Planning commission backs annexation, rezoning to create Ashley Creek parkland

The Kalispell City Planning Commission voted unanimously Aug. 12 to recommend that the City Council annex approximately 25.7 acres of land and rezone an additional 10.5 acres from B-1 (neighborhood business) to P-1 (public) to assemble roughly 36 acres for a park and conservation of the Ashley Creek corridor.

Planner Donnie Macbeth told commissioners the joint application from Biblar (Biblio) Resources Company and the City of Kalispell would create a contiguous public open space that spans parcels owned by the company and parcels already owned by the city but outside city limits. The annexation and rezoning together would reclassify the land to P-1 public, allowing parks, trails and other public facilities and enabling city stewardship of the creek corridor.

Macbeth said the site lies within the city’s annexation boundary, is surrounded by city zoning on three sides and aligns with Kalispell’s growth policy goals for protecting natural corridors, improving recreation and supporting “smart growth.” Staff noted sewer, water and refuse service would transfer to the city upon annexation; electrical service would remain with Flathead Electric and gas with Northwestern Energy. Fire and police jurisdiction would transition from county to city but staff told commissioners the park—if left as open space—would place minimal new demands on public safety and transportation. If future park facilities or uses produce more than 300 vehicle trips per day, a traffic impact study would be required.

A number of neighbors spoke during public comment, asking principally about traffic on nearby routes (Bluestone Drive, Seventh Avenue and Sunnyside Drive), pedestrian safety, and the potential effect of park traffic crossing neighborhood streets. Doug Andrews, a resident who said the project lies in his neighborhood, called the park “a great benefit” but urged planning for traffic and cut-through routes. Commissioners asked staff how the 300-trip threshold would be determined; staff replied they would use the Institute for Transportation Engineers trip‑generation manual to assess trip generation as uses are added.

After public comment the commission moved and passed motions recommending annexation (KA-25-07) with initial P-1 zoning and rezoning of the 10.55 acres from B-1 to P-1 (KZC-25-01). Both recommendations will be heard by the Kalispell City Council on Sept. 2.

The staff report attached site maps, noted the property’s former lumber-mill uses and described the proposal as a transition from obsolete industrial uses to protected public space. Staff recommended approval, saying the change would allow long‑term management of wetlands and riparian features along Ashley Creek and improve neighborhood livability by preserving open space.