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Kalispell council adopts zoning and PUD for Vista Ridge Cottages, 96 units on 15.78 acres
Summary
The Kalispell City Council approved Ordinance 1934 on second reading to rezone 15.778 acres for a 96-unit planned unit development at 4892 Mile Drive. The measure passed after one councilor reiterated floodplain concerns.
The Kalispell City Council on March 17 adopted Ordinance 1934 on second reading to rezone 15.778 acres at 4892 Mile Drive for the Vista Ridge Cottages planned unit development, allowing 96 housing units.
Council President Graham opened the item as the ordinance returned for a required second reading after an earlier 8–1 first-reading vote. City staff recommended passage. "Otherwise, we'd recommend passage of this ordinance," City staff member Russell said during the presentation.
The ordinance rezones the property to RA-1 (residential apartment) with a planned unit development overlay and cites the Kalispell Growth Policy Plan 2035 as guiding policy. The legal description on the ordinance identifies the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter and the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 12, Township 28 North, Range 22 West, PMM, Flathead County, more particularly Tract 2 of Certificate of Survey 20690, containing 15.778 acres, more or less.
Public comment included one question from resident Arthur Fratheim about how many of the 96 units would be full-time residences versus short-term rentals; staff said that allocation could not be determined at this stage. The council then took up the motion to adopt Ordinance 1934, moved by Councilor Gabriell (Gabriel) and seconded (recorded in the minutes as "Second").
Council discussion was brief. Councilor Hunter, who voted against the ordinance at first reading, reiterated his opposition, citing that much of the development lies within the 100-year floodplain and expressing concern about placing fill on the floodplain and potential downstream risks in the watershed. "They put fill on the flood plain, and that could have potential risks," Hunter said, and he announced he would not support the ordinance.
A roll-call vote followed. Councilors Dahlmann, Fisher, Nunnally, Carlson, Gabriel, Dowd and Council President Graham voted yes; Councilor Hunter voted no. The motion carried.
What happens next: The ordinance will take effect per its stated effective date in the text of the adopted ordinance.
