Kalispell council annexes 33.5 acres at Snowline Lane for planned Flathead County public safety facility

Kalispell — The Kalispell City Council on Monday unanimously adopted Resolution 6298 to annex 33.5 acres at 225 Snowline Lane and place the property in P‑1 Public zoning to accommodate a proposed Flathead County Public Safety Facility, city staff said.

The annexation, which the city said does not constitute approval of the detention center project itself, covers a site the county purchased in February 2024. PJ Sorensen, assistant director of development services, told the council the planned facility would be about 118,000 square feet, mostly single story, with nearly 200 general housing beds and 42 beds dedicated to medical and behavioral health needs, along with roughly 30,000 square feet for courtroom and sheriff operations.

"The planned facility will be approximately a 118,000 square feet that [is] primarily single level to enhance security and efficiency," Sorensen said. He added the site was chosen for direct highway access, separation from dense residential areas and capacity for future expansion.

The Kalispell Planning Commission adopted the staff report (transcript reference: staff report 2508) as findings of fact and forwarded a recommendation to annex the property with initial P‑1 zoning. Sorensen said the city received one written comment on the application.

Councilor Hunter asked what would happen if the county's jail bond does not pass. "They haven't indicated at this point," Sorensen replied. "If they decided to go in a different direction, it would be annexed," and any future development would be subject to city development standards. Sorensen and others noted government entities do not pay property taxes but would be responsible for impact fees and assessments.

Councilor Dowd said he supported annexation regardless of the bond outcome, saying it prevents future septic systems and ensures a continuous municipal boundary. "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," Dowd said.

Councilor Dahlman moved to adopt Resolution 6298, which describes the parcel as "parcel B of certificate of survey number 23135" and seeks to amend the official zoning map (City of Kalispell Zoning Ordinance, Ordinance No. 1677) to zone the property P‑1 Public. The motion was seconded and the council conducted a roll‑call vote; Council President Graham and Councilors Dowd, Dahlman, Fisher, Hunter, Nunnally and Carlson voted "aye." The motion carried unanimously.

City staff emphasized that annexation provides municipal service jurisdiction and enables the standard permitting and site‑review process; the annexation itself does not represent final approval of building permits, site design or the detention facility's construction timeline.

In other business, City Manager Jared Nygren told the council there will be a work session next Monday on the central garage and that Susie Turner will act as manager in his absence; an executive session will follow the work session. Nygren also noted recent shifts in assessed values that have reduced residential taxable values while commercial taxable values have increased, saying the changes reflect state law and not local action.

The council adjourned after brief closing remarks and election‑day reminders from members.