Planning commission recommends approval of Silver Brook Village PUD amendment

The Kalispell City Planning Commission voted unanimously Aug. 12 to recommend that the City Council approve KPUD-25-03, an amendment to the Silver Brook planned unit development that would allow a mix of 198 condominium units and about 20,400 square feet of neighborhood-business space on roughly 11.7 acres at 441–465 Diamond Peak Drive.

The amendment would keep the parcel’s underlying B-1 (neighborhood business) zoning with the PUD overlay and increase density within the larger Silver Brook development. Planning staff told commissioners the growth policy supports neighborhood commercial and high-density residential uses at the site and that city utilities, including sewer and water, are available in adjacent rights-of-way.

Staff recommended approval, noting the proposal remains “substantially consistent” with the growth policy and the Silver Brook PUD. The plan calls for a mix of two-unit townhomes on the western edge of the site, mixed-use buildings with retail or office on the ground floor and housing above toward the center, row-house condominiums and larger condominium buildings closer to the highway. The development layout includes sidewalks, internal pedestrian connections and two on-site park areas totaling about 0.85 acres, plus clubhouse and amenity space intended to meet the multifamily recreational standard.

City staff said the project would tie into an existing stormwater system and an existing private storm pond; they recommended a condition requiring review of drainage capacity so the existing pond can serve the new lots. The applicant’s consultant, Mike Brody of WTM, asked the commission to clarify staff condition 6 so that it does not require rebuilding an existing, functioning stormwater pond that has been in place and vegetated for years.

Traffic and access are part of the staff analysis. The applicant submitted a traffic impact study prepared in June 2025 that recommended a new eastbound right-turn lane at the intersection of Church Drive and the Highway 93 southbound ramps per Montana Department of Transportation criteria; MDT approval would be required for that improvement. The proposal also calls for angled parking in a public right-of-way (Central Road) and staff advised conditions that would include a long-term maintenance agreement for striping and signage if angled parking is incorporated.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about school district boundaries, the on-street angled parking and the stormwater condition. Staff emphasized that school district boundaries are independent of city limits and that the developer must meet the city’s multifamily standards for open space and recreational amenities. After public comment from the applicant’s consultant clarifying the existing pond’s capacity, Commissioner Mike Brody moved to adopt the staff report as findings of fact and recommend approval; the motion was seconded and carried in a roll-call vote with all commissioners present voting aye.

The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the Kalispell City Council for final action at its Sept. 2 meeting.