Kalispell council annexes 33.5 acres for Flathead County public safety facility

The Kalispell City Council voted unanimously Nov. 3 to annex 33.5 acres at 225 Snowline Lane and adopt initial P-1 public zoning to enable a proposed Flathead County public safety facility, including a detention center and sheriff's headquarters.

Assistant Director of Development Services PJ Sorensen told the council the application before them covered only annexation and zoning, not project approval: "this application and review was limited to is limited to the annexation and zoning of the property and is not a review or approval of the project itself." Sorensen said Flathead County purchased the property in February 2024 and selected the site for its highway access, distance from dense residential areas and capacity for future expansion.

Sorensen described the planned facility as about 118,000 square feet, primarily single level, with nearly 200 general housing beds, 42 beds dedicated to medical and behavioral health needs, and roughly 30,000 square feet for courtroom functions and sheriff's operations including patrol, investigations, training, evidence storage and emergency services. He said the parcel sits just off U.S. Highway 93 South, northwest of Old School Station, lies within the city's annexation boundary and would connect to city water, sewer and solid waste; electric service would be by Flathead Electric, natural gas by Northwestern Energy and telecommunications by Lumen.

The Kalispell Planning Commission adopted staff report K-2508 as findings of fact and recommended annexation with P-1 zoning. Sorensen said intersection upgrades and all service extensions would be reviewed with later permitting. He noted the council received one written comment on the proposal.

Council discussion focused on municipal control of land use regardless of the project's funding outcome. Councilor Dowd said annexation was appropriate "regardless of what happens with this property, whether the levy passes or not," adding that "it is a little pocket of county out there surrounded by city that needs to be brought into the city anyway so that we can avoid septic and stuff being put in there in the future." Another councilor described the request as a "pretty simple straightforward annexation" and supported bringing the parcel into city limits.

Councilor Dahlman moved to adopt Resolution 6298 to alter city boundaries by annexing the described parcel and amend the official zoning map to P-1 public; the motion was seconded and approved by roll-call vote with each councilor present voting "aye." The council then closed that agenda item.

The annexation brings the parcel under city development standards and would require all public-works connections and permits to meet city requirements; Sorensen emphasized that the annexation decision does not authorize construction of the detention facility itself and that later approvals, funding decisions and permitting would be required before any building occurs.

What happens to the site if Flathead County does not proceed with the jail was raised during questions. Sorensen said the county had not indicated an alternate plan and that, if used for another purpose, the land would remain in the city and be subject to city development standards and impact fees.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 6298 (annexation and P-1 initial zoning for 225 Snowline Lane) — adopted on Nov. 3, 2025; roll-call vote recorded as unanimous among councilors present.