included opposition to higher density from several residents and neighborhood stakeholders citing past drainage, snow‑storage and emergency‑vehicle concerns. Kyle Voitlander, a local candidate who lives in the West Side/Ward 3 area, urged councilors to reject denser development in areas “that can’t handle it,” citing local flooding and snow storage issues in parts of Silverbrook. Multiple residents echoed concerns about stormwater and emergency access.

Mike Bridal, deputy with Gem Group and a project consultant, clarified that the application is an amendment to the PUD and does not seek a zone change. He said the residential proposal would actually yield less impervious surface than the previously proposed commercial plan for those lots. Bridal also noted the applicant’s traffic analysis found residential trips comparable to the earlier commercial scenario, with a small difference in morning/evening peak trips.

Council members discussed PUD flexibility and the role of private applicants bringing projects forward. After questions to staff about drainage complaints and fire response, the council adopted the ordinance amending the Silverbrook PUD (Ordinance 19‑41) by roll call vote; the planning commission had forwarded a recommendation of approval subject to 21 conditions.

Ending: The council approved the PUD amendment; the approvals are conditioned on the planning commission’s listed conditions, future design review, public‑works review of drainage capacity and any MDT‑required traffic mitigation. The project will return to staff for building permits and infrastructure review under those conditions.